Major lawyers' organizations are against bill allowing SDF to participate
in war

Seven lawyers organizations, including the Japan Democratic Lawyers
Association, Japan Lawyers International Solidarity Association, and Japan
Lawyers Association for Freedom, held a news conference on October 15 to
express opposition to the bill to enable the Self-Defense Forces to take
part in the on-going "U.S. war on terrorism."

Representatives said they agreed on ending terrorism, the U.S.
retaliatory war violating the United Nations Charter, and the anti-terrorism
special measures bill violating the Japanese Constitution.

They also said that the bill to amend the SDF Law for the parliament to
discuss includes the problematic provisions on heavier punishment against
the leak of classified defense-related information.

The Japan Federation of Bar Association president on the day published a
separate statement on the SDF Law amendment bill. He warned that the Defense
Agency director general has a free hand over designating defense secrets and
this can seriously and extensively infringe on the freedom of speech and of
the press.

On the anti-terrorism special measures bill, the JFBA president on
October 12 in a formal statement said that the bill is intended to allow the
SDF to take part in a retaliatory war and would violate the Constitution's
Article 9 which prohibits the use of force.

Writers speak for peace

Japan P.E.N. Club, a national organization of playwrights, essayists and
novelists, on October 15 published a statement against the anti-terrorism
special measures bill.

The statement said that the bill is suspected of being unconstitutional,
and the Club can't support the prime minister's view that military support
is the only effort which is evaluated internationally. The Club is to send
the statement to Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro.

The Japan juvenile literature association on the same day issued a
statement that Japan must lead the voices for peace. (end)