crime

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

Citizens and lawmakers hold meeting in opposition to 'crime of conspiracy' bill

Citizens and Dietmembers on October 4 held a meeting in the House of Representatives Members' Office Building to step up a common struggle to block the bill to punish people for only discussing or agreeing to commit a criminal offense, even if they are not the perpetrators. Opponents of the bill say it will pave the way to a surveillance society and adverse constitutional revision.

Earlier in the day, the government submitted the "crime of conspiracy" bill, which had been twice scrapped because of public outcrys, to the current Diet session.

Inoue Satoshi, Japanese Communist Party member of the House Councilors, said, "Exactly the same bill that had been killed in the previous Diet was again submitted. We must not give the state the power to use such a tool to suppress the public."

Vice President of the Japan Federation of Bar Association Nakamura Yukihide said, "We'll make efforts to stop the bill in cooperation with parliamentarians and citizens."

Representatives from the Japanese Center of International P.E.N., the Consumers Union of Japan, and citizens' organizations expressed their determination to prevent the passage of the bill.

Dietmembers of the JCP, the Democratic Party of Japan, and the Social Democratic Party were also present.

Originally, a "crime of conspiracy" law is designated to help prevent crimes from being committed by organized crime rings, including mafia groups. The government-sponsored bill, however, targets various organizations that are unrelated to international criminal groups and gives strong power to police as well as prosecutors, which may threaten human rights. -- Akahata, October 5, 2005