TOKYO: Japan can exercise its counterattack capabilities in a situation where it faces an existential threat from an armed attack against close allies such as the United States, Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio indicated Tuesday.

Such a situation is defined in the 2015 national security legislation as one of three conditions for Japan to use force.

Speaking at a plenary meeting of the House of Representatives on the day, Kishida referred to the government’s position adopted in 1956 as the basis for the view that the possession of counterattack capabilities, newly included in the country’s three key national security documents, is constitutional.

The prime minister explained that the 1956 position applies to possible self-defense measures under the three conditions of the 2015 legislation.

JIJI Press