Differences between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, New Komeito, are starting to bubble to the surface over the issue of collective self-defense, in which conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to reverse a long-held pacifist principle.
Yoshio Urushibara, head of New Komeito's Diet affairs, has spoken against Abe's desire to change the national policy — with Cabinet approval only — and allow Japan to help defend allies that come under military attack, saying the prime minister is ignoring the public on this issue.
"Whether or not to allow Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense is the most important issue for Japan and its people. It is too aggressive and rough for Abe and his 18 Cabinet ministers to unilaterally decide such an important matter," Urushibara wrote in his email newsletter Tuesday.