Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday reiterated the need to map out emergency legislation that would restrict private citizens' rights in the event of an attack or serious natural disaster.
"It is important to grasp the matter comprehensively and do what can be done first," Koizumi said. "Prepare for the worst, the best will take care of itself."
Taku Yamasaki, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, noted that the passage of the bill for contingencies, expected to be submitted in the ordinary Diet session, will be one of the major issues deliberated in the session that begins Jan. 21.
"It is a serious defect in terms of Japan's national security that such legislation has yet to be enacted," Yamasaki said.