ID :
356728
Tue, 02/10/2015 - 06:10
Auther :

Abe's Policy Speech to Highlight Resolve to Fight Terrorism

Tokyo, Feb. 9 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to highlight his resolve to fight terrorism in a policy speech he will deliver in the Diet, Japan's parliament, later this week, in the wake of the recent hostage crisis, informed sources said Monday. Abe plans to stress that Japan will never give in to terrorism and will ensure the safety of Japanese nationals at home and abroad, in the speech to be given at plenary meetings of both Diet chambers on Thursday, the sources said. It will be Abe's first policy speech in the Diet since forming his third cabinet in December last year. In the speech, he will strongly condemn the Islamic State militant group for purportedly killing two Japanese men, Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Abe plans to announce his government's continuing policy of cooperation with the international community to contain terrorism and expanding Japan's humanitarian aid, such as food and medical supplies, to the Middle East region. During the second half of the ongoing 150-day ordinary Diet session, full-fledged deliberations will be held on national security-related legislation aimed at allowing Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense, or coming to the aid of allies under military attack. In the speech, the prime minister will underline the need for Japan to prepare a seamless legal framework so that the country can deal with every possible contingency. But he is expected to fall short of making detailed remarks on the issue, ahead of talks between his Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, on relevant bills, the sources said. Also in the speech, Abe will reiterate his policy of putting top priority on reviving the Japanese economy and regional communities, ahead of unified local elections in April. He will also explain his aim of reforming the Japan agricultural (JA) cooperatives group as a symbol for chipping away at bedrock-like regulations in the country. END

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