November 11, 2015
A signature campaign seeking to repeal the enacted war legislation has been welcomed by the general public.
The campaign was called for in October by the All-Out Action Committee which opposes the security legislation. It consists of various civic groups and trade unions. Their immediate objective is to collect 20 million signatures by May 3, 2016, the 69th anniversary since the enforcement of the pacifist Constitution. Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki told reporters on November 9 that the JCP will take part in this drive and make its utmost efforts to collect 10 million on its own.
In Shimane Prefecture, southwestern Japan, JCP members have already commenced collecting signatures. In late October, Iwamoto Koji, leader of a JCP local branch in Matsue City, visited officials of the neighborhood association.
In response to Iwamoto’s request, Osaka Eiji, in his 70s, signed the petition and said, “PM Abe is clearly oriented to the right. I’m concerned that Japan may be taken back to the wartime again.” When Iwamoto explained about the JCP initiative to form a “national coalition government” to abolish the war legislation, Osaka said, “I hope all opposition parties unite to achieve that goal.” Iwamoto obtained 40 signatures in a single day.
In Ohda City which faces the Sea of Japan, a JCP local assemblyperson and party members visited residents living near a fishing port. A man, who used to be the chair of a local support group for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, signed the statement and said, “Recently, more and more people seem to feel closer to the JCP.”
In Okuizumo Town, located in a mountainous region in the prefecture, a JCP member obtained 15 signatures from her neighbors.
“During World War II, the Imperial Army requisitioned temple bells and even our iron pots in order to turn them into weapons,” said an 86-year-old woman. “All the men were drafted and only women and children were left at home. I worked in the rice fields but had little to eat because all the crops were confiscated as well. Japan must not make war again for any reason.”
Past related article:
> Citizens in rally resolve to obtain 20 million signatures to repeal war laws [October 9, 2015]
The campaign was called for in October by the All-Out Action Committee which opposes the security legislation. It consists of various civic groups and trade unions. Their immediate objective is to collect 20 million signatures by May 3, 2016, the 69th anniversary since the enforcement of the pacifist Constitution. Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki told reporters on November 9 that the JCP will take part in this drive and make its utmost efforts to collect 10 million on its own.
In Shimane Prefecture, southwestern Japan, JCP members have already commenced collecting signatures. In late October, Iwamoto Koji, leader of a JCP local branch in Matsue City, visited officials of the neighborhood association.
In response to Iwamoto’s request, Osaka Eiji, in his 70s, signed the petition and said, “PM Abe is clearly oriented to the right. I’m concerned that Japan may be taken back to the wartime again.” When Iwamoto explained about the JCP initiative to form a “national coalition government” to abolish the war legislation, Osaka said, “I hope all opposition parties unite to achieve that goal.” Iwamoto obtained 40 signatures in a single day.
In Ohda City which faces the Sea of Japan, a JCP local assemblyperson and party members visited residents living near a fishing port. A man, who used to be the chair of a local support group for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, signed the statement and said, “Recently, more and more people seem to feel closer to the JCP.”
In Okuizumo Town, located in a mountainous region in the prefecture, a JCP member obtained 15 signatures from her neighbors.
“During World War II, the Imperial Army requisitioned temple bells and even our iron pots in order to turn them into weapons,” said an 86-year-old woman. “All the men were drafted and only women and children were left at home. I worked in the rice fields but had little to eat because all the crops were confiscated as well. Japan must not make war again for any reason.”
Past related article:
> Citizens in rally resolve to obtain 20 million signatures to repeal war laws [October 9, 2015]
