On December 21, a number of DPJ Diet members, led by Next Minister of Defense Keiichiro Asao and Director of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense Yukihisa Fujita, submitted a DPJ proposal for a special measures law for Afghanistan reconstruction assistance, dubbed the “terrorism elimination bill” for short, to the House of Councillors. Following the submission of the legislation, the Diet members were joined by DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair Masuyuki Naoshima, and Next Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshio Hachiro for a press conference in which they emphasised the need for “spades rather than guns” and “water rather than oil”.

Naoshima explained that the DPJ proposal “aims to achieve Afghanistan reconstruction assistance, and in particular the rebuilding of people’s lives.” He referred to the 6 years of Japan Self Defense Force operations that had taken place under the authority of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, saying that during this time, “the situation in Afghanistan has become more difficult, and in addition to the devastation of that country, drought caused by a lack of water has become increasingly widespread, and agricultural land is being lost.” He explained that in view of these points, the DPJ legislation emphasised irrigation and repairing infrastructure.

Naoshima also urged the Japanese government to work actively to achieve a resolution of conflict and a ceasefire agreement. He expressed the opinion that until conflict had been resolved and an environment in which reconstruction assistance could be carried out can be realised, “there is no alternative but to continue for the time being with assistance activities that are focused on civilian efforts.” Naoshima added that the DPJ would call for the bill to be submitted to the relevant committee and debated as soon as possible.

Hachiro commented that the ruling parties had repeatedly urged the DPJ to submit a counterproposal to the New Anti-terrorism Special Measures Law. He said that now the proposal had been submitted, “we want it to be fully discussed even in the House of Councillors” and said that the DPJ would do its best to ensure that the New Anti-terrorism Special Measures Law was not passed by being approved again by the House of Representatives without further debate following the implementation of the 60 days rules.

Hachiro added, “We should live up to the people’s expectations and engage in thorough debate without taking any New Year’s holiday…If sufficient debate cannot be undertaken before [the end of the extended session] on January 15, debate should be continued in the ordinary Diet session, with discussion focusing on which of the two legislative proposals is supported by the public.” He said that the DPJ proposal was “the best and most suitable proposal for the true elimination of terrorism in Afghanistan” and stressed he was “convinced that it will be able to gain public approval.”

(07/12/21)