LDP gets inside track for passage of security Bills

TOKYO — The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito yesterday agreed on a plan to pass controversial security Bills into law with a vote in the Upper House, rather than send them back to the more powerful Lower House for passage under a special law-making provision.

The agreement between LDP secretary-general Sadakazu Tanigaki and Komeito counterpart Yoshihisa Inoue is apparently driven by the ruling coalition’s desire to avoid giving the impression that it is pushing the Bills through again after having earlier done so in the Lower House amid strong public opposition.

The coalition officials met in Tokyo as speculation grew that the Bills, introduced by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in pushing for greater overseas roles for the nation’s Self-Defense Forces, may be put to a vote in the Upper House on Sept 14 or later.

A constitutional provision allows the Lower House to enact legislation with two-thirds majority support in a second vote if the Upper Chamber fails to vote on it within 60 days of receiving it from the Lower Chamber. The provision will be applicable to the security Bills from Sept 14.

The LDP-Komeito coalition controls more than two-thirds of the 475-seat Lower House. The ruling coalition also controls a majority in the 242-seat Upper House.

If enacted, the new legislation will put into effect a landmark Cabinet decision in July last year that reinterpreted the Constitution to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defence, or coming to the aid of the United States and other friendly nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not attacked. It would also enable Tokyo to increase its contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, the government says.

Some LDP lawmakers have said an Upper House special committee on security legislation should put the Bills to a vote as early as Sept 11. They argue that, without an early vote, it would be difficult for the ruling camp to pass the Bills into law before the current extended parliamentary session expires on Sept 27.

Polls show a majority of Japanese people oppose the Bills. KYODO NEWS