The Diet last week enacted a law to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and another law to inject capital into regional financial institutions with second votes in the Lower House where the ruling bloc holds a two-third majority.
Although lawmakers may think that this means the current Diet session is for all purposes over, they should acknowledge that they have not sufficiently discussed the serious problems facing the nation. Instead of coasting till Dec. 25, when the current session ends, they should use the remaining time to address these problems.
The refueling law does not require Diet approval of a specific MSDF mission plan. But the Diet failed to fully address a lapse of civilian control over the Self-Defense Forces. It also failed to discuss in detail what Japan can do to help stabilize the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.