September 11 and 12, 2015
A group of Japanese NGOs, the NGO No War Network, at a press conference in the Diet building on September 10 announced that 103 Japanese and 228 foreign NGOs issued a joint statement against the security bills.
At the press conference, Taniyama Hiroshi of the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) on behalf of the network said that the international community hopes that Japan with its pacifist Constitution will not enter the path toward militarism and violence.
Dr. Khaled Reshad of the Karez Health and Educational Services, which is providing health and educational support to people in Afghanistan, pointed out that what Middle Eastern countries expect from Japan is non-military support. Kyaw Kyaw Soe of the network for democracy in Burma (now known as Myanmar) argued that Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo should consider protecting Japan’s security by measures other than strengthening the armed forces.
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An anti-war group consisting of religious figures with differing religious affiliations on September 10 held a rally in front of a Dietmember’s office building to protest against the war bills.
Yamazaki Ryumyo, the former main priest of Buddhist Hozenji Temple, called on the participants to keep raising their voices against the enactment of the war bills. Shibata Chietsu, the pastor of Yokohama Uenomachi Church affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan, stressed that his religious belief will not allow him to tolerate the war bills which will pave the way for a Japan fighting in wars.
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Followers of the Shinshu Otani-ha branch of Shin Buddhism on September 11 in Tokyo held a protest rally opposing the proposed war legislation and more than 100 people took part, including monks wearing robes.
Fujiuchi Wako, one of the organizers, said that as a believer in Shin Buddhism, he cannot just sit and watch Japan becoming a party to armed conflicts. Professor emeritus of Nagoya University Hirakawa Munenobu delivered a lecture on the theme of how the security bills violate the Constitution as well as the teachings of Shin Buddhism.
At the press conference, Taniyama Hiroshi of the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) on behalf of the network said that the international community hopes that Japan with its pacifist Constitution will not enter the path toward militarism and violence.
Dr. Khaled Reshad of the Karez Health and Educational Services, which is providing health and educational support to people in Afghanistan, pointed out that what Middle Eastern countries expect from Japan is non-military support. Kyaw Kyaw Soe of the network for democracy in Burma (now known as Myanmar) argued that Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo should consider protecting Japan’s security by measures other than strengthening the armed forces.
* * *
An anti-war group consisting of religious figures with differing religious affiliations on September 10 held a rally in front of a Dietmember’s office building to protest against the war bills.
Yamazaki Ryumyo, the former main priest of Buddhist Hozenji Temple, called on the participants to keep raising their voices against the enactment of the war bills. Shibata Chietsu, the pastor of Yokohama Uenomachi Church affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan, stressed that his religious belief will not allow him to tolerate the war bills which will pave the way for a Japan fighting in wars.
* * *
Followers of the Shinshu Otani-ha branch of Shin Buddhism on September 11 in Tokyo held a protest rally opposing the proposed war legislation and more than 100 people took part, including monks wearing robes.
Fujiuchi Wako, one of the organizers, said that as a believer in Shin Buddhism, he cannot just sit and watch Japan becoming a party to armed conflicts. Professor emeritus of Nagoya University Hirakawa Munenobu delivered a lecture on the theme of how the security bills violate the Constitution as well as the teachings of Shin Buddhism.
