Japan mulls collective self-defense options

TOKYO - A panel of experts convened by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to explore the issue of lifting the nation's self-imposed constitutional ban on the right of collective self-defense Wednesday proposed some ideas about the role the armed forces here could play if the ban were to be lifted.

The panel has been meeting since Sept 17 after talks were temporarily shelved on the issue to discuss what roles and actions would be theoretically permissible if Japan were to reinterpret its current pacifist Constitution.

The latest talks held Wednesday by the panel, comprised of both those in favor and against the notion of lifting the ban, suggested that in the event an ally of Japan was attacked, maritime forces could be deployed for weapons inspection duties and escorting hostile ships to ports in Japan.

In instances where key shipping lanes were to become hazardous due to overseas conflicts, the panel suggested Japanese Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces could be involved in mine sweeping and removal operations.

Other proposals included general military responses from units here in overseas conflicts that are deemed by Japan and its allies to affect and undermine global order.

The panel also traversed the issue of what actions could be taken against submarines that enter what Japan deems to be its territorial waters and refuse to navigate away following official warnings.

Under Japan's current Constitution, Japan is prohibited from using force to settle international disputes, but Abe is seeking to have the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution changed to strengthen its forces' abilities to defend what Japan considers to be its own interests - including territories, allies and assets.

Currently Japanese forces are prohibited from taking part in many of the panel's propositions, but along with Abe, the United States would like to see Japan have more autonomy to take part in UN-led security operations and to defend its allies under certain circumstances.

The 14-member panel will compile its final report by the end of the year pending further studies and exploratory discussions alongside a broader plan by the Ministry of Defense to review its protocols in line with a possible formation of a National Security Council here.

Such moves could prove to be a political maelstrom for Abe and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as factions from within the party as well as its coalition New Komeito partner are opposed to radical constitution change.

Such opposition has also been reflected in the opinions of regular citizens, the majority of whom are opposed to lifting the ban on the right of collective self-defense, as recent national surveys have shown.