CRI听力:Japanese Leading Figures Condemn Abe's Lifting of "Collective Defence" Right Ban

Leading figures in Japan have sharply criticized Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reinterpretation of the country's pacifist constitution.

The criticism follows cabinet approval of a constitutional reinterpretation, allowing use of military forces to defend Japan's allies oversea.

Our reporter Cao Yuwei has the details.

The reinterpretation of the constitution paves the way for Japan's self defence forces to help defend Japanese allies and others under what is known as "collective self-defense."

Shinzo Abe says the shift is needed to protect the lives of the Japanese people under what he decribes as an increasingly severe security environment.

But Abe's argument has met severe criticism from Banri Kaieda, President of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan.

"Prime Minister Abe claims this move will protect people's lives. Is this real? As a matter of fact, Abe's moves will only make the people's lives more dangerous. This move is complete barbarism."

World renowned Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oe echoes that sentiment.

"Abe quoted the peaceful essence in the preface of the constitution. But he wrongly quoted the content in it. His quotation totally violates the original meaning. We cannot allow him to go his own way."

Japan's current constitution was written in 1947 under U.S. direction after World War II.

The document says the Japanese people "forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation."

The article was crafted to prevent a repeat of Japan's militarism and invasion of wide swaths of Asia before and during World War II.

Kazuo Shii, Chairman of the Japanese Communist Party, is urging the current Japanese government to leave the dangerous path it is on.

"Here I call upon all of us to crack down on Abe's attempt to revive militarism."

Abe's move has already drawn criticism from China and South Korea, both of which suffered invasion and occupation at the hands of Japanese imperial forces.

The United Nation has also issued concerns over Japan's recent moves on its military policies.

For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.