crime_bill

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

Rallies held to block 'conspiracy of crime' bill

In the tense situation that ruling parties are attempting to get a "conspiracy of crime" bill passed through a House of Representatives committee on April 28, about 150 citizens and Dietmembers of opposition parties took part in an emergency rally on April 26 at the Dietmembers office building against the bill to punish people for only discussing or agreeing to commit a criminal offense.

More than 10 lawmakers of the Japanese Communist Party, the Democratic Party of Japan, and the Social Democratic Party expressed their determination to heighten public opinion to scrap the bill.

JCP Upper House member Nihi Sohei said, "Ruling parties' outrageous way of beginning Diet discussions on the bill without consent of opposition parties shows this bill's undemocratic nature." SDP President Fukushima Mizuho stressed that the bill is to destroy principles of modern criminal laws.

On the same day, more than 500 people participated in a rally in opposition to the "crime of conspiracy" bill in Tokyo organized by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. Speakers at the rally included lawmakers of the JCP and other opposition parties as well as representatives of Greenpeace Japan, Amnesty International Japan, and the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).
- Akahata, April 27, 2006