Japan Press Weekly

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2015 July 22 - 28 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Christian community in Japan opposes war bills

The community and organizations of Christianity in Japan have one after another issued statements protesting against the forcible vote on the war bills in the Lower House, calling for the withdrawal of the security legislation.

All their statements criticize the tactics used by the Abe government and the ruling coalition for not only destroying the peaceful spirit of the Constitution but also trampling upon Japan’s democracy.

The statement the United Church of Christ in Japan adopted on July 14 quotes from the Scriptures, “Beat swords into ploughshares” and states that the church longs for realization of peace, praying to the leaders so that they become humbled and will always take care of the people. The church’s general secretary, Nagasaki Tetsuo said, “For young people to take up weapons to kill isn’t the will of the God.”

The Japan Baptist Convention in a protest statement the church released on July 15 stated that the Abe Cabinet has become a dictatorship centered on self-righteousness, and pressed the Abe government to reflect on its misgovernment and to resign immediately. Reverend Yoshitaka Kano said, “We don’t think our faith limits us only to the matter of salvation. We must also make comments regarding political issues. Based on our biblical interpretation, we are not allowed to neither use violence against nor kill anyone.”

A statement issued on July 17 by the Japan Holiness Church demands that the ruling parties stop its aggressive approach which could pose risks to the country and its people. It also demands that the war legislation be scrapped. Hirano Shinji of the church’s evangelical reconciliation commission said, “We published this statement from the standpoint of how we should live as good Christians.”

On July 16, the day the war bills were forcibly passed through the House of Representatives, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church carried an article on its website, expressing concern about the security-related bills.

The National Council of YMCAs of Japan also published a statement immediately after the forcible passage. The statement warns of the possible collapse of postwar Japan’s democracy, constitutionalism, and popular sovereignty.

The Church of Christ in Japan on July 17 released a presidential statement in opposition to the war legislation.

The Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan pointed out in a statement urgently issued on July 17, “Only because of the peace Constitution, can Japan continue to be trusted as a pacifist country and promote diplomacy in a peaceful manner.”

Past related articles:
> Christian ministers request JCP to get war bills scrapped [May 16, 2015]
> Worldwide association of Christian churches calls on PM Abe to defend Article 9 [January 29, 2015]