Japanese are opposed to security bill: Commentator
Press TV has interviewed Michael Penn, a Tokyo-based journalist and political commentator, to discuss a security bill that could authorize Japanese military to fight abroad for the first time in decades.
The following is a rough transcription of the interview.
Press TV: Michael good to have you with us. Definitely, a transition in the making when we look at a nation that has taken a route of pacifism for many, many decades and now possibility of actually sending troops abroad not even if Tokyo itself is being directly threatened. Tell me the take on the ground over out there.
Penn: Well among the general public there is a strong opposition to this move as reflected in the fact that tens of thousands of people are turning out around Japan’s Diet Building, its parliament, to oppose what is happening and the fierce scenes of resistance you see among the opposition lawmakers also reflect that and they reflect the fact that the opposition lawmakers understand that the public is behind them even if they have no way of winning the vote within the Diet Building.
Press TV: Tell me the likely repercussions if this actually passes. How would we see it?
Penn: Well I think there will be repercussions in Japanese political culture because you know the public is making its opinion very clear and yet that opinion is being brushed aside and I think there is going to be something of a deflation of spirit among the Japanese as they you know absorb the fact that even when the public speaks out so clearly, it can just be you know the government is not going to listen to them.
So I do think that there is going to be some serious organizing towards elections next year, but at the same time, once the bill has been passed and once the law has been changed, there is not much that can be done about it in any kind of month-long scheduling; would take years at least.
ICC's arrest warrant for Netanyahu to worry Western politicians: Former British diplomat
Former FBI agent criticizes US Congress for 'outright corruption'
Professor Marandi: 'There's no chance for Israel to win in Lebanon'
What led to dilly-dallying in ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant
Palestinians flee Gaza City suburb after Israel issues forced evacuation order
Iran says will discuss key nuclear, regional issues with France, Germany, UK
VIDEO | Israeli archaeologist killed in Southern Lebanon
VIDEO | Israeli airstrike on Lebanon's army base kills soldier, injures 18 others
Sirens sound across Tel Aviv as Hezbollah fires barrage of missiles at Israeli target
Israeli ‘archeologist’ who toured south Lebanon in military uniform to falsify history
The importance of Venezuela for Iran
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
