Recently, the Security Investigation Committee of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is said to have discussed the issue on changing the name and interpretation of “total defense”.

During the discussion, it was proposed to change “total defense” into an “active defense” which involves the “attack for self-defense” with an assertion that “‘minimum limit necessary’ is not good enough to be a deterrent and defend the nation.”

“Total defense” is a policy that has been advocated by the Japanese government as the “keynote of its defense policy” under Article 9 of the Constitution which states renunciation of war, waiver to the right of belligerency, etc.

This also constitutes legal and moral duty Japan has towards the international society so that it, as a defeated nation in the World War II, would not repeat its past of having inflicted terrible disasters upon humankind with aggression and war.

It is a universally recognized fact that Japan, in disregard of the above, has forcibly pushed ahead with its bid to become a military power while changing gradually the interpretation of its Constitution, and persisted with its attempt at military build-up including the dispatch of “Self-Defense Forces” overseas.

Japan is now arming its army, navy and air forces with the ultramodern military equipment under the pretext of “deteriorating security environment” and “threats” from the neighboring countries. Meanwhile, it is frequently staging offensive joint military exercises with the U.S. and several other countries.

Recently, situation came to this pass where it has become an established fact that it is trying to specify the possession of “capability to attack enemy base” in its “national security strategy.

What cannot be overlooked is that Japan is making much ado about “threat” from our country and other neighboring countries in an attempt to justify such reckless moves of arms build-up.

Whenever we take self-defensive measures for enhancing national defense capability, Japan harps on about “provocation” and “threat”, making a fuss as if it was struck by a sudden bolt of lightning. Its ultimate ulterior objective is to justify and legitimate its unlawful and illegal moves towards becoming a military power.

The above facts lay bare once again the extent to which Japan, a war criminal state which has made persistent moves to nullify the “peace constitution” stipulating its permanent waiver to the right of belligerency and the right of entry into a war, is dead set on driving “Self Defense Forces” that were converted into offensive forces along the road of aggression unhesitatingly after shedding itself completely of the pretense of “defense”.

Japanese cunning farce of “name change” deceiving the world people will inevitably pay a due price.

The international society should be more vigilant against the dangerous military moves of Japan, wreaking havoc on the regional peace and stability.

Cha Hye Gyong

Researcher of Institute for Studies of Japan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPRK