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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

College students found Article 9 Association

Students at 44 universities throughout Japan have organized associations calling for the war-renouncing Article 9 to be defended in response to the appeal of the Article 9 Association which was founded a year ago by nine public figures, including Nobel laureate Oe Kenzaburo.

On July 1, the Article 9 Association was established at Hanazono University in Kyoto. In its inaugural meeting held on that day, Kono Taitsu, former president of the university and founder of the Article 9 Circle of Religious People, gave a lecture.

In Aichi University of Education, students showed the documentary film "The Constitution of Japan" at the inaugural meeting of their Article 9 Association in May. On the 9th day every month, they are holding various "Day of Article 9" events, including a photo exhibition on the mass killing in Fallujah, Iraq.

Students at Osaka Chiyoda Junior College founded their Article 9 Association last November. About 100 out of the 600 students have expressed their support to the organization.

The Article 9 Association at Tokyo University held a lecture by lawyer Ito Makoto at the school festival in May, with about 300 people participating. Association members there hold a study meeting once a month on various themes, including, "Globalization behind the discussion of constitutional revision." - Akahata, July 3, 2005