An alleged Korean Crisis is loudly campaigned in mass media lately, confusing and manipulating public opinions. Prime Minister, in the midst of the propagandists’ claims, has declared to change Article Nine by the year 2020. Meanwhile, however, in the presidential election in the Republic of Korea (ROK) the candidate Moon Jae-in has won, who relies on a policy to have dialogues with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). What do the developments mean?


DON’T LET ABE GOVERNMENT USE KOREAN CRISIS!


Government Campaigns Possibility of War


The nation’s war mechanism, which has become more geared up for contingency and been better arranged since the Korean crisis in 1994, has begun to function in the current crisis.


The first is that Japan’s military force defends US ships; in accordance with the war legislation the Self Defense Forces (SDF) of Japan defends US weapons on its naval vessels. Separately, the Maritime SDF conducted joint maneuvers with the strike group of aircraft carrier Carl Vinson. If tension goes higher, a joint exercise could be converted to a phase for the SDF to defend US weaponry.


Minister of Defense is able to make a decision on this phase without a Diet’s approval while tension remains in a gray zone. Recently Premier Abe refused to reply to a question in the Diet which asked for what ‘defense’ he meant.


The government ordered municipalities across the nation April 21 to react to a crisis of ‘a missile landing’ and broadcast about ‘measures’ to be taken through the ‘portal site to protect people’. This means implementation of the Civil Protection Law. The ACSA, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (to supply ammunition and fuel to the US military) provided in the contingency act, is on the agenda for amendment.


A big difference, compared with the 1994 crisis, lies in a fact that the Japanese government itself campaigns a war in front of people. The biggest performer on the theater is Prime Minister Abe in addition to the vulgar, agitating TV coverage.


He has referred to peace supported by military might in a series of occasions: in the joint press meeting on February 10 with US President Donald Trump in which the both leaders accused the missiles of DPRK, a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence in April and the recent telephone conversation with President Trump.


Premier Abe keeps his idea in secret, which is the most important, though. He repeats demagogues of ‘peace supported by military capabilities’. His logic clearly lies on the completely opposite side of the principle of Article Nine.


Evacuation of 60 Thousands of People


Finally on May 3, on the Day of Constitution, he stated to ‘amend Article Nine by the year 2020’, discarding prudence and a revision plan of the Constitution. Premier Abe, apparently, wants to take advantage of the current crisis around the Korean Peninsula to the maximum extent.


The prime minister is well aware of risks of his statements. He never links the Korean crisis directly with amendment of Article Nine. He knows condemnation that certainly comes from the ROK if he expresses about a tragedy of Korean people caused by the militarist expansion of Japan.


In mid April the ROK’s foreign ministry spokesperson advised cautiously the Japanese government to ‘restrain from statements which lead to misunderstanding among people and affect negatively on peace and safety in the Peninsula region’. The Japanese government proposed to rely on US military in the attempt to rescue 60 thousand Japanese citizens staying in ROK as the SDF’s aircraft and ships are to be refused by the ROK authorities.


In ROK people remember as own experiences the Korean War fought in the 1950s and are not complacency about peace. People reject provocations and arguments which might lead to a war. In the 1994 crisis a war was averted by the then-President Kim Young-sam who persuaded the US counterpart President Clinton. Candidate Moon gained a great victory in the recent election who declared to have a dialogue with Mr. Kim Jong-Un and disagree on the deployment of THAAD missile system inside the country.


Mr. Abe is probably in trouble as he cut off his way to retreat.




May 23, 2017