P.E.N. calls for an end to SDF monitoring of the public

   The Japan P.E.N. Club on June 15 published the following statement demanding that the Self-Defense Forces immediately stop monitoring the general public in their activities.

   “The Japan P.E.N. Club strongly protests against the recently-revealed SDF surveillance of the public.

   We express ourselves by profession, and the problem is that the uncovered list shows that even the day-to-day coverage by print and broadcast journalists, freelance writers, and photographers is regarded as ‘anti-SDF activity’ that needs to be kept under surveillance. This is nothing but a censorship of their immediate and future activities.

   Thus, these SDF monitoring activities are in violation of the constitutional freedom of expression and of thought. The Japan P.E.N. Club demands that the government and the Defense Ministry immediately put a halt to such an act.”

- Akahata, June 16, 2007