No prosperity without peace: Democratic traders and producers lobby against wartime legislation

The National Federation of Merchant and Industrialist's Organizations (Zenshoren) since May 8 has been lobbying Dietmembers to oppose the contingency legislation.

Firmly standing for the slogan, "Peace is the foundation of prosperity", Zenshoren members have collected 700,000 signatures in a bid to block the wartime legislation.

On June 2nd, about 20 small- and medium-sized business owners from Tokyo made representations to Dietmembers.

The contingency bills have a number of provisions that would adversely affect many small businesses. Trucking and other small transport businesses as well as constructors will be forced to cooperate with the Self-Defense Forces in a "national emergency". Wholesalers and retailers would have a "duty to store commodities" by order of the government. So-called "peaceful sectors" that include tourist offices will experience business decline.

Zenshoren representatives specifically requested that members of Upper House special committee on contingency legislation "hold thoroughgoing discussions on the contingency bills."

A Chinese restaurant owner who is a member of Zenshoren said, "Our members never meet without talking about our concerns about the current deflation. We call for Article 25 (guarantee of existence) and 9 (renunciation of war) of the Constitution to be defended."

Another member said, "We would like to increase the number of people joining the struggle for peace." (end)