March 28, 2015
The Japanese Communist Party members’ group of the Niiza City Assembly on March 27 submitted to the city a written request urging the city to allow a civic group to use a city-owned building for an exhibition on the issue of the so-called “comfort women”.
In late January, the civic group applied to the city for permission to use the city’s facility for the exhibition. The city’s board of education, however, rejected the application. The city in its written reply to the group said that the reason why the use of the facility is not allowed is because public opinion is sharply divided on the “comfort woman” issue.
Criticizing the city for turning down the civic group’s application, the JCP document points out that many groups and organizations have held various events on various themes at the facility in question.
Refuting the city’s reason for its rejection, the JCP argued that most social problems are controversial. It stresses that if the city denies all events by using controversy as an excuse, it will violate people’s right to know and the right to freedom of expression.
In late January, the civic group applied to the city for permission to use the city’s facility for the exhibition. The city’s board of education, however, rejected the application. The city in its written reply to the group said that the reason why the use of the facility is not allowed is because public opinion is sharply divided on the “comfort woman” issue.
Criticizing the city for turning down the civic group’s application, the JCP document points out that many groups and organizations have held various events on various themes at the facility in question.
Refuting the city’s reason for its rejection, the JCP argued that most social problems are controversial. It stresses that if the city denies all events by using controversy as an excuse, it will violate people’s right to know and the right to freedom of expression.
