Japan Press Weekly

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2015 November 4 - 10 TOP3 [POLITICS]

20 million signatures drive started to repeal war laws

The Japanese Communist Party on November 3 near Shinjuku Station carried out a street campaign as an effort to promote the 20 million signatures drive which also began on this day with the aim of repealing the unconstitutional war legislation.

The signature-collection drive was called for by the All-Out Action Committee, a united civil group of individuals and organizations opposing the war laws. The civil group seeks to further increase public support for its call for the abolition of the legislation by collecting 20 million signatures by next year’s Constitution Day, May 3.

JCP members, including Vice Chair Koike Akira, from a campaign van called on passersby to join the signature campaign in their residential areas in order to form a broader public agreement to repeal the war legislation.

Citing the bulldozing through of the war legislation as an example, Koike said that Prime Minister Abe seems to believe that his position as prime minister has power over the Constitution. Koike criticized PM Abe for carrying out policies in an undemocratic and dictatorial manner.

Koike emphasized the need to create a national coalition government which will contribute to restoring constitutionalism and democracy in Japan. Koike appealed to the audience to join hands on the single issue of abolishing the unconstitutional security legislation and help to realize cooperation among opposition parties.

Past related article:
> Citizens in rally resolve to obtain 20 million signatures to repeal war laws [October 9, 2015]