Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2024 October 30 - November 5 [POLITICS]

2,300 citizens with renewed determination rally to defend pacifist Constitution

On November 3, the 78th anniversary of the promulgation of the postwar Constitution (also known as Culture Day), 2,300 concerned citizens gathered near the Diet building, and with renewed determination, chanted in chorus, “No to constitutional revision!” and “Let’s change politics with our power!”

This action was called for by the All-Out Action Committee and a nationwide citizens’ group opposing a revision of Article 9 of the Constitution.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan member of the House of Representatives Arita Yoshifu, and Social Democratic Party head Fukushima Mizuho delivered speeches in solidarity.

Koike referred to the results of the October 27 general election, and pointed out, “In total, the pro-constitutional revision forces (the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komei Party, the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, and the Democratic Party for the People) obtained 287 seats, less than the 310 required for two thirds control of the House of Representatives. This makes it impossible for them to move toward an immediate proposal for constitutional amendments.”

Koike said, “We will probably face a backlash from constitutional revisionists. Thus, we need to continue strengthening grassroots efforts to attract more public support for our call to defend the Constitution.”

All-Out Action Committee co-head Ryo Hiroyuki delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers, and pointed out that Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru seeks to push for constitutional revision. Ryo called on rally participants to support the pro-Constitution opposition parties’ fight in the Diet.