Japan Secrecy Law Stirs Fear of Limits on Freedoms
Source: Associated Press
Japan's more powerful lower house of Parliament approved a state secrecy bill late Tuesday that imposes stiffer penalties on bureaucrats who leak secrets and journalists who seek them, despite criticism the government is making a heavy-handed effort to hide what it's doing and suppress press freedom.
The public is concerned because the government won't say exactly what becomes secret. Critics say the law could allow the government to withhold more information and ultimately undermine Japan's democracy.
The bill was approved after hours of delay due to protests by opposition lawmakers. The ruling block and its supporters hope the weaker upper house will pass the legislation next month.
The ruling party says the law is needed to encourage the United States and other allies to share national security information with Japan. With the creation of a U.S.-style National Security Council in his office, it is part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to strengthen Japan's role in global security and create a more authoritarian government at home.
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-secrecy-law-stirs-fear-limits-freedoms-21013309
kristopher
(29,798 posts)November 26, 2013
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
FUKUSHIMA--The ruling Liberal Democratic Party invited Namie Mayor Tamotsu Baba to speak about the state secrets protection bill, expecting support by a leader near the Fukushima nuclear disaster site to quell criticism against the legislation.
The partys plan, however, backfired.
I am afraid no clear bounds were established about what should be designated a state secret, Baba told a hearing on the bill here on Nov. 25. He also said he cannot trust a government that tends to keep information under wraps.
In fact, all seven speakers at the hearing criticized the bill, saying its ambiguous wording leaves open the possibility of abuse and its harsh penalties could keep citizens in the dark about matters that directly affect their lives.
The ruling coalition, which railroaded the bill through a Lower House committee on Nov. 26, organized...
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201311260068
Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)Move along, nothing to see...
Octafish
(55,745 posts)And the Yakuza, too.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)I get the idea that it has more to do with not only Fukushima, but also with details about TPP leaking out.
At any rate, it is all extremely disquieting
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)kristopher
(29,798 posts)(Globalpost/GlobalPost)
The government plans to stipulate in its long-term energy plan that publicity activities on nuclear power should be reinforced, although not in a way that will lead Japan to be stuck in a "safety myth" as seen before the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis, a document obtained by Kyodo News showed Tuesday.
In the document, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, which is in charge of devising the plan, said it will place importance on providing "information based on objective facts or scientific evidence, such as safety and economic efficiency."
The government has been restrained in behavior toward publicizing nuclear power after the devastating accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi power plant raised concerns among the public over the use of nuclear reactors.
...
...While admitting that past publicity activities had contributed to creating a myth that nuclear power is safe, the ministry said it is important to provide scientific information and enhance education on nuclear issues, targeting various age groups.
...
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/131126/govt-eyes-reinforcement-publicity-activities-nuclear-p
See also
By YASUAKI OSHIKA/ Staff Writer
Tokyo Electric Power Co.s shortcomings, the Finance Ministrys stubbornness and the industry ministrys need for a scapegoat combined to create the radioactive water crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
And while the three key players refuse to be held accountable for Japans worst nuclear disaster, this troika of irresponsibility is still bickering over the cleanup process as contaminated water continues to leak into the plant ground and the ocean.
The risks of radioactive water leaks were known months after the plant was rocked by the Great East Japan Earthquake and swamped by the ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011.
Plans to contain the potential water problem were drawn up at the time. But TEPCO was unwilling to spend money on such measures, some of which were adopted two years later by the government...
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201311250074