The following fifteen points of concern were selected and translated into English from “100 Points of Concern on Japan’s New National Security Laws” published in August 2015. According to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the New National Security Laws will help protect Japanese at home and abroad, allow Japan to play a greater role in the international community, and fulfill its commitments to the US-Japan Alliance. These fourteen points of concern aim to promote understanding of the present policy of the Government of Japan on peace and security as well as the response by researchers and civil society. Please note that these points of concern were published before the passage of Security Bills by the Upper House of the Diet in September 2015. Another point of attention is that these points of concern are based on individual perspective, and not the common perspective of the whole members of the Peace Studies Association of Japan.

36.  What is Pacifism in Japan’s Constitution

24. Arms Exports, Security Legislation and the Militarization of ODA: The Three Pillars of Abe’s Security Policy Reform

25. On the relationship between the “militarization policies” of the Abe administration and the Japanese economy

29. What are the 2015 Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation?

35. Are UN Peacekeeping Operations helpful for peace making?

30. As an expert on international relations, what is your view of the new national security laws?

31. What opinion do you have, from the standpoint of international law, of the recent legislation for a new security regime?

37. The Cabinet Decision of July 2014: the Basis of the Security Legislation

38. Could you give a brief overview of the Legislation for Peace and Security?

90. What has the postwar Japanese peace movement been like, especially in relation to the new peace campaign against the security bills in 2015?

91. Please tell us about any constitutional litigation concerning Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution

92. What are the characteristics of the peace movements in Okinawa?

100. What is SEALDs?