(Sankei: June 27, 2015 – p. 5)

 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Katsuya Okada actually has taken the view that even if North Korea fires a ballistic missile, aiming at U.S. territory such as Guam, there is no need for the Self-Defense Forces to take action. In this regard, Okada said at a press conference on June 26: “I think it would be impossible even with the government plan.”

 Okada said: “Although the government says that a missile fired at facilities in Guam that defend Japan threatens the existence of our country, I wonder whether such logic makes sense.” Asked “how he would respond in the case of an approaching missile,” he did not present any specific measures, but just said, “There are such problems with the interpretation of law (in the government-drafted legislation).”

 Appearing on a BS Fuji program on June 24, Okada said that it will be necessary to fully exercise the right to collective self-defense in case of a missile heading to the U.S. and asserted that “(Japan) does not need the right of collective self-defense.” He had taken the view that it would be unnecessary for the SDF to jointly respond with U.S. Forces Japan.