I am amazed to see Ms. Mizuho Fukushima keep participating actively in the political arena since March 11 last year. Although I am somewhat reluctant to vote for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), I would like to vote for Ms. Mizuho Fukushima. In the original article Ms. Mizuho Fukushima is introduced next to Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai. I would like to introduce Ms. Fukushima first, in reverse order because I think that there is no point in listening to Ms. Sakurai’s view. According to Mr. Kyosuke Yamashina’s blog that Mr. Ichiro Iiyama recommends to read, he sends hearty cheers to “Mizuhotan.” If they have a mascot doll “Mizuhotan” come out in the election, she will win.
Masatoshi Takeshita
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$([{£¥‘“〈《「『【〔＄（［｛｢￡￥
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English translation of a Japanese article: BIGLOBE News (Sankei Shimbun) – August 31, 2012 –
“Article
9 of the Constitution” In The News – Talks by Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai and Ms.
Mizuho Fukushima
We have faced many issues on the Northern
Territories, the Senkaku Islands and the Takeshima Islands. In the midst of invasion of traditional
Japanese territories by neighboring countries, Article 9 of the Constitution
has been in the news anew. I wonder if
we can protect our country under the name of “Peace Constitution” which stipulates
the non-possession of arms. We asked Ms.
Yoshiko Sakurai, a journalist, and Ms. Mizuho Fukushima, SDP leader, what they
think. (Interviewer: Shinji Naito)
Ms. Mizuho Fukushima (left) & Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai(right)
■Ms.
Mizuho Fukushima: “It is questionable to
invoke the right of self-defense in Senkaku.”
Q: What is the significance of Article 9?
“Without Article 9, Japan would be a
country which is allowed to fight wars.
Like Korea which had youth join an army in Vietnam, Japan should have
sent the young to a battlefield. Korean troops
are hated in Vietnam. We can boast of
the fact that Japan has killed nobody in any war in the postwar period. When Japan is forced to join in a war as a
result of involvement in the interest of the U.S., we can say “No” to the U.S.,
which is the usefulness Article 9 has.”
●We are not attacked if we observe Article
9.
Q: How should we cope with an attack by
another country?
“It is unthinkable that any country will
attack the country with Article 9 stipulating “no invasion of the world.” If any country should attack such pacifist
country, the country would be criticized by the world.”
Q: Is it unlikely that the Senkaku islands
will be invaded by the Chinese government?
“The Senkaku islands belong to a civilian. Invasion is equivalent to infringement of
ownership and invasion of territory. As Japan
and China have built an economically close relationship now (as of July 27), I
wonder if the Chinese government can take a step to wage a war.”
Q: There is a plan to get the Self-Defense
Forces (SDF) permanently stationed in the Senkaku islands.
“We should not compound the problem
further. There is no doubt that Senkaku
is the territory of Japan. We have the
Japan Coast Guard (JCG). We don’ need to
station the SDF there.
●SDF dispatch to foreign countries is
against the constitution.
Q: When the Senkaku islands are attacked,
is SDF dispatch equivalent to the use of right in self-defense?
“Like self-defense is justified by criminal
law, Japan has the right to individual self-defense. If Shikoku or Kyushu is attacked,
counterattack is acceptable. However, nobody
lives in Senkaku. Therefore, we should
treat it in a calm manner as the issue over territory, not as that over right
to individual self-defense or Article 9.”
Q: Specifically?
“We should resolve the problem at
international negotiating table. We also
need diplomatic efforts to forestall an invasion.”
Q: When you were a Cabinet minister, you
were asked about the constitutionality of the SDF in the Diet and you responded
that SDF was “constitutional.
“The SDP has not responded about
constitutionality of SDF. We consider
that the SDF dispatch to foreign countries is “unconstitutional.” It is necessary to reorganize the SDF and
review its scale. Is it necessary to
deploy this many tanks to Hokkaido after the collapse of the Soviet Union? Their duties should be shifted more to
disaster-relief activities.”
Q: In the time of Tomiichi Murayama
administration, SDP indicated the party’s view that SDF is “constitutional.”
“The party’s view on SDF and security was included
in SDP Declaration, which was compiled in 2006.
The view has been maintained.”
Q: Give us your determination to attain
peace.
“My father was a survivor of a Kamikaze
squad. When I was a child, I used to see
him cry on the anniversary of the end of World War II. It is ordinary people like him that get hurt
in war. We should cherish the Peace
Constitution and our pledge that we will never wage war, both of which we have
got as the price for defeat in war.”
■Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai: “No revision is
betrayal to the people of Japan.”
Q:
About Article 9
“The article should be revised
promptly. The main reason is that
self-defense right is not stipulated in it.
In my draft proposal it is stipulated that “Japan has Defense Forces to
protect the country’s independence and safety as well as the people.”
○Do China, South Korea and Russia have
justice?
Q: Can we protect our soil from other
countries with the philosophy of Article 9?
“The preamble to the Constitution and
Article 9 should be thought of as one.
The preamble says “We have determined to preserve our security and
existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the
world.” I wonder where on the earth we
can find the fairness and faith of China, South Korea and Russia. As long as we watch the movement of the three
countries, the preamble and Article 9 should be interpreted as abdication of
responsibility and nothing but betrayal to the people of Japan.”
Q:
After the war, there were not a few politicians who claimed “If we
observe Article 9, we will not be attacked by foreign countries.”
“If any politician mentions such kind of
opinion, he/she will be laughingstock of the international society. Politicians have the responsibility of
protecting the people’s life and Japan’s territorial soil/sea, that is, protect
national interests. If we take no
measures under the premise that the other party will not attack us, it is the
height of intellectual laziness.”
Q: How should we govern the Senkaku?
“We should have policemen and researchers
permanently stationed there to realize visibly effective control, and have the
Japan Coast Guard take responsibility of security of surrounding sea. SDF should be at sea a little far away from them to promptly cope
with any emergency.”
Q: What is the influence of Article 9 on
Japanese after the war?
“Not a few people born after the war have
had a gruesome impression on SDF and armament immediately after hearing such topics
talked about. I feel that the Japanese “way
to live as responsible person” has been denied and we have become Japanese
different than what we should be.”
Q: We have a strong impression that
national defense depends on the U.S.
“If anything should happen, we ask whether
the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is applied or not before discussing “what we
should do to resolve it by our own efforts.”
On the other hand, some claim “We don’t like Ospreys” or “Eliminate
bases.” I am worried that it is an
abject and self-centered way of thinking.”
○Don’t evade discussing nuclear armament.
Q: How should we discuss national defense?
“Anti-nuke movements have been active now,
but we should not evade discussing even nuclear armament. We have to recognize that we live in an age
when it is likely that nuclear weapons will fall into the hands of
terrorists. The nation should think
about every possible means for “ultimate goal of survival.”
Q: Some say that Japanese have weak sense
of self-defense. Should we have a draft
system like in South Korea?
““Duty to serve for the public” should be
included in the Constitution. We should
have obligation to serve for others, the public, or Japan for several years,
wherever it may be; in SDF, fire department, Japan Coast Guard, or welfare workplace.
[Profile] Mizuho Fukushima
She was born in Miyazaki Pref. in 1955,
aged 56. She graduated from the Faculty
of Law, Tokyo University. She is a
lawyer and a House of Councilors member (elected three times). After serving as Secretary General of SDP,
she has served as the party’s leader since 2003. She held a position such as Minister in
charge of responding consumer and population issues (in the Hatoyama
Cabinet). She is currently a member of the
Constitution Review Board, House of Councilors.
She has written books such as “Let’s stop the gap between the rich and
the poor, and wars with the Constitution in your hands” and others.
[Profile Yoshiko Sakurai]
She was born in Vietnam in 1945, aged
66. She, a journalist, graduated from
the Faculty of Historical Science, Hawaii University. She serves as Chairman of Japan Institute for
National Fundamentals, and Representative of “Advisory Panel of Well-Informed
Independent Personalities on ‘21st Japan and Constitution’” (a
private temporary Constitution investigation committee). She has written books such as “Be graceful,
strong and beautiful – Restoration of Japan Starts with Amending the Constitution
– and others.
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