As the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law hollowed out “one country, two systems” and intensified repression against Hong Kong citizens, why did Japan’s National Diet remain silent?
This article presents a Sankei Shimbun editorial calling for parliamentary action, including committee deliberations while the Diet was out of session, an extraordinary Diet session, a resolution defending Hong Kong’s freedom, and consideration of sanctions against China.

July 14, 2020
The following is based on a Sankei Shimbun editorial published under the title “Will the National Diet Not Stand Up?”
The crisis in Hong Kong and Japan.
The Hong Kong National Security Law, which hollowed out “one country, two systems” and deprived Hong Kong citizens of their freedom, had been enforced.
Repression was already intensifying in Hong Kong.
Japan, which is located in East Asia alongside Hong Kong, should have had a role to play in defending the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Nevertheless, Japan’s National Diet merely stood by and watched.
【Opening Quotation】
Japan, which is located in East Asia alongside Hong Kong, should have a role to play in defending the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Nevertheless, Japan’s National Diet merely stands by and watches.
【English Translation】
Repression is already intensifying in Hong Kong following the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which has hollowed out “one country, two systems” and deprived the people of their freedom.
Japan, which is located in East Asia alongside Hong Kong, should have a role to play in defending the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Nevertheless, Japan’s National Diet merely stands by and watches.
The excuse that the Diet is out of session is unacceptable.
Japan must stand in solidarity with the citizens of Hong Kong who seek freedom.
On July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover, more than 10,000 people participated in demonstrations against the Hong Kong National Security Law.
It was a courageous action at a time when stronger repression was expected.
Approximately 370 people were arrested on suspicion of participating in illegal assemblies and other alleged offenses.
The National Security Law was applied for the first time to ten of those arrested.
One citizen was arrested merely for carrying a flag bearing the words “Hong Kong Independence.”
This was a crackdown by the Hong Kong police acting in accordance with the wishes of the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The United States government strongly condemned China.
Both houses of the United States Congress passed legislation calling for sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for violating Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy.”
On June 30, twenty-seven countries, including Japan, issued a joint statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council calling on the Chinese government to reconsider the Hong Kong National Security Law.
It was difficult to understand why Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had not spoken out directly.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, however, expressed regret over the enactment of the law through press conferences and official statements.
Against that background, the disgraceful inaction of Japan’s National Diet was particularly conspicuous.
Japanese legislators regularly speak about the importance of freedom and democracy.
Yet when the decisive moment arrives, are they merely timid at home and frightened by an intimidating China?
Or do they not truly understand the universal significance of freedom, democracy, and human rights?
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the House of Councillors should have held deliberations while the Diet was out of session.
They should have questioned the government’s response, including the need for sanctions against China.
Was there no political party willing to call for even a brief extraordinary session of the Diet and the adoption of a parliamentary resolution defending freedom in Hong Kong?
The response of the governing Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito was also slow.
On July 3, an executive meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Foreign Affairs Division and Research Commission on Foreign Affairs prepared a draft resolution condemning China and calling for the cancellation of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Japan.
The resolution was expected to be formally approved and submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, but the response was far too late.
Moreover, if it remained merely a resolution at the division level, it could not be described as an expression of the will of the entire Liberal Democratic Party.
The question was whether Japan would defend freedom or concern itself with China’s reaction.
It was a decisive moment that would clearly reveal which of the two Japan regarded as more important.
Does Japan’s National Diet truly value freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law?
It must demonstrate that commitment through action rather than words alone.
When the citizens of Hong Kong are summoning the courage to stand up and defend their freedom, Japan’s National Diet cannot be permitted to remain a mere spectator.