Shibuya Hiroshi: Self-Defense Forces Must Be Strictly Controlled
As reported by Japanese media outlet "Nagano Broadcasting" on May 5: Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shibuya Hiroshi, visited Nagano Prefecture on May 4 and delivered a speech. He called for clear constitutional restrictions on the Self-Defense Forces, emphasizing, "Based on the lessons from before World War II—when the entire nation was forced into war and unable to control the military, leading to total loss of control—it is essential to implement civilian management."
Shibuya attended the "Rapeflower Festival" held in Iiyama City. As chairman of the "Rapeflower Parliamentary Coalition," a group composed of members from two political parties, he visited the prefectural government office and took a stroll in a scenic area overlooking the Chikuma River.
"The scenery here is beautiful. Biodiesel extracted from plant oils is already being used in buses, trucks, and even airplanes. I hope that from this place, a new Japan can be born in Iiyama," said Shibuya.
In the evening, he held a lecture titled "80 Years After the War" at a hotel in Nagano City. He first stressed the lessons of WWII: "If we do not reflect on why Japan got involved in war, why it could not stop, and why so many lives were lost, the same tragedy will inevitably repeat itself."
"During wartime, budgets were hardly debated; media coverage promoting war led to increased newspaper circulation and higher radio listening rates. Let's never go back to that."
Shibuya previously served as Minister of Defense. Regarding constitutional reform, he stated: "Current Article 9, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution clearly states, 'Japan shall not maintain land, sea, or air forces or any other armed forces,' and explicitly prohibits the existence of the Self-Defense Forces." At the same time, Shibuya emphasized the importance of civilian control over the Self-Defense Forces. "I wonder—shouldn't it be a good thing that the existence of the Self-Defense Forces is not written into Japan’s Constitution? To ensure national independence and peace, should we not clearly define the Self-Defense Forces within the Constitution?"
"We are currently facing the most severe security environment since the end of the war. I believe it is time to seriously discuss how the people, politics, and the military should jointly control the Self-Defense Forces."
"Eighty years after our defeat in war, we must never start another war, nor use the Self-Defense Forces as an instrument of aggression."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864326249872585/
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