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Japan opposition lawmaker apologizes after saying poor children join the SDF TOKYO -- Opposition lawmaker Chikage Koga of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan apologized after saying in a House of Councillors committee

'Poor kids join the SDF' remark reflects deeper debate over Japan's military When the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s (CDP) Chikage Koga said that volunteers enlisting in the Self-Defense Forces are economically disadvantaged, she rekindled a longstanding debate over the SDF’s characterizations in political discourse — exposing a widening gap between public support and the political debates that continue to shape Japan’s civil-military relations. The most recent episode came on Monday during an Upper House Budget Committee session when the CDP lawmaker declared that “Children who join the Self-Defense Forces are economically challenged.” She added, “Children who are well off don’t join the Self-Defense Forces.” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi responded immediately by labeling her comments as “completely untrue.” He added that her comments were “prejudiced and unacceptable.” Koga withdrew her remarks and apologized, and the CDP leadership reprimanded her. This was not the first instance of such rhetoric in parliament, a reflection of a broader political debate that will continue to play out regarding potential constitutional amendment and the state of civil-militar…

CDP Lawmaker under Fire over Remarks on Japan SDF CDP Lawmaker under Fire over Remarks on Japan SDF News from Japan Politics Jun 17, 2026 00:50 (JST) English 日本語 简体字 繁體字 Français Español العربية Русский Tokyo, June 16 (Jiji Press)--Chikage Koga, a lawmaker of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has been under fire for her recent remarks citing financial circumstances as a reason for joining the country's Self-Defense Forces. Although she immediately retracted the remarks in question and apologized, criticism has poured in from both the ruling and opposition parties, prompting the CDP to issue a stern warning to her on Tuesday. Koga, a lawmaker in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament, said at a meeting of its Budget Committee on Monday, "Children from economically disadvantaged families join the SDF." She added, "No children from rich families become SDF members." The former elementary school teacher made the remarks when she asked a question regarding a brochure for students that explains the SDF's activities. Koga apologized after Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi protested her comments. [Copyright The Jiji Press, …

Japan opposition lawmaker apologizes after saying poor children join ... Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Chikage Koga asks a question during a May 29, 2026, meeting of the House of Councillors in Tokyo. (Mainichi/Akihiro Hirata) TOKYO -- Opposition lawmaker Chikage Koga of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan apologized after saying in a House of Councillors committee meeting on June 15 that "children in economic hardship join the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), while wealthy children do not become SDF personnel," and withdrew her remark following a protest from Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Koizumi said at a June 16 press conference, "I cannot remain silent when such a one-sided, prejudiced view is expressed in the Diet," adding that the remark "constitutes an insult to those who volunteered with a sense of purpose and became SDF personnel." Koichi Hagiuda, acting secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, also criticized Koga's remark on June 16, calling it "a statement that makes one doubt one's ears" and "extremely disrespectful to SDF members and their families who are engaged in the noble mission of national defense." Referring to Kog…