Thursday, December 12, 2013

Japan state secrets protection legislation: a direct violation of the society?

Pire que Les Tontons Flingueurs... After considering people protesting the state secrets protection bill as act of terrorism, LDP's Ishiba (no. 2 of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party) targets now the press (journalists): "Based on the conventional wisdom, activities (of the media) would be somewhat restricted if (their reports) severely endanger national security," Ishiba said at the Japan National Press Club." In the Mainichi Shimbun.

Here is stated by a top official the ambiguity of Abe's law on designated secrets, altering in Japan the freedom of the press and the free access to information. These fundamental principles appear today gravely threatened in Japan.

Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe expressed grave concerns about how the new state secrets protection law will affect human rights guaranteed by the nation’s Constitution.

Asahi Shimbun editorial: "Abe's words fail to clear distrust about secrecy law : Abe’s reassurances not only failed to allay suspicions that the law will allow the government to bolster its monopoly over sensitive information, but also they actually deepened our fear that the law will jeopardize democracy."