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

4,000 people rally to defend Constitution

On May 3, the 59th anniversary of the Constitution coming into force, a rally in defense of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution was held at the Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo, attended by about 4,000 people, including those who had to listen to speeches outside the hall.

The rally was held at a critical time following the publication by the Liberal Democratic Party of an adversely revised Constitution, and the submission to the Diet of a bill to adversely revise the Fundamental Law of Education closely linked to adverse revision of the Constitution, as well as at a time when the ruling parties are ready to submit a bill on a national referendum to pave the way for constitutional revision. Meanwhile, grassroots Article 9 Associations calling for the defense of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and other movements calling for making use of the Constitution increased in numbers.

In his speech to the rally, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said, "It is obvious that advocates of amending Article 9 are aiming to enable Japan to fight wars abroad. An overwhelming majority of the people will say 'No' if they know the real aim of the constitutional revision." Shii called on the rally participants to join forces to form a national majority on the single point of opposing constitutional revision.

Shii also said that the U.S. military realignment plan now under way will force Japanese to accept the strengthening of the functions of U.S. military bases in Japan that includes attacking other countries, while promoting Japan-U.S. military integration in which the U.S. forces and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces will fight wars together abroad.

Critic Tomiyama Kazuko in her speech said that the peace Constitution is the Japanese people's pride and that the people must not lose Article 9 that laid the foundation for Japan's economic reconstruction after World War II.

Lee Jun-kyu, policy director of the Civil Network for a Peaceful Korea (CNPK), said that Article 9 is Japan's declaration that it will contribute to peace in East Asia and the rest of the world as a war-renouncing nation. He added that constitutional revision will place Northeast Asia in a state of instability and strife.

Social Democratic Party President Fukushima Mizuho pointed out that the peace, the Constitution, and human rights are endangered and that this is why the constitution needs to be defended by all means. She criticized the Koizumi government for calling for a big military force while advocating a small government.

After the rally, the participants marched in demonstration through the Ginza.
- Akahata, May 4, 2006