Japan Press Weekly

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2015 June 10 - 16 [POLITICS]

Theater people unite in blocking road to war for 1st time since 1960

Thirty-six theater companies and organizations in Japan have expressed their support to a statement published earlier in opposition to Prime Minister Abe’s war legislation.

The group of performing artists which issued the statement last month held a press conference in the Diet building on June 15, announcing that a number of theater companies have decided to jointly work on a political issue for the first time since the 1960 struggle over the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

Theater companies in support of the antiwar statement include Bungakuza, Seinenza, Haiyuza, Mingei, Seinen-Gekijo, Zenshinza, Tokyo Geijutsuza, and Puppet Theatre PUK. The number of supporting companies is continuing to increase.

Haiyuza actor Endo Go said, “We are now standing at a crossroads between peace and war. An overwhelming majority of people are seeking the road to peace.” Sakita Kazuko, an actress of Tokyo Geijutsuza, said, “Prime Minister Abe is deceitfully using the words of security. We, as artists, can’t lose when it comes to the most appropriate use of words.”

2,700 scholars express deep anger against war laws

The number of scholars and researchers advocating an appeal opposing the war legislation has reached 2,678 in total, as of 3:00 p.m. on June 15. An academics circle posting the antiwar appeal online announced this in Tokyo.

Representing each area of expertise, 61 famous scholars initiated this movement and are asking more scholars to support the appeal.

One of the organizers, Sato Manabu, professor of education at Gakushuin University, said, “The appeal attracted many supporters in just three days. I feel resentment toward the hurried way that the unconstitutional war bills are being discussed in the Diet.”

Hirowatari Seigo, professor of law at Senshu University criticized Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Komura Masahiko for making the remark, “It is politicians, not scholars of constitutional law who should think about peace.”

Aoi Miho, professor of law at Gakushuin University, said, “I can’t remain silent as a constitutional scholar. I refuse to overlook the move to turn the Constitution into just another piece of paper.”

Past related articles:
> All constitutional scholars in parliamentary hearing criticize war legislation as unconstitutional [June 7, 2015]
> Federation of municipal leaders’ A9As in Tohoku region adopts appeal calling for scrapping of war bills [May 23, 2015]
> JCP & JFBA confirm cooperation to block war legislation [May 16, 2015]
> Christian ministers request JCP to get war bills scrapped [May 16, 2015]