Diet passes controversial secrets law despite protests

Bad news.

And so it begins, 1933 in Germany and 2013 in Japan. Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister, Said Tokyo Could Learn From Nazis' Tactics. And sure they did.

Welcome to China. From here on in no one has the right to defend Japanese freedom of speech by contrasting it to Chinese censorship or propaganda laws. Japan has shown once again under this government that it wants to be exactly the same. Given the vagueries of this law and its contents, the government can technically call any opposition parties terrorists and imprison them.

Another nail in the coffin of Japanese democracy.

Democracy Japan style! You have the right to vote, but the party will buy votes ensuring a victory. You have the right to protest, but it means nothing. Now, you have the right to know what you are told and what the government deems public information. Is that democracy? Really? It has a stark resemblance to socialism. Meanwhile, the minions sit on the trains with their faces glued to their handsets playing smack the hamster on their way to work impervious to the fact they are just pawns. おつかれさま 日本人！

Still waiting for anyone to tell me how this legislation is any different than say the UK Official Secrets Act

Well, who knows? What's the scope and breadth of the information hidden by the UK's OSA?

You can't judge what you can't see.

Disgusting and disgraceful.

"Bad news." WHOA now! watch your tone! You wouldn't want to go to jail would you? I mean, comments like that might get Japantoday red flagged. We might all go to jail too for association.

"The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans !" ummm... too late. Its done. like 100% there is no going back because now if you have an opionion you will go to jail. If you organize a protest about it, you will go to jail, if you try to change anything at all in the government, you will go to jail.

So even if there is a public outcry they still steam roll the bill. So at what point is Japan a democracy where the people voices are ignored? It's the same everywhere. Lets hope the Japanese voters display their displeasure at the next election by voting in a party that pledges to dismantle the bill...what a waste of tax payers hard earned money by these buffoons who are only in politics for their own greed and power over others.

Even though they can now be arrested for it, I hope whomever runs against Abe in the next election makes repealing this bill one of their main platforms -- they would certainly get the popular vote at the moment.

Damn. They did this at breakneck speed, without any transparency or chances for the public to oppose or discuss this. I think it speaks volumes on how the current government looks down on the people it is supposed to serve. From now on, I suspect Japan will keep slipping. Next up: changing the constitution and making it a "state secret". Well, I had a few good years in Japan and I'm thankful for that. The Japan they are forcing on us now is not a one I want to be a part of.

Not that I am a big fan of the Doors but they said it well: "This is the end..."

As I have said many times in the past on JT, the transparency is a critical element for democracy. With this, the democracy will be killed eventually in Japan. . Hope you guys are courageous enough to undo this bad bill by introducing a "Right to Know Act". Can you do that?

To be clear, the whole criminalization for encouraging a leak... does this mean if I a person said, for example, in a TV interview "I wish someone like Snowden would come to Japan and reign in the government" that they could serve jail time? What constitutes "encouragement"?

Jeffrey RolekDec. 07, 2013 - 08:26AM JST

Abe will probabily lose the next election because of this.

I seriously doubt that. J. voters gave that chance to the "Minshutoo" lead by Ozawa and Hatoyama once before. They were nothing but disappointment with no leadership and "know-how" skills to run the government. Japan's problem is that many politicians there are run by a bunch of car sales men and "nookyo" oyaji groups who have no sense of social justice and commitment for the people of Japan.

Shame on these politicians. The political system in Japan has failed its people again. They enact laws to lawfully work against the constitution that had garantueed some level of democracy and liberty in this nation.

Japan needs to face its core problems of a lagging export industry and falling birth rate, rather than artificially prop up its economy with stimulus packages and now this, what looks to be sowing the seeds for war by squelching dissent in conjunction with building up the military. I love peaceful Japan, and I fear warmongering Japan.

notasapDec. 07, 2013 - 09:41AM JST

Let's not forget the fire breathing dragon that is blowing smoke towards Japan. Only a fool would willing ignore the reality that such a threat poses.

I believe many are aware of that. The problem of this bill is a possible misuse by the government to harm the people IN Japan.

zichiDec. 07, 2013 - 09:46AM JST

At the very least, there should be an oversight committee with members from elected politicians, judges and constitutional lawyers to ensure the gov't is not abusing its position.

Zichi, that's a real issue here. With this bill, a real balance of power by three branches of government may be in danger.

In the end, this is what the 50-60% voted for. We foreigners here in Japan are more politically active than our compatriots back home. In the US, where I'm from, the voting %age is around 50. So, we get what we vote for. Maybe when they finally ban cell phone games on trains, we will get a public reaction.

Slip sliding away towards totalitarianism.

Sad - tragic even ...

There is a risk to significantly impair the public's "right to know".

The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans !

Reminds me that laws are made and passed in Japan for the benefit of the USA, not for the people and by the people its supposed to represent. Shame.

Laws such as this is the main reason why I never trust politicians.

Abe will probabily lose the next election because of this.

Knox: You're right about the 'next up' part -- Abe will likely push that through at break neck speed and without any consultation with the public and despite disagreement. The thing is, he'll flaunt it though, and it won't technically be a secret at all (I realize what you mean, though). The problem is if anyone protests it now they can be arrested as terrorists. The other thing the Dictator Abe will speed through is restarting the NPPs.

Just wait until somebody figures out how to apply this law to the internet system. China already controls its internet system ... and other countries would love to do the same without taking away their "freedom" banner. If Japan can twist the law into controlling the internet, then sites like this one will be history.

As the story said above, the provisions in this law are vague ... very vague. So anything can be declared secret, depending on the political party in power.

Saw on TV live coverage last night where a huge throng of anti-security law demonstrators were holding out in front of not only the Diet, but also in Nagoya and perhaps other cities. But all this noise was in vain as the people they voted for to run the country didn't listen to them and passed the bill into law anyhow.

The US and Europe allowed draconian legislation to be passed by their Governments post 9-11 without adequate safeguards. More than a decade later, largely due to Assange, Snowden and others opening peoples eyes to what use Government is making of their powers, the secrecy and security framework could and should be up for review. Maybe its too late to reverse the trend, but lets be very clear. To date, there has been no public discussion in the West of the need for security and secrecy, and how to balance that with the need for transparency and with peoples right to privacy. So far we have been sleep walking and have given up most of our right to know what our Governments are doing. None of the countries concerned are emerging with any credit post Snowden.

As was noted above, it`s worrying to see Japan head blindly into this without any attempt at engaging the public, and having any clarity on what safeguards and oversight will be in place.

They just passed the first step to a tyrannical dictatorship.

Victory NipponDEC. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans

Yeah, count me in! Let's riot!

The Japanese population has always bent over and grabbed their ankles for their leaders... This is a country with zero political satire and little criticism coming from a partisan and complicit press. Scary that even said press were against this travesty of libertarian democracy.

at least they got the Olympics before all the new laws and incarcerations come in. 4ch servers are not in Japan though and under California law I think, so I suspect an odd legitimacy growing online where real life isn't open enough

Victory NipponDec. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST

The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans !

titaniumdioxideDec. 07, 2013 - 11:04AM JST

Victory NipponDEC. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans

Yeah, count me in! Let's riot!

According to Ishiba's definition, you guys are terrorists. You need to be alarmed if you are Zainichi members.

Abe has argued that the measure is necessary to plug a notoriously leaky government machine, which prevents its chief ally the United States from sharing intelligence

yes mr abe, now by law you can make your very own nsa, and i really really hope that forever and ever the snowdens will be your worst nightmare come true

So much for the Japanese constitution and the freedom of the press... It's just been abolished... Very sad news....

Japanese Govt has been secretive. Want to hide more secret? What kind of sevret they want to hide beside those? Recall that Takeshita had to resign after his exual scandals came out years ago? Are they want to hide their private sexual misconducts now? Secretive acceptance of brivery? International affair secrets are not secrets in Foreign media service in foreign countries, so we have to guess what has been more secret in Japanese Govt.

I feel so much better now.

Sarcasm people. S.A.R.C.A.S.M.

Kinda like the Japanese Patriot Act, huh?

good to know the number of protesters (over 3,000) backing the opposition's fight outside the Diet, but quite unfortunate and a sad news to finally know that the bill was still passed through, hopefully politicians voted not against their conscience but to what the japanese pple elected them for. will be very interesting to see the effect of this new law.

Abe has said the government intends to set up panels to provide checks and balances in the process of defining a secret.

I feel so much better now.

Victory NipponDec. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST

The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans !

Disagree. .. Riot is an enemy of democracy. It accomplishes NOTHING..

globalwatcherDEC. 07, 2013 - 01:58PM JST Victory NipponDec. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans ! titaniumdioxideDec. 07, 2013 - 11:04AM JST Victory NipponDEC. 07, 2013 - 10:34AM JST The Japanese people need to riot against this evil bill. Just like the Koreans Yeah, count me in! Let's riot! According to Ishiba's definition, you guys are terrorists. You need to be alarmed if you are Zainichi members.

Global, It was an irony, not to be taken seriously. And besides I'm not a barbaric unlike the Chinese.

nedinjapanDEC. 07, 2013 - 09:41AM JST Shame on these politicians. The political system in Japan has failed its people again. They enact laws to lawfully work against the constitution that had garantueed some level of democracy and liberty in this nation.

Only thing we can do for now, or the Japanese themselves can is to wait for the next election. Sad it is indeed.

no matter how much time passes and how the world evolves, there will always be A-holes out there wanting to control it for their own benefit.

Great job Abe for pushing this through at break neck speed and without any consultation with the public and despite disagreement. Every country has and need to have some secrecy. A lot of the post that I am reading come from paranoid people who have no clue of what or how politics work. They are the very same people who post here Every day and become very opinionated against others opinion and very quickly to say some one is wrong. I'm sure after posting this post he will respond. With that said MY Opinion is Japan needs this at one time Japan was the number two economy in the world and has fallen. Secrecy doesn't have to mean you can do certain things what Abe is doing is trying to prevent Japanese trades secrets from being leaked out which has made other countries very lucrative in a little or no time. It is mainly large group of Chinese and Koreans who live in Japan who are totally against this who are very well connected to large corporations and politicians whom they rely on for this information to help the advancement of their country. Once the lid is shut they can't provide this information. Keep in mind espionage is not just about stealing secrets or spying the most costly comes at stealing Corporate trades secrets and this is whats killing the Japanese economy. I Abe will likely push that through at break neck speed and without any consultation with the public and despite disagreement. I commend what has happened and evidently the ruling party within voted for this. Most people in Japan are not interested in politics as most westerners are most Japans politicians who hold a position in office win based on family name. Last but not least secrecy in government even amongst families members are nothing new. I'm sure if anyone on this post who has ever been asked to keep a secret couldn't keep if they did it was because of severe consequences they will suffer should they divulge what they were ask to keep as a secret. The stiff fines and prison sentences that are being proposed is no different their is a price you have to pay for everything. Again i personally think this is a good move for Japan. Ok the trap has been set.

Good news because this secrecy law will protect democracy from some bed elements in society.

Welcome to the leadership level of national sovereignty Japan.. The Japanese need to now change their constitution and rearm their reestablished military. Let's not forget the fire breathing dragon that is blowing smoke towards Japan. Only a fool would willing ignore the reality that such a threat poses.

Kudos to Abe for passing this law. A secret is a secret, period. Especially in this day and age too much info passed out to all the world can be disastrous for a country. One must believe that our leaders are doing what they can to protect our safety. That's why we can vote someone to protect us. If you don't believe in your own decision of your vote for a leader that represents voice then a Democratic society is just a fallacy and the electorate is to blame. Hitler came to power because the people/ electorate put him there.

Have faith in God, Japan. :)