Japanese Self-Defense Officer Attends LDP Convention and Faces Criticism

Reference News Network, April 25 According to the Japanese "Tokyo News" website on April 23, the incident of a Self-Defense Force officer leading the national anthem at a Liberal Democratic Party conference has raised questions about the political neutrality of the Self-Defense Forces. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asserted, “(The Self-Defense Force officer) was not performing official duties but participated in singing as a private individual. Singing the national anthem does not constitute a political act.” However, since the officer attended the Liberal Democratic Party's highest decision-making body conference in formal performance attire, the official explanation is inevitably called into question.

Experts emphasize the importance of learning from the historical lessons of the pre-World War II Imperial Japanese Army's involvement in politics, which ultimately led to the outbreak of war, and clarifying the boundaries between political parties and the Self-Defense Forces.

At the party conference held on the 12th of this month at a hotel in Tokyo, a Self-Defense Force officer belonging to the Central Band of the Ground Self-Defense Force was introduced as “the first vocal major to enlist” and took the stage. The officer, dressed in formal performance attire as directed by the Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force, sang the national anthem "Kimigayo."

Article 61 of Japan's Self-Defense Forces Law stipulates that, except for exercising the right to vote, the political activities of members are restricted. The Japanese Supreme Court ruled in 1995 regarding the freedom of speech of Self-Defense Force officers, stating that to protect the interests of all citizens, “the Constitution allows for necessary and reasonable restrictions to be imposed.”

The government explained that the officer was on long-term leave at the time and accepted the invitation from relevant personnel in a private capacity. The Director of the Personnel and Education Bureau of the Ministry of Defense stated that the performance attire “is not prohibited from being worn outside of official duties and is not considered a violation of discipline.”

However, within the Liberal Democratic Party, some individuals who have previously served as Minister of Defense criticized, saying, “The government’s explanation is merely a pale excuse and should be met with a frank apology.”

Meiji University Professor Akira Yamada pointed out, “This clearly fails to maintain the political neutrality of the Self-Defense Force officers and gives the impression that the government is 'privatizing' the Self-Defense Forces for its own use.”

In light of the current government's commitment to increasing defense spending and promoting arms exports, he questioned, “Is there an intention to use the Self-Defense Forces for political propaganda?”

Professor Yamada emphasized that it is precisely based on the lessons learned from before the war that the political activities of Self-Defense Force officers are strictly limited. (Translation/Chen Rui)