November 15 & 16, 2015
The New Japan Women’s Association (NJWA or Shinfujin) on November 14 and 15 held its 27th national convention in Tokyo and adopted resolutions calling for the revocation of the war legislation, the cancellation of the Henoko base construction, and the resignation of the Abe Cabinet.
Shinfujin Chair Kasai Kimiyo in the opening address stressed that since its founding 53 years ago, Shinfujin has always been playing a role in the public movement for peace. Kasai said to the participants, “Let’s increase further women’s power to create a government which hears people’s demand to restore democracy and the spirit of the Constitution!”
Among participants who reported about various grassroots activities, many of them talked about their experiences in public movements to oppose the war legislation such as participating in the so-called “Red Action” in which people wear something red to express their desire for peace.
Another major topic of the participants’ report was the efforts to block the base construction in Okinawa. A delegate of the Okinawa Shinfujin reported that due to Okinawans’ persistent resistance to the Henoko base project, the Abe administration appears to be getting desperate.
The convention adopted a two-year action program under which Shinfujin will work to promote the 20 million signatures drive and other activities for abolishing the war legislation, realize a wide range of women’s demands, and create a stronger Shinfujin by the end of this decade.
The convention also elected a new leadership led by re-elected Shinfujin Chair Kasai Kimiyo and new Secretary General Takasugi Shun.
Shinfujin Chair Kasai Kimiyo in the opening address stressed that since its founding 53 years ago, Shinfujin has always been playing a role in the public movement for peace. Kasai said to the participants, “Let’s increase further women’s power to create a government which hears people’s demand to restore democracy and the spirit of the Constitution!”
Among participants who reported about various grassroots activities, many of them talked about their experiences in public movements to oppose the war legislation such as participating in the so-called “Red Action” in which people wear something red to express their desire for peace.
Another major topic of the participants’ report was the efforts to block the base construction in Okinawa. A delegate of the Okinawa Shinfujin reported that due to Okinawans’ persistent resistance to the Henoko base project, the Abe administration appears to be getting desperate.
The convention adopted a two-year action program under which Shinfujin will work to promote the 20 million signatures drive and other activities for abolishing the war legislation, realize a wide range of women’s demands, and create a stronger Shinfujin by the end of this decade.
The convention also elected a new leadership led by re-elected Shinfujin Chair Kasai Kimiyo and new Secretary General Takasugi Shun.
