The Constitution allows the Self-Defense Forces to provide logistic support to United Nations-led multinational forces, but the provision of weapons and ammunition by the SDF will be determined on a case-by-case basis, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said Monday.
Responding to questions raised by Democratic Party of Japan leader Naoto Kan during a Lower House Budget Committee session, Obuchi said the SDF will be allowed to provide logistic support to multinational forces as long as they are not involved in military or any other action that may be interpreted as the use of force.
Asked whether logistic support can include providing weapons and ammunition, Obuchi said this would be determined based on the situation, and that it would be difficult to decide beforehand. "Regarding logistic support for multinational forces, while we maintain our position that those tasks will not involve military actions, what kind of support can be provided will be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on characteristics of the multinational operations," Obuchi said.
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