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Japan secrecy law sparks public outcry

TOKYO — A proposed state secrecy law in Japan that imposes stiffer penalties on bureaucrats who leak information — and journalists who seek it — is spurring a public outcry, with opponents blasting it as a heavy-handed effort to hide what the government is doing and restrict press freedom.

Demonstrators protesting against the Designated Secrets Bill in front of parliament of Japan in Tokyo. Photo: AP

Demonstrators protesting against the Designated Secrets Bill in front of parliament of Japan in Tokyo. Photo: AP

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TOKYO — A proposed state secrecy law in Japan that imposes stiffer penalties on bureaucrats who leak information — and journalists who seek it — is spurring a public outcry, with opponents blasting it as a heavy-handed effort to hide what the government is doing and restrict press freedom.

The public’s top concern is that the government will not say exactly what it wants to make secret. Critics say the law could allow the government to withhold information about whatever it wants and ultimately undermine Japan’s democracy.

The ruling party says the “secrecy protection” law, which the lower house of parliament could vote on as soon as today (Nov 26), is needed to allow the United States and other allies to share national security information with Japan. Along with the creation of a US-style National Security Council in his office, it is part of an effort by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to beef up Japan’s role in global security, and make a more authoritarian government at home.

The moves are welcomed by the US, which wants a stronger Japan to counter China’s military rise, but they raise fears in Japan that the country could be edging back toward its militaristic past, when authorities severely restrained free speech.

“My biggest concern is that it would be more difficult for the people to see the government’s decision-making process,” said Mr Kyouji Yanagisawa, a former top defence official who was in charge of national security at the Prime Minister’s Office from 2004-2009. “That means we can’t check how or where the government made mistakes, or help the government make a wise decision.”

The bill allows heads of government ministries and agencies to classify information related to defence, diplomacy, counterintelligence and counterterrorism, almost indefinitely.

Critics say that it might sway authorities to withhold more information about nuclear power plants, arguing they could become terrorist targets. Or they warn that officials may refuse to disclose key elements of free trade talks to protect concessions that would make Tokyo or a partner look bad.

At a public hearing in Fukushima yesterday, the only one held by the government just before the planned vote, lawyer Hiroyasu Maki said the bill’s definition of secrets is so vague and broad that it could easily be expanded to include radiation data crucial to the evacuation and health of the residents in the case of another nuclear crisis.

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers say Washington has repeatedly said that they feel insecure about sharing top security information with Japan due to its lack of legal protection for secrets. The US is worried about leaks to China, they say.

“(The bill) is by all means necessary to step up Japan’s intelligence levels. Many other countries already have legal framework like this but Japan does not,” said Mr Nobutaka Machimura, a senior ruling lawmaker and head of the party’s secrecy bill team. AP

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