The controversial bills for implementing the Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines finally cleared the Upper House Monday with some key issues remaining unresolved or vague: at least they seem so to ordinary people. One such issue is the emergency condition that requires Japan to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces in support of U.S. forces.

The enacted bill defines this condition as "emergencies surrounding Japan," a phrase for which the government has given labored explanations: Such emergencies would be: (1) the outbreak of an armed conflict that has an important bearing on Japan's peace and security; (2) the imminent outbreak of such an armed conflict; (3) the possibility of a massive inflow of refugees from a country in political chaos; and (4) a situation in which the behavior of a foreign power is subjected to economic sanctions based on a U.N. Security Council resolution.

These elaborate explanations, however, obviously fall short of shedding light on the precise circumstances that will make Japan put its armed forces in harm's way. Many Japanese, including those who basically support the Japan-U.S. security arrangement, are left with a very basic doubt: Why is the government unable to satisfactorily specify the geographic scope under which the new guidelines laws will be invoked?