As the regular Diet session draws to a close, several key bills remain on the table. Among these are three defense bills designed to deal with a direct attack on Japan, real or perceived. The proposed legislation, however, is flawed in so many ways -- including the lack of provisions for civilian protection -- that a wholesale review is in order.

The three ruling parties -- the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- have decided to carry the bills over to an extraordinary session in the autumn. Given the ongoing boycott by opposition parties and the scarcity of public support, however, there seems to be little chance of passage unless the package is substantially improved.

The package is opposed not only by the Communist and Social Democratic parties, which regard it as a violation of the Constitution, but also by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Party. The positions of the last two parties in particular must be reckoned with. The DPJ, the largest opposition group, is basically in favor of emergency military legislation, while the Liberal Party takes a positive stance on defense and security policy.