"The U.S. is pressuring Japanese lawmakers to approve legislation that
would allow Japan's armed forces to provide military support for U.S. troops
abroad, join in search-and-rescue operations, and use civilian harbors and
airports during military emergencies.
"Debate on the legislation took on added significance last month when
Japan dispatched warships in pursuit of two suspected North Korean spy ships
-- the first active deployment of Japanese naval destroyers since World War
II."
Marchers Protest Japan-US Ties
By TODD ZAUN
.c The Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) -- More than 600 people marched through central Tokyo on Saturday
to protest legislation that could significantly expand Japan's military
alliance with the United States.
Anti-war activists and leaders of groups opposed to the U.S. troop presence
in Japan addressed the marchers at the headquarters of the left-wing Social
Democratic party.
They called on the government to scrap the so-called ``defense guideline''
bills, arguing that such laws would violate the nation's pacifist
constitution.
``By passing these laws we would only be paving the way to war,'' said Soko
Shimabukuro, a member of Japan's upper house of Parliament from Okinawa,
where opposition to the bills is strong.
Two-thirds of the 47,000 U.S. troops in Japan are stationed on the island.
The bills would allow Japan's armed forces to provide more support for U.S.
troops, join in search-and-rescue operations and use civilian harbors and
airports during military emergencies.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has urged lawmakers to approve them before he
visits Washington in May.
The Social Democrats and one other small party offer the only Parliamentary
opposition to the guidelines, which are expected to pass.
The debate took on added significance late last month when Japan dispatched
warships in pursuit of two suspected North Korean spy ships. It was the
Japan's first active deployment of naval destroyers since World War II.
Japan's constitution doesn't allow the country to wage war and pacifist
sentiment has been strong since the country's defeat in the war.
Still, the country maintains a well-equipped military to defend against armed
attack, and protesters at Saturday's rally worried that passage of the
guidelines would give the forces more power.
``Our military is growing increasingly active and I think the guidelines are
the reason for that,'' said Norio Odawara, 54, the head of a church group
that attended the rally.
