Japan Introduces Proposal to Send Troops Overseas

A government plan to deploy soldiers overseas for the first time since World War II was introduced Tuesday in Parliament but came under immediate attack from opposition parties that could block its passage.

The proposal calls for a noncombat force of civilians and soldiers to participate behind the lines in international Persian Gulf operations based on U.N. resolutions.

“It is of extreme importance to get the bill passed in order for Japan to fulfill its responsibilities to maintain peace in the international society,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Misoji Sakamoto said at a news conference Tuesday.

But the proposed U.N. Peace Cooperation Corps faces an uphill battle in Parliament.

Opposition leaders Tuesday attacked the bill as a violation of Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Public opinion polls also have shown significant opposition to deploying Japanese soldiers overseas.

“The question is why should the pacifist country Japan be taking the same measures as military giants do?” Takako Doi, chairwoman of the largest opposition group, the Japan Socialist Party, asked Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu during parliamentary debate.

Kaifu insisted the bill is constitutional because the corps would assume only noncombat duties, such as transportation, medical care and communications support.

However, details of what assistance could be offered have yet to be worked out, Nobutoshi Akao, a Foreign Ministry official, told reporters.