- Today, at the meeting of the Security Council of Japan and at the Cabinet meeting the Government decided upon a bill to amend the Law on the Establishment of the Security Council of Japan, the so-called "Bill to Respond to Armed Attacks," as well as the bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law.
- Responding to emergency situations is the most important responsibility of the state. In light of the series of terrorist attacks that took place in the United States last year and the incident involving an unidentified armed vessel, the Government is conducting a comprehensive review of its preparedness to respond to emergency situations and is taking steps so that as a nation, we can ensure our security and respond to any situations or events that could arise. The bills to be submitted to this session of the Diet will aim for the Government to ensure its preparedness to respond to emergency situations that could arise, as stated previously, while firmly maintaining its fundamental defense policy of an exclusively defense-oriented posture under the Constitution of Japan,
- The bill to amend the Law on the Establishment of the Security Council of Japan, will strengthen the functions of the Security Council of Japan by providing the modalities for an assessment to be made and response measures to be adopted as a nation in the event that any incident arises that amounts to a national emergency situation, as well as for comprehensive deliberations during times of peace on the response to be taken to a diverse range of incidents that could occur.
Furthermore, the "Bill to Respond to Armed Attacks" will stipulate the basic principles for response to armed attacks, the respective responsibilities of the national and the local governments, the areas in which the people will be called upon to cooperate and other fundamental items necessary in ensuring the preparedness of our country. Furthermore, the bill to amend the Self-Defense Forces Law will correct long-standing pending legislative issues regarding the activities of the Self-Defense Forces.
- Under the fundamental view of respecting the freedom and rights of the people, the "Bill to Respond to Armed Attacks" will promote the enactment of legislation designed to protect the lives, well-being and assets of the people, with incorporation of a target period of two years. Moreover, the bill stipulates that the necessary measures are to be taken in order to ensure that prompt and accurate responses can be made to emergency situations other than armed attacks.
- The Government will ensure that our country is prepared to respond to emergency situations and thus continue building our country as one in which the people can live in peace and at ease. This is to ensure the security of our country and its people in the event of emergency situations while at the same time enhance the credibility of Japan in the international community and provide a foundation for advancing international cooperation.
The Government expects to see prompt passage of the bills to be submitted to the Diet this time. I sincerely ask for the understanding and cooperation of the people of Japan for these efforts being taken by the Government in this regard.
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