The recent news that the lower house of the Japanese parliament has approved a state secrecy bill has made global news.
In the words of critics the bill is intended to suppress press freedom, since it will allow the government to keep information secret that relates to 23 areas, including diplomacy, defence, and counter-terrorism. Anyone leaking state secrets could be jailed for up to ten years under current proposals. The bill has now passed to the upper house for approval, which many say it is likely to get.
Some sectors of Japanese society strongly oppose the bill, resulting in protests outside the Diet building, and the buildings of government representatives. This prompted Ishiba Shigeru, the LDP Secretary-General, to declare on his blog that loud demonstrations were no different from terrorism.
Netizens are strongly opposed to Ishiba’s statements, with some fearing that this is a sign of things to come.
From Asahi Shimbun:
LDP Secretary Ishiba Blogs: “Shouting Protests Are No Different From Terrorism”
On November 29, LDP Secretary General Ishiba Shigeru criticised recent citizen demonstrations against the state secrecy law on his blog, saying “It seems to me, that in their essence, shouting tactics are not all that different from terrorism”. It appears as though looking at citizen protests in the streets, which are based on their right to freedom of expression, as being the same as terrorism will cause Ishiba some problems.
Ishiba brought up the topic on his blog, saying “Outside the representative’s building there’s a loud noise resonating through the streets of people shouting ‘Down with the state secrecy law'”. He went on to criticise “Doing things that disturb the peace for other people is certainly not going to get public opinion on their side”. On November 30, Ishiba told the Asahi Shimbun that “I’m not bothered if they state their opinions through a demonstration that is in-line with the rules, but what I said was, that in the sense that they are making ordinary citizens in awe of them [Ishiba uses the word “awe”; he means “intimidation”] with the tangible pressure of that loud noise, then essentially what they are doing is the same as terrorism”.
The statement on LDP Secretary-General Ishiba’s that criticised demonstrations against the state secrecy law was as follows:
“Even now there is a loud noise outside the representative’s building that’s resonating through the streets of people shouting ‘Down with the state secrecy law’. I have no idea what kind of influence it will have, but no matter what they’re claiming one way or another, they’re just carrying on shouting, and disturbing everyone’s peace like that is certainly not going to get public opinion on their side…”
“…If they want to put their ideas and principles into practice, then according to the principles of democracy they should try to increase the number of people who understand them, even if it’s just one person, and expand their circle of support. It seems to me, that in their essence, shouting tactics are not all that different from terrorism”.
Comments from Twitter:
KenG:
At it again eh? It’s not that I don’t get what he means. But he must know that this remark is definitely going to be a huge problem. The only thing I can think is that he really really with all his heart wants out of that job.
ゆかり:
Yeah, cos under the state secrecy law, demonstrations will be treated as terrorism and you’ll get arrested.
坂 寿敏:
A danger to democracy!
ドクター高松
Frightening to think that someone like him is going to try to enforce the state secrecy law…
如月:
This is not only the true nature of the state secrecy law, but is also the true nature of this man.
眞鍋重朗:
It’s the current state of politics that has created a situation where crowds have to shout. As someone involved in politics, Ishiba should be ashamed.
taku:
Idiot.
Lowest of the low.
When I think that some bastard who feels that way can be a member of the Diet, I get frightened.
一星☆:
When you read the whole thing he’s not far off the mark, but when you just read the title then it’s a terrible thing to say. Is this media propaganda?
bird on a rock:
His very existence is terrorism @mich752: Don’t say such terrifying things. Based on what he says, everyone in France would be a terrorist. Ishiba is more dangerous than a terrorist.
蒲田のぼる（ヤニ臭いのはイヤよ）:
Dear Mr. Ishiba, you’re using the word “awe” to mean “threaten/intimidate”. You’re not very good at Japanese. That person who picked a fight with Nabetsune also mistakenly used the word “awe”. @sohbunshu: Anti-government demos are “terrorism”, right-wing demos are “freedom of speech”…
とくとめ道信:
This is the real voice of the state secrecy law, it’s completely unforgivable! How the hell are they the party of liberal democracy?
phymon_1967:
Is it terrorism when they’re shouting in the streets when the elections are on?
ルチル:
Horrible! What he’s said is just too awful!! This is why the LDP is so sinister!!! Disgusting!!!!!
高山 明:
Going by Ishiba’s definition, the election campaigns of politicians looks like a prime example of terrorism.
アボカドール （脱原発に一票）:
Mr. Ishiba, sir, @shigeruishiba good one. Thanks to you, the anti-secrecy law demos have been the top article on yahoo news for several days in a row ♥
