September 26, 2024

The National Federation of Dockworkers Unions of Japan (Zenkoku-kowan) at its regular convention held in Aichi Prefecture on September 18 and 19 adopted a special resolution, “Don’t allow ports and harbors to be used as military logistics bases!”

The resolution notes that the Kishida government has increased military spending and is intending to select/develop “specific-use airports and ports” under the “three key national security documents” so that the Self-Defense Forces can smoothly use them on a daily basis. It states that such a plan would only threaten the lives and safety of longshoremen and harbor workers.

The resolution warns, “In the event of war, dockworkers’ workplaces could be the first targeted,” and states, “We are opposed to any attempts to adversely revise the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution, any military buildup, or any attempts to lead the nation to war.”