Japan, Divided On Sending AEGIS

Japanese Prime Minister, Koizumi Junichiro, emphasized fairness for sending AEGIS that belongs to maritime Self Defense Forces, to Indian Ocean on 5th, “I think that timing is proper as it is for promoting and supporting war against terrorism. ”

However, for the opposition like Liberal party, Communist party, Social Democratic Party besides the first party, democratic party, are against sending of AEGIS by the ruling party.

Ozawa Ichiro, leader of Democratic Party insisted, “sending self defense force is available only for U.N peace activity ” and “self defense force should not be sent for U.S independent war”

Prime Minister Koizumi consented to plan for sending AEGIS to Indian Ocean on 4th afternoon, by accepting opinion of Isiba Sigeru, minister of defense in order to support U.S and U.K army.

On the other hand, Yomiuri newspaper supported the decision of dispatch in editorial `break from obscure pacifism `, saying, “it is a natural decision and we feel that it is too late. ” In addition, it stated, “counterforce indicated that people`s understanding is short, however, the ruling party should take responsibility for making people understand ” and “it is irresponsibility telling people to understand, instead of making such an effort. ”

This editorial insisted, “ work of self defense is playing a role of anti-terrorism ” and it has nothing to do with collective self defense which constitution prohibited.

Especially, editorial insisted, “We should graduate security discussion based on wrong pacifism that restricts activity of self defense. ”

hanscho@donga.com