Protect Japan’s Characteristic Pacifism, Contribute to Peace

Published in Ehime Shimbun
(Japan) on 21 September 2015
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Maisha Kuniyuki. Edited by Rachel Pott.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s real aim is to be able to provide unhindered support in U.S.-led military conflicts, following the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. He has been pushing for Japan to become a “normal” country that actively makes military contributions and participates in war.

It is obvious, however, that the security policies rely on military force and do not contribute to peace. History provides a clear reminder of the faults of such policies.

The U.S. invited in a new terror threat by unjustly sacrificing many civilian lives in the Iraq War. Because the U.S. struggles with large military expenditures and the loss of international trust, it welcomes the enactment of this new legislation with open arms. Japan’s compliance is the best help it could have asked for. Regardless, it is both dangerous and foolish to run headfirst into cooperative policies without taking the Iraq War into consideration.

The Abe administration is vocal about the threat China’s growing military strength poses. It continues to clamor for the ability to deter attacks and continues to abandon efforts at dialogue and peace diplomacy. Mutual antagonism will only escalate China’s military expansion and is liable to destabilize the situation in Asia.

Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution throws aside war, creating an irreplaceable image for Japan as a nation that will remain neutral and never take a life. This image protects many NGOs and allows them to provide a wide variety of support to troubled areas, such as medicine and education. If the Japan Self-Defense Forces carry weapons and fight alongside the militaries of other countries, Japan will be seen as an enemy and the safety of those Japanese who provide support abroad will be in danger. It is very likely that this will only perpetuate the chain of hatred.

Last spring, in conjunction with security legislation, the Abe administration ended the Three Principles on Arms Exports ban. The government plans to establish a defense equipment agency in October. It will be an external bureau of the Defense Ministry and aim to ensure the efficient supply, development and export of weapons. Recently, the Japan Business Federation proposed that the government promote the export of defense equipment as a national strategy. Lending a willing hand to military expansion under the guise of proactive pacifism, however, is absolutely inexcusable.

For 20 years now, the international community has been advocating for a guarantee of human security, so a person’s livelihood and pride will be free from any threat that may attempt to steal them away, such as war and poverty. The military strength of a nation or the guarantee of security from an ally has come to be relied upon. The present security legislation goes against the trend of activities to which the U.N. has been central.

There are many challenges today, from terrorism — which has roots in problems like environmental destruction, poverty and discrimination — to the increase in refugees. It is therefore important to focus international efforts on mediating between disputing countries and to aim toward resolutions achieved with dialogue and assistance. If we invest large sums in medicine, environmental protection and education rather than weapons development and defense, we will become trustworthy partners and the possibility of attack will be reduced.

Japan does not need to become a “normal” country that can participate in war. It should promote peace and keep its irreplaceable image as a pacifist nation.


平和貢献 非戦貫く「日本ブランド」を守れ

 安全保障関連法の成立で自衛隊の海外での活動は大きく広がる。集団的自衛権行使の容認により、日本が攻撃されていなくても、地球の裏側で起きた紛争であっても、政府の判断で武力行使が認められる。
 安倍晋三首相の真の狙いは、日米防衛協力指針(ガイドライン)に沿って、米軍の戦いを切れ目なく支援することである。戦争に参加できる「普通の国」になって積極的に軍事貢献するために突き進んできた。
 しかし、軍事力頼みの安全保障政策が平和に貢献できないことは明らかだ。その過ちは歴史が証明しているという事実を、肝に銘じなければならない。
 米国は大義なきイラク戦争で多くの市民を犠牲にし、新たなテロの脅威を招いた。巨額の軍事費に苦しみ、国際的信頼を失った米国にとって、日本の追従は願ってもない助けであり、法成立をもろ手を挙げて歓迎するのはそのためだ。にもかかわらず、イラク戦争の検証もせず、ひたすら協力に走る政策は危険で愚かだと言わざるを得ない。
 安倍政権は軍事力を増強する中国の脅威を声高に唱え、対話や平和外交の努力を置き去りに抑止力強化を叫び続ける。対抗し合うことで軍拡がエスカレートし、かえってアジア情勢を不安定化しかねない。
 戦争放棄を示した憲法9条は紛争に対して中立であり決して人を殺さないという、かけがえのない「日本ブランド」だ。紛争地の医療や教育など幅広い分野で活動する非政府組織(NGO)は、その信頼に守られ支援を続けてきた。自衛隊が武器を持ち他国軍と行動を共にすれば敵国とみなされ、活動する邦人の安全が危うくなる。憎悪の連鎖を生むことを強く危惧する。
 安保法制と連動して安倍政権は昨春、武器輸出三原則に基づく禁輸政策を撤廃させた。来月には防衛省の外局である防衛装備庁を発足させ、武器の効率的な調達や開発、輸出を目指す。経団連はこのほど、防衛装備品の輸出を国家戦略として推進するよう政府に求める提言を行った。「積極的平和主義」との欺瞞(ぎまん)の下、軍拡に進んで手を貸すことは断じて許されない。
 国際社会では20年も前から、国家の軍事力や同盟国に頼る安全保障に代わり、戦争や貧困、生活や誇りを奪う全ての脅威からの解放を目指す「人間の安全保障」が提唱されている。国連を軸にした活動の潮流に、今回の安保法制は逆行している。
 環境破壊や貧困、差別、それらに端を発するテロの台頭、難民増大など難題があふれる今。紛争国の仲介をし、対話や支援で解決を目指す国際貢献こそ必要だ。武器開発や防衛費に巨額を費やす代わりに医学や環境保護、教育に使い、信頼できるパートナーになれば、攻撃される可能性は少なくなる。
 戦争ができる「普通の国」になど、ならなくていい。非戦を貫き平和貢献する、かけがえのない国でありたい。
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