Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2017 September 20 - 26 [POLITICS]

Opposition parties and concerned citizens resolve to repeal war laws by winning seats in general election

On September 19, the day marking two years since the forcible enactment of the unconstitutional war laws, concerned citizens took to the streets at various places across Japan to increase public support for the repeal of the laws by bringing down the Abe government.

This nationwide action was called for by the organizing committee consisting of labor unions, pro-constitution civil groups, and women’s groups. Amid growing public criticism against PM Abe’s intent to call a snap general election, participants in the action resolved to further strengthen the opposition parties-citizens cooperation to win in the election slated for sometime next month.

In Tokyo, more than 10,000 people, including lawmakers of the Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties, assembled in front of the Diet building to hold a rally.

Takada Ken on behalf of the organizing committee delivered a speech. Concerning the joint struggle by the anti-Abe opposition forces and concerned citizens that launched from public movements opposing the war laws two years ago, Takada stressed that this new type of collaboration between political parties and concerned citizens has rapidly grown over the last two years. Citing a news report that a general election will most likely be held in October, Takada criticized the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for determining the timing of the election, with the ongoing crisis, to pursue its own interests. He went on to say, “The opposition/citizens collaboration should be firmly maintained to win in the election.” He called on the participants to work hard for a victory in the coming election based on the shared goals of restoring constitutionalism and abolishing the war laws.

Representatives of the JCP, DP, and SDP gave speeches in solidarity. Liberal Party chief Ozawa Ichiro sent a message, in which he appealed for united efforts to put an end to the Abe government.

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo in his speech pointed out that the starting point of the opposition parties-citizens alliance had been formed on people’s movements opposing the unconstitutional war laws. He said, “Based on the advances made over the two-years of joint efforts, the cooperation between the four parties and concerned citizens should be even further advanced in order to create a new government following the upcoming general election.”

DP member of the House of Councilors Ogawa Toshio and SDP vice head Fukushima Mizuho in their speeches emphasized the need for opposition parties’ cooperation and their continued joint efforts with concerned citizens.