Japan ruling party under fire for having SDF member sing at convention

TOKYO - The ruling Liberal Democratic Party faced criticism Tuesday from the opposition for having a Self-Defense Forces member appear at its recent annual convention to sing the national anthem, potentially breaching legal limits on political activities by serving members.

Sgt. Mai Tsugumi, a soprano in the Ground Self-Defense Force's Central Band, sang in uniform at the event in Tokyo on Sunday. The Self-Defense Forces Act limits members' political activities apart from voting.