The Abe administration on June 3 proposed new conditions for the Self-Defense Forces to take part in overseas missions to support the armed forces of other countries — with a view especially toward expanding the SDF's role in assisting multinational forces that are created based on United Nations resolutions.
Just three days later, it modified these conditions in the face of opposition from New Komeito, the Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner. But even these modified conditions would radically change the nature of SDF missions overseas and pave the way for the SDF to engage in activities in combat areas, which would greatly raise the risk of Japan being drawn into an armed conflict.
In addition, the fact that the Abe administration altered its proposed conditions so quickly deepens suspicions about the administration's prudence and sincerity in dealing with the overall direction of the nation's security policy and the Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9.
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