Constitutional scholars call on U.S. to stop using force

Prominent Japanese constitutional scholars joined together on October 9
to launch an appeal condemning terrorism, and opposing the retaliatory war.
The appeal also expressed strong opposition to the legislation the
government is promoting for supporting the U.S. Forces.

As of October 10, 130 scholars from around the country, including Urata
Kenji, professor at Waseda University, have expressed their support for the
appeal.

The appeal calls on the U.S. to immediately stop military attacks on
Afghanistan, saying that a war for vengeance is an unjustifiable act against
international law. It said that the U.N. Charter only allows nations to
exercise the right to self-defense "if an armed attack occurs against a
Member of the U.N., until the Security Council has taken measures necessary
to maintain international peace and security."

The appeal insisted that the suspects of the terrorist attacks against
the United States be apprehended through legal action under the joint
efforts of the international community.

On the bill which the government wants enacted to support the U.S.
Forces, the appeal said that "activities of cooperation and support" as
intended for by the bill will be nothing less than military operations and
in contravention of the Constitution's Article 9.

The appeal expressed apprehensions that the bill will enable Self-Defense
Forces to engaged in activities in "areas outside of Japan" meaning that the
SDF will be involved in combat operations without restrictions. (end)