Citizens protest against multinational role for SDF

Citizens and democratic organizations on June 18 expressed their opposition to the cabinet decision made that day to allow the Self-Defense Forces in Iraq to participate in a multinational force.

The Central Action Committee against the Security Treaty and for Other Demands published a statement pointing out that the SDF participation in the multinational force violates the Constitution and is unconscionable. It demands that the government retract the decision and immediately withdraw the SDF from Iraq.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Japan Peace Committee, and the New Japan Women's Association made similar representations.

At the call on the Internet from World Peace Now, about 1,200 citizens published a joint statement to the effect that participation in multinational force by the SDF is unconstitutional and illegal.

At a news conference, former postal minister Minowa Noboru, who filed a lawsuit against the SDF dispatch to Iraq, spoke on behalf of citizens and criticized the government for insulting the parliament. Minowa also criticized the Democratic Party of Japan for proposing a SDF deployment under a new law.

From religious circles, the Japan Women's Christian Temperance Union on June 16 and the Japan Religionists' Council for Peace on June 18 published written statements protesting against the government decision and calling for the SDF to be withdrawn. (end)