http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041205a1.htm

GSDF officer involved in LDP's draft for constitutional revision

A senior officer in the Ground Self-Defense Force has compiled a draft plan for revising the Constitution to authorize the existence of a "military force" and enable the nation to engage in collective defense, it was learned Saturday.
The officer submitted the plan in October to Gen Nakatani, a former Defense Agency chief who currently heads a Liberal Democratic Party committee tasked with drafting the party's proposal for a constitutional amendment, according to sources familiar with the case.

All of the basic points contained in the officer's draft were subsequently reflected in the outline of the party's proposal for changing the Constitution, which was compiled last month.

The officer was identified as a lieutenant colonel assigned to the Plans and Operations Department of the Ground Staff Office.

The LDP plans to finalize its proposal for a constitutional amendment in November 2005, when the party marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Nakatani, a uniformed SDF officer before he was elected to the House of Representatives, confirmed that he had asked the GSDF officer to single out problems of the current Constitution from the viewpoint of national security as he was trying to put together the LDP's policy outline.

"I asked for his help so that I can study the matter as a politician. I requested that he do so in my private capacity, and I don't see any problem," said Nakatani, who headed the Defense Agency between 2001 and 2002.

However, involvement by a uniformed SDF officer in the ruling party's policymaking process in a highly sensitive issue such as amending the Constitution could stir up controversy, especially in light of the postwar principle of civilian control of the military.

A senior Justice Ministry official well versed in constitutional issues said that if the officer compiled the draft in his official capacity as an SDF member, he may have violated a public servant's duty to comply with the Constitution.

The draft proposal submitted to Nakatani, a copy of which has been obtained by Kyodo News, is titled "Constitution draft" and bears the name of the GSDF officer and his officer contact number.

While the draft says Japan will "renounce the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes," it calls on the nation to possess a military force for the defense of the country.

The war-renouncing Article 9 of the current Constitution says that "land, sea and air forces and other war potential will never be maintained."

The draft also says the military force will be able to engage in collective defense so that it can take part in collective security frameworks. The government has interpreted the current Constitution as banning the nation from exercising its right o collective defense.

The lieutenant colonel also prepared a document titled "other issues that should be included," which advises against a draft system for compulsory military service. This too was reflected in the LDP's revision outline.

The Japan Times: Dec. 5, 2004

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