Japan Press Weekly

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2007 May 9 - 15 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

Majority of local town residents signed petition in defense of Article 9: First municipality in Yamagata Pref.

A local “Article 9 Association” in Mikawa Town that has 6,357 eligible voters has collected 3,200 signatures supporting the petition for the defense of Article 9 as of early May. Thus, this town became Yamagata Prefecture’s first municipality where the majority of voters have signed the petition.

The local “Article 9 Association,” since its inauguration in July 2005, held study meetings on the Constitution, took united actions to collect signatures, performed publicity actions at town festivals, and released newsletters 37 times. Twenty town people ranging between 25 and 88 years old have contributed to the newsletters.

Encouraged by the residents’ strong anti-war sentiment, the members of the association have engaged in dialogues with residents to get their support for the association’s movement.

Haseki Gentaro, an association member, said, “Our movement is entering a crucial stage. We must prevent Japan from becoming a country that fights wars again.” - Akahata, May 13, 2007