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LDP Posts the Part Two of Captain Mustache on Youtube

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On July 28, part two of the Captain Mustache cartoon was posted on YouTube by the Liberal Democratic Party. Part one was posted on July 2, and it ended at the point where MP Masahisa Sato was about to discuss conscription. In an interview with NEWS 23, he mentioned that he wanted to make a second part, since the first ended just as he was about to explain the reasons why he thinks conscription would never be possible. At the beginning of part two, he lives up to the promise by explaining the way that conscription works. He also answered important questions about whether Japan will become involved in American wars. This is one of the biggest concerns expressed by opponents of the security legislation.

Compared to the first video, the second is longer and funnier. For example, MP Sato transforms into robot in the video, and his mustache suddenly grows longer at the end. These attempts to make the video funnier seems to be an effort by the LDP to obtain more support from young people for the security legislation.

(The video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMZKitpe-nk)

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Akari-chan: Wow! Mr. Captain Mustache, it’s nice timing again!

MP Sato: Hi! Nice to see you again.

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have seen a lot

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have heard a lot

Akari-chan: Since the last time we met, I have seen and heard many many things, because I thought that I realized I shouldn’t act as though these issues are somebody else’s issue. But, there are so so so so many things that I can’t understand. I thought that each household needs a Captain Mustache.

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Captain Mustache: A Captain Mustache for each household… then, a Mustache Robot!

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Akari-chan: Well, I want to ask you various questions about peace and security legislation.

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Be prepared! [Akari-chan laughs.] I’ll begin where we left off last time.

Akari-chan: Firstly, will Japan adopt conscription?

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Q.日本は近い将来、徴兵制になるの?                             Q. Will Japan adopt conscription in the near future?

MP Sato: Who says that?

Akari-chan: Who? Everybody in Japan. And don’t worry about these details.

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間違い Mistake

MP Sato: Ok. I will answer then. That is a very very big misunderstanding. At the moment, conscription is not allowed by Constitution. Nowadays, most defense equipment cannot be used except by properly trained personnel. Do you think amateurs can handle jet-fighters or tanks?

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Akari-chan: Well, I think it would be impossible for them.

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MP Sato: Therefore, I think there is decreasing benefit from adopting conscription. None of the developed G7 countries adopt conscription. Japan will not adopt conscription both because it is unconstitutional and because it’s not needed.

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A. 日本は徴兵制になりません!Answer: Japan will not adopt conscription!必要性 It is not needed.

憲法上 It is not constitutional.

Akari-chan: Nobody wants to be forced to become a soldier. I’m definitely opposed to conscription. Now, we’ll move on to the next question: constitutional scholars say that the security legislation is unconstitutional. So, would it be OK?

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違反:unconstitutional
合憲:constitutional
Q. 平和安全法制は憲法違反なの?Question: Is the peace and security legislation unconstitutional?

MP Sato: In academia, there are both scholars who say the legislation is constitutional and those who say it is unconstitutional. Among the scholars who say it is constitutional, there are those who say that the Self-Defense Forces is unconstitutional.

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違反:unconstitutional
合憲:constitutional
Q. 平和安全法制は憲法違反なの?Question: Is the peace and security legislation unconstitutional?

Akari-chan: What should we think when the experts have divided opinions?

MP Sato: We debated a lot about how much self-defense preparation should be allowed, given that the international situation around Japan is becoming more and more unsafe. We drafted the security legislation that allows Japan to partially exercise its right to collective self-defense, but only to the extent that supreme court precedent allows. Therefore, the legislation is definitely not unconstitutional.

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Akari-chan: I did not know that. If it is to the extent that the supreme court precedent permits, then it would be safe.

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MP Sato: People tend to focus on the possibility of using armed force and exercising the right to collective self-defense. But, the first option should always be peaceful diplomacy. I think the most important thing for us is to make diplomatic efforts in order to ensure that the Self-Defense Forces do not need to exercise armed force, except for self-defense.

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Akari-chan: Yes. It is important.

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MP Sato: However, we have to thoroughly prepare for the worst case scenario. And if Japan is always thoroughly prepared, then even if there is a country thinking of attacking Japan, it might change its mind since Japan would be able to strongly respond.  

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抑止力 deterrence

Akari-chan: Deterrence.

MP Sato: Now you are starting to get this.

Akari-chan: But, if Japan were attacked even after such thorough preparation, Self-Defense Forces would need to respond in order to protect citizens, right?

MP Sato: Sure. We need to be properly protected by them.

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Q. 自衛隊はどのような場合に出動するの?                                                           Question: In what kind of situations is Self-Defense Forces deployed?

Akari-chan: Then, in what kind of situations can Self-Defense Forces be activated?

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国民を守る為に自衛が必要なとき When an act of self-defense is necessary to protect citizens.[The yellow and black barrier symbolizes limitations on the

situations when Self-Defense Force can be deployed]

MP Sato: The Self-Defense Forces can only respond to the extent that it is necessary to protect citizens. Therefore, there are strict limitations enshrined in the peace and security legislation. In other words, Self-Defense Forces cannot be deployed so easily. In order for the exercise of armed force, there are three new conditions that must be met in addition to getting the approval of parliament.

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新三要件 Three New Conditions

Akari-chan: Three new conditions? That sounds difficult.

MP Sato: It may sound difficult, but please listen to me very carefully, because it is important. Unless a situation fulfills the three conditions I’m about to outline, Japan cannot exercise its right to self-defense.

MP Sato: First, some country has to attack Japan or a close ally of Japan (like the United States) using armed force, and there has to be a clear threat to Japanese citizens’ lives or their peaceful way of life.

Akari-chan: I can understand a situation where Japan was attacked. And for the situation where a foreign country like the United States is attacked, you explained this to me last time we met.  

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There is an armed attack against our country or a country that has a close relationship with Japan, and the situation threatens the existence of Japan and presents a clear danger to citizens’ lives, freedom and happiness.

MP Sato: It was a situation where a US vessel was attacked while transporting Japanese citizens evacuating a war torn country. In other words, the Self-Defense Forces can only be deployed to protect Japan. Japan cannot use armed force to protect a foreign country for other purposes.

Akari-chan: It is only to protect Japan.

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2. There is no other alternative to remove threats and to protect the sovereignty of Japan and its citizens, except to use force.

MP Sato: Next, I will talk about the second condition of these three new conditions. That is, Japan can use force only when there are no other means available to remove such threats. I have told you this over and over.

Akari-chan: Use of armed force is the last resort for Japan, right?

MP Sato: Yes. “There are no other means…” means that even after all measures have been tried, there is no option left but to use armed force. It is a situation where the peace of Japan and its citizens’ safety cannot be protected unless armed force is used.

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3. 必要最小限度の実力行使にとどまるべきことThe use of force must be confined to the minimum necessary.

MP Sato: Now, the third condition of the new three conditions requires that the use of armed force should be stay within the confines of the least amount of force necessary to secure Japan. It is important to note that it is the least amount that is necessary.

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Q.日本は関係ない戦争に巻き込まれてしまわないの?                 Q.Will Japan be dragged into war that is irrelevant for Japan?

Akari-chan: Yes. I think I understand quite well now. But, even there are strict conditions like you said, if we allow use of armed force, then will the United States drag Japan into wars that are irrelevant to Japan?

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合意:agreements

MP Sato: That will be impossible. Like I said, the situations where Japan can use armed force are limited to those where Japan needs to protect its citizens. This is clearly written in a new agreement between Japan and the US. The United States understand this. Japan will definitely refuse if Japan were asked to participate in wars like the Gulf War or the Iraq War.

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The Gulf War

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The Iraq War

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A. 日本と無関係なアメリカの戦争には、絶対、参加しません!                             Answer: Japan will never participate in American wars that are irrelevant to Japan!

Akari-chan: Yes. That is important. If there is no agreement with the US, then anything can happen. Now, here is my last question. It is a question that you can answer, because you used to serve in Japan’s Peacekeeping Operations as Captain Mustache. What kind of difficulties or problems are encountered when the Self-Defense Forces engage in humanitarian activities abroad?

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Question, Do the existing laws pose any problems for the Self-Defense Forces when they engage in humanitarian activities in foreign countries?

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Please protect us!

MP Sato: I assume a lot of people think of this because of news reports. In particular, because the duties and the use of weapons are limited for the Self-Defense Forces, they cannot protect Japanese NGOs and media staff working near Self Defense Force’s camps even if help is requested. Isn’t this strange? Also, the Self-Defense Forces cannot protect construction materials or relief supplies (like foods and medicines). Moreover, Self-Defense Forces cannot teach medical personnel in the militaries of other countries. There are a lot of inconveniences.

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Please protect us!

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Akari-chan: In order for the Self-Defense Forces to accomplish its humanitarian work at an adequate level in war-torn countries, the risks that members of the Self-Defense Forces face should be minimised, and the various inconveniences that they face due to the heavy restrictions on their use of armaments should be removed.

MP Sato: Therefore, the security legislation is necessary, because it will help Self-Defense Forces in the field not hesitate or be inconvenienced. The legislation will assure the security of Self-Defense Forces staff and help them achieve their full capacity in the field.

Akari-chan: Ah. We have arrived at the station so soon. Today, I had a good time as thick as your mustache.

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Akari-chan: Thank you. Mr. Captain Mustache. See you.

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