Japan’s law makers have a fistfight over pacifism

Japan’s law makers have a fistfight over pacifism

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More evidence of Japans move toward militarism.

(Quatz)

 

 

Japanese legislators who want to protect the country’s 70-year tradition of pacifism resorted to violence today (Sept. 17) to defend their ideals.

Photos of a violent scuffle in a legislative committee meeting this morning reveal the depth of controversy in Japan over a new security bill. The measure, backed by prime minister Shinzo Abe and his ruling coalition, would expand Japan’s Self Defense Forces’ mandate, allowing it to assist overseas allies. Since 1947, when the country’s post World War Two constitution was enacted, Japan’s military has been restricted to acting only in cases of self-defense.

According to the BBC, this apparent shift toward remilitarization is not supported by the majority of Japanese.

In an ultimately futile attempt to prevent a vote from taking place, opposition lawmakers mobbed committee chairman Yoshitada Konoike, and deputy chairman Masahisa Sato. The bill was approved anyway, and is headed to the parliament’s upper chamber for a final vote.

epa04934279 Opposition lawmakers surround Masahisa Sato (C-L), deputy chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, during the special committee in Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. Japan's opposition parties continue their effort to prevent the ruling parties from moving for a vote on national security bills expected to expand Japanese troops' oversea operations. EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

epaselect epa04934275 Opposition lawmakers try to cover the face of Masahisa Sato, deputy chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, during a meeting of the special committee in Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. Japan's opposition parties continue their effort to prevent the ruling parties from moving for a vote on national security bills expected to expand Japanese troops' oversea operations. EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

epa04934524 Opposition lawmakers and ruling lawmakers mob around Yoshitada Konoike chairman of the upper chamber special committee on security legislation, as ruling parties lawmakers try to pass security bills during the special committee at Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 17 September 2015. In picture Japan lawmaker Hiroe Makiyama (green). EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

 

epa04933428 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures as he waits for the start of a final session at the upper chamber special committee on security legislation at the parliament in Tokyo, Japan, 16 September 2015. Opposition lawmakers are blocking the start of this final debate as thousands of protesters are staging a large demonstration outside the parliament building. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

 

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