Local assemblies state objections to bill to establish procedures for constitutional revision

   Local assemblies have adopted resolutions calling for scrapping or giving prudent consideration to a bill to establish procedures for constitutional revision (national referendum bill) which Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is seeking to get enacted in the current Diet session.

   In Hokkaido, in March alone, at least three more local assemblies -- Furano City, Yoichi Town, and Shimukappu Village -- adopted resolutions to this effect.

   Hokkaido’s Otoineppu Village Assembly in its resolution expressed its opposition to the bill, stating, “The majority of the public does not favor a revision of the Constitution. There is no need to hastily enact a ‘national referendum law’ that will lead to a constitutional revision without public understanding and support.”

   Pointing out that the planned constitutional revision is aimed at expanding the Self-Defense Forces overseas deployment, the Kuromatsunai Town Assembly in Hokkaido called for “a halt to the legislation of a procedural law that will lead to the adverse revision of Article 9.”

   In Kochi Prefecture, five municipal assemblies have adopted resolutions demanding that the bill be scrapped. The Nangoku City Assembly also called for “prudent consideration.”

   “Wishing that the ideals enshrined in the Constitution, namely peace, human rights, and democracy, will blossom in the 21st century world, we are opposed to the bill that opens the way for the destruction of the principles of the Constitution,” Kochi’s Susaki City Assembly resolution stated.

   The Hatogaya City Assembly in Saitama Prefecture pointed out that the system proposed in the bill is “inappropriate as a referendum on the Constitution,” because it will make a constitutional revision possible with the support of only 20 percent of eligible voters.

   The Kibichuo Town Assembly in Okayama Prefecture enumerated “serious problems” of the bill such as the restriction on public servants’ activities and the unfairness in paid advertisements, and requested that the bill be scrapped.

- Akahata, April 9, 2007