Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A bill on the security of sensitive sites, such as military bases and nuclear power plants, is under discussion in the Japanese Diet and has sparked protests from opponents fearing fundamental attacks on their right to freedom of expression.

The bill will allow state agents to investigate political and other activities of citizens living within 1 km of sensitive sites such as military bases or nuclear sites.

While the discussions were ongoing on Wednesday ahead of a vote on the bill, a woman carrying a placard showing an outline of a military base surrounded by residences, told Arab News Japan that she fears the law could see residents, who engage in political activities, being banned from engaging in commercial activities and having their commercial and economic operating licenses withdrawn.

According to a document provided by the protesters, the law also allows some residents to report on other residents. The law allows for a special lookout area to prevent citizens challenging the activity and development of the classified sites.

The law also aims to impose land control in the areas around such sites. Protesters believe this alludes to the problems raised by the residents around the US military bases on Okinawa and the plans to extend the bases.