Shinzo Abe dismisses opposition to Japan state secrets legislation
Hawkish premier rejects opposition to state secrets bill that critics fear will stifle press freedom and keep public in the dark
Premier Shinzo Abe has dismissed public concern of a controversial new state secrets bill they say could hide what the government is doing and restrict press freedom.
Japan's lower house of parliament yesterday passed the "secrecy protection" law which imposes stiffer penalties on bureaucrats who leak information - and journalists who seek it.
The ruling party says law is needed to allow the United States and other allies to share national security information with Japan. Along with the creation of a US-style National Security Council in his office, it's part of an effort by Abe to beef up Japan's role in global security, and make a more authoritarian government at home.
"It is an urgent task to prepare for legislation that should remain secret at a time when fears over information leaks are growing," Prime Minister Abe told a house committee yesterday.
The bill was sent to the upper house for more debate. That chamber is also controlled by the ruling bloc, which is trying to enact it by the end of the current Diet session on December 6 with approvals from both chambers.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers say Washington has repeatedly said that it feels insecure about sharing top security information with Japan due to its lack of legal protection for secrets. The US is worried about leaks to China, they say.