Japan Press Weekly

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2007 May 9 - 15 TOP3 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

Constitutional revision procedure bill forcibly enacted

In the House of Councilors Plenary Session on May 14, the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties used their majority to bulldoze through and enact the bill to establish procedures for constitutional revision with the aim of adversely revising Article 9.

The opposition Japanese Communist, Democratic, Social Democratic, and People’s New parties voted against the bill.

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Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a press conference in the Diet Building later in the day said as follows:

With great indignation, I protest against the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties’ outrageous act to enact this bill. At the same time, I want to stress that whatever plots the pro-constitutional revision forces may devise, the rejection of the majority of the public can foil them. Our struggle has entered a crucial stage. In order to form the unshakable majority of the public in opposition to an adverse revision of the Constitution, we will make the utmost efforts.

In response to the accelerated move toward constitutional revision, it is most important to increase public opposition to the move and the movement in defense of Article 9. In the Diet, the struggle to prevent making a proposal for constitutional revision will take on much importance. In order for the Diet to make a proposal for constitutional revision, it is required to get the proposal approved by a two-thirds vote in both Houses. In order to block such a proposal, the JCP is determined to make major advances in national elections, and we will make efforts to win in the upcoming House of Councilors election.

I think that the pro-constitutional revision force’s rampage is widening the gap between them and the general public, thereby creating the conditions in which we can increase our movement. This marks a turning point in advancing the struggle.

The JCP will take part in the Constitutional Deliberative Council to be set up in both houses because it is a parliamentary body. We, the JCP, will defend all articles of the Constitution. Especially, we regard Article 9 as a national asset that is also beneficial for the entire world. In the Council, we will adhere to this position.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said he will call for constitutional revision in the upcoming House of Councilors election. We will squarely challenge his position and will drive him into a corner through the election campaign. His goal of constitutional revision is to change Article 9 and turn Japan into a nation waging wars abroad. What’s worse, the constitutional revision is led by the pro-Yasukuni forces that have never reflected on Japan’s past war of aggression. How dangerous it is for such a force to facilitate waging wars abroad by changing the Constitution! We will make this point at issue clear and make it known to the public in order to foil their plot. - Akahata, May 15, 2007