Posted June. 06, 2003 22:19,
Japanese Assembly passed three bills of counter measures against invasion that stipulated how to respond to an outer armed invasion.
However, as these bills will be determined around the time President Roh makes his state visit to Japan, some people are criticizing the improper attitude among the Japanese. The Korean government sent its wish for delaying the passage for those three bills, only to be disregarded by Japan. This may be interpreted as effrontery towards a foreign country, and might affect President Roh`s itinerary in Japan.
The three bills earned a landslide victory with 202 approval votes from Japans three alliance parties and ruling and opposition parties.
With the passage of the bills, the Japanese Self Defense Forces would be able to occupy any private land in case of an emergency with the power to control local governing bodies and to mobilize public and private media.
Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi said: It is meaningful that the bills got a wide range of approval from parties. I would work to come up with counter measures against potential terrorism activities by supporting U.S. Forces here, showing a determination to establish a law to send the Japanese SDF to Iraq.