September 20, 2016

On September 19, the first anniversary of the forcible enactment of the unconstitutional national security legislation, various actions calling for the repeal of the legislation took place across the country.

In Tokyo, braving strong winds and a heavy rain, about 23,000 people took part in a rally and demonstration held outside the Diet building by an organizing committee consisting of civic groups and trade unions.

At the rally, Takada Ken, a leader of a civil organization advocating protecting the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, highlighted the fact that citizens’ movements opposing the war legislation have expanded nationwide even after the enactment. National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) President Odagawa Yoshikazu called on participants to continue to work to further develop the alliance between opposition parties.

Hayashida Mitsuhiro, a graduate student and former member of the recently disbanded Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy-s (SEALDs), said, “We’ve never given up on our goal. The pacifist Constitution of Japan is not dead. Let’s take to the streets and show our determination to fight.”

An ex-member of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, Izutsu Takao, noted that the lives of SDF personnel are being threatened with the war laws.

The representatives of the four opposition parties gave speeches in solidarity. Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo condemned the Abe government for assigning dangerous missions to SDF members engaged in the UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, including relaxation of conditions to use weapons.

Referring to the fact that joint opposition candidates defeated their rivals backed by the ruling parties in 11 single-seat constituencies out of 32 in the July Upper House election, Shii stressed, “The next general election will be the second round. Let’s work to further strengthen the cooperation between concerned citizens and opposition forces in order to overthrow the Abe administration.”

Okada Katsuya, former president of the Democratic Party, said, “It’s important for the opposition parties to join hands supported by concerned citizens. We need to fight together in the coming general election.”

Uchida Hisako, a 63-year-old woman from Tokyo’s suburban city of Fuchu, has posted information about demonstrations against the war legislation through her blog. “I still remember the anger I felt one year ago. I’ll continue to do what I can to work for peace,” she said.

On the same day, similar events took place at more than 400 locations throughout the nation. In Osaka City, over 5,000 people rallied in a park and paraded through the downtown area.

Past related article:
> Gov’t should not expose SDF troops in South Sudan to risk of ‘killing and being killed’ [July 12, 2016]