Protecting the Honor of the Self-Defense Forces and Their Personnel NO.1

In response to former House of Councillors member Masahisa Sato’s post, I too wish to share my thoughts regarding the Self-Defense Forces and its personnel.

I wanted to convey this above all else, so I’ll state my conclusion first.

“I wish for a world without war and for peace.”

This sentiment is a universal desire shared across the globe.

However, there are various paths leading to this goal, and sadly, conflicts arise along the way.

Among those paths, it is currently the reality that some people openly express hostility toward the Self-Defense Forces themselves.

If we calmly engage with those individuals and create opportunities to listen to them, while I may not share their sentiments, I can show understanding for their feelings.

(Because I want to understand their feelings, I sometimes make an effort to attend such gatherings.)

But there is something I cannot forgive.

It is the heartless verbal abuse directed at the Self-Defense Forces and its personnel, and witnessing them risking their lives to exercise force.

Especially the casual hurling of harsh criticism toward the profession of Self-Defense Forces personnel outside of formal debates or gatherings of like-minded individuals.

Self-Defense Forces personnel have families too.

Spouses, children, grandchildren, parents—those with family members in the SDF must maintain a stronger resolve than the personnel themselves during disasters, and must see their loved ones off.

Moreover, firefighting and policing are cited as aspirational careers, and there are no complaints about those involved in school education.

Why is the Self-Defense Forces unacceptable while firefighting and policing are acceptable?

I am particularly concerned about the mental well-being of children of Self-Defense Forces personnel when they witness people completely rejecting their father or mother’s profession.

To children, their parents are superheroes.

It is only natural for them to feel proud of parents who bravely protect the nation and its people.

While I wish discrimination against the Self-Defense Forces and its members would cease, I at least hope people can uphold their own convictions while showing consideration for the families of service members.

Finally, I am not solely supporting the Self-Defense Forces and its personnel.

I believe it’s crucial to support all those in life-saving professions—firefighters, police officers, volunteer firefighters, doctors, nurses, caregivers, childcare workers, administrative staff—and provide each with appropriate support.

Through politics that protects those who protect lives, I will continue working to strengthen administrative foundations and build cities where citizens can live safely and securely.

This got long, so I’ll report again later 🕊️💫