Japanese Cabinet Approves Bill on SDF DispatchJapan's cabinet on Friday approved a bill to allow its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to provide rear-area logistical support in the event of an expected U.S.-led military retaliation over the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York.The bill, together with a separate legislation revision allowing the SDF to protect its own facilities as well as U.S. military bases in Japan, were submitted to the Diet later in the day. The bill on logistical support will allow Japan to dispatch the SDF to provide noncombat assistance, outlining what the SDF can do without infringing on the nation's war-renounced Constitution. The bill says that the SDF will conduct activities including providing supplies and services such as medical treatment to U.S. troops and its allies. It also says the SDF can engage in search and rescue operations and assist refugees. The bill bans the SDF from providing weapons and ammunition, but takes the position that transporting such items would be possible. One of the bill's key features is the expansion of situations where SDF troops can use weapons. While SDF personnel are only allowed to use weapons to defend themselves or protect fellow SDF personnel under the current legal framework, the new bill states it can also protect "those brought under one's care,'' such as refugees and injured soldiers. It also expands the SDF's activity area, which is limited under current laws to Japanese territory, waters and airspace in unspecified "areas surrounding Japan," by including other countries' territories. But the SDF can only operate in such territories if the country in question approves it and there is no conflict in the area, according to the bill. The bill will have a two-year time limit, although procedures can be taken to extend the term if the expected U.S.-led operation exceed that time frame. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its two coalition, including the New Komeito Party and the New Conservative Party, have already agreed on the two bills but the opposition parties are opposed to them in varying degrees. |
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