Japan Press Weekly

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2015 September 30 - October 6 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Himeji City apologizes for suppressing local union’s anti-Abe event

The authorities in Hyogo’s Himeji City on September 30 apologized to a local union federation in the city for suppressing an event protesting the Abe government move to enact the war legislation.

The federation which is affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) in late July held a “cultural festival” at a public square in front of Himeji Station. At the venue, the union put up posters opposing Prime Minister Abe’s runaway policies, including the enactment of war bills, and handed out leaflets criticizing the war bills to passersby. Soon after the festival began, the city authorities in charge of the square management revoked the permission to use the square claiming that the union’s action violates conditions required for the granting of permission and ordered a halt to the event.

The union in August made representations to the Himeji City government, demanding that the city offer an apology by admitting to the unconstitutionality of its cease order, instruct city workers to comply with the Constitution, take measures to prevent a recurrence, and allow the union to reschedule the event. The union also took the case to court.

On September 30, union executives accompanied by lawyers met with city officials at the city office building. In the meeting, city officials admitted that the cease order violates the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of assembly and speech and apologized to the union. They also promised to provide thorough instructions to city workers and to respond to the union’s demand for rescheduling.

Following the meeting, the union withdrew the lawsuit.

Past related article:
> Local union sues city gov’t for suppression of free speech [August 12, 2015]