Japan Press Weekly

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2008 March 12 - 18 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

More than half of Tosashimizu City population have signed call for defense of Article 9

In Tosashimizu City in the western prefecture of Kochi, 8,935 people - more than half of its population - signed the call for the defense of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

This is the result achieved by the Tosashimizu Article 9 Association in a day-to-day signature-collection drive it engaged in since its founding in March 2005.

The association is actively trying to reach out to young people, including junior high and high schools students, to explain them the importance of defending Article 9.

The association’s Secretary Okiya Mitsuru, 72, said, “I oppose any adverse revision of Article 9 of the Constitution at any cost and I will continue to use this signature drive to further increase public awareness.”

Uesugi Toshinori, an 80-year-old member of the association, said, “Most of Tosashimizu A9A members are aged. We are making efforts to have this movement taken over by young people.”
- Akahata, March 14, 2008