This is the translated version of the Japanese edition (No.169 dated March26th, 2013). It is published by Katsuyuki Nara and Sarah Brock of the New English Teachers Association (or Shin-Eiken) (). The translations are our own．
(Updated on Ａpril 7th, 2013) (English version No.103)
Put up Article 9 poster in your neighborhood
The Article 9 Association has made a poster available to members for local posting. The full color poster features the Deigo flower, the official flower of Okinawa (Erythrinavariegata)and the full text of Article 9 with the slogan “Open up your future with Article 9.”
The poster is a response to the frequent problem encountered by local A9A campaigners. Typically, a women’s A9A recently asked passersby to put seals on A9A displays, but unexpected numbers of people asked, “What is article 9 anyway?” 30 out of 83 passersby used seals, but then admitted “I don’ t know about Article 9.” The attractive poster can be placed around local areas and used in workplaces.
450 people flock to Article 9 study meeting
On March 3rd, the secretariat held a study meeting “Face the new crisis of Article 9” in Tokyo co-sponsored by an A9A scientists’ group. Lectures were followed by a film showing “Japanese Constitution” in honor of the late BeateSirota Gordon who dedicated herself to the addition of articles guaranteeing women’s rights to the Constitution.
After Secretary–general Komori Yoichi’s opening address, Hosei University Professor Igarashi Jin gave a lecture “Rightward tilting of Japanese politics and crisis of Constitution.”Then Osaka Municipal University Visiting Professor Matsuda Takeo delivered a speech.
Participants’Comments on the two lectures
＊I felt despondent about the recent emergence of massive constitutional pro-revision forces such as Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Today’s lectures have encouraged us who are trying to work hard for the defense of Article 9.
＊Now is the time for us A9A groups around the country to start a massive campaign. Let’s create a movement with an unbeatable spirit against the pro-revision forces!
＊The Abe Shinzo-led “extreme-right cabinet”seems to have seriously geared up for a constitutional amendment. On hearing the two professors’ speeches I felt we need to stage a full-fledged campaign againstthis sinister scheme.
＊The speeches have helped strengthen our determination to prevent the folly of repeating a miserable history. The A9A faces a crucial stage whether to allow the nation to revise Article 9 or not.
Local A9A groups’ daily activities
“War-broom (renunciation)” makes debut in Sendai
Sendai A9A’s message “Peace Constitution is treasure of world: Defend Article 9!” has topped 4,000 supporters. This fantastic result is entirely the work of the local A9A members, who have maintained an assiduous signature collecting campaign since 2007. Members asked local clinics, bookstores, and law offices for their cooperation, and gave out signature sheets and got them back one month later. A handicraft expert and A9A activist constructed ‘war-brooms’, one style from yarn and another using bamboo. Each signer has been given a ‘war-broom’ to display in a conspicuous place as a “conversation piece, to stimulate people to chat about Article 9.”
“No revision of Article 96” campaign in Snowy Iwate
Yahaba group in Iwate staged a signature campaign “Don’t revise Article 96” in snowy weather in front of JR Yahaba Station. A high school student who listened to their call and wrote a signature saying, ”I don’t like people who like to make war.” A young man on a three-day home leave encouragingly said, “Work hard (gambatte)!”
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A9A secretariat information
Public Lecture“Face ‘constitutional revision’by Abe Shinzo Cabinet”
Date : June 8th(Sat.) 13:30 thru 16:00
Venue: Korean YMCA
Organizer: A9A secretariat
Lecturers: (1) Lawyer Kawaguchi Hajime
(2) Hitotsubashi Univ. professor
Yamauchi Toshihiro
Admission: ¥ 1,000 (reservation required)