Japan Press Weekly

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2017 November 22 - 28 [POLITICS]

Civil Alliance calls for utilizing joint struggle experiences in general election to protect Article 9

Representatives of local Civil Alliance organizations from across Japan on November 25 gathered in Tokyo and determined to work to attract more public support for protecting Article 9 through the 30 million-signature campaign to block Abe’s constitutional revision attempt.

The national gathering took place with the aim of exchanging experiences and views on the Civil Alliance movement and ways to defend the pacifist clause of the Constitution.

Gakushuin University Professor Sato Manabu, an initiator of the civil movement to abolish the war laws and restore constitutionalism, delivered the opening speech. Sato pointed out that the October 22 general election brought about a drastic change in the political situation surrounding opposition parties which includes the birth of new political parties, the anti-constitution Party of Hope and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Sato said, “The general public began exploring how to maintain peace, democracy, and constitutionalism in Japan. As activists for peace and constitutionalism, we can provide a clear path to such people.”

Another initiator, Takada Ken, talked about a future course of action. Takada stressed that in order to foil the Abe administration’s intent to initiate a constitutional amendment, what is important is to step up the Civil Alliance movement focusing on the 30 million signature-collection drive against constitutional revision. Takada said, “We have to strengthen public opposition more and more through the signature campaign.”

Hosei University Professor Yamaguchi Jiro gave a talk on how to interpret the election results. Local organization representatives in turn took the rostrum and expressed their determination to further advance united efforts between opposition parties and concerned citizens in accordance with experiences gained in the general election.

Ogawa Kaoru of the Civil Alliance in Osaka’s Takatsuki City said that her group will increase its efforts to oppose constitutional amendments as well as nuclear power generation and hate speech.

Past related article:
> 30 million-signature campaign launched to defeat PM Abe’s attempt to revise Article 9 [September 5, 2017]