This is the translated version of the Japanese editions (No.280~281 in August 2017). It is published by Katsuyuki Nara of the New English Teachers Association (or Shin-Eiken, ) and Stuart McLelland. The translation is on our own．
Uploaded August 25th English version No.201
Stop Abe’s attempt to revise the Constitution
On August 3rd, Abe reshuffled his Cabinet to rebuild following the upsetcaused by the “Moritomo and Kake scandals” as well as the Self-Defense Forces’ daily report cover-up problem. He also strengthened the organization of the LDP Headquarters for Constitutional Revision.
Funada Hajime, a member of LDP and the acting chairman of Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision to the Constitution, said that he would not rush to introduce a proposition when he was asked about his attitude toward the constitutional revision at a press conference. He also stated, “It will be quite difficult to win the national plebisciteeven after passing it at the Diet. We might be able to win the two-thirds majority of the Diet, but it is a big challenge for us to win a majority vote at the national plebiscite. Especially if we try to revise Article 9, we would definitely ignite Article 9 Association, which is a nationwide citizens’ group to protect the Constitution. We need to discuss the matter with other parties, taking our time.”
This remark means, viewed from a different angle, that if the LDP can succeed in creating a situation that allows them to introduce a proposition, they might successfully be able to win a majority vote at the national plebiscite to revise the Constitution. We have to force Abe to resign before he cunningly introduces such a proposition.
A9A starts “grassroot counterattack” against pro-revision scheme
The A9A has created the following materials to expand our campaigns and dialogues to stop constitutional revision under the Abe Cabinet. You can get the following items after August 10th through the A9Aofficial website.
- A booklet
It is entitled “ Constitutional revision under the Abe administration will lead us to war again.” It features a record of lectures delivered at a lecture meeting organized by A9A on June 2nd2017to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Constitution. It is 500 yen per copy or 400 yeneach if more than 10 are ordered.
- A poster
You can see the design on our official website after August 5th. It is 100 yen. Discountis available with multiple orders.
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries group in Akita
The group held a meeting to commemorate the group’s 10th anniversary on July 15th in Akita City. They invited Sato Satoru, an agriculturist and an emeritus professor at Akita Prefectural University, who delivered a lecture entitled “War and peace fromthe viewpoint of the history of agriculture.”
Haiku-lovers group in Oita
The group, which consists of Haiku lovers, held their 11th conference entitled “Peace and Article 9 Haiku Convention” on July 27th in Oita City. They had collected haiku poems on the theme of war, peace and the Constitution nationwide, and announced the winning works at the convention.
Konohana group in Miyazaki
The group and the teacher’s union at Miyazaki University jointly held their 8th Peace Exhibition on July 19th and 20th at Miyazaki University. They exhibited pictures to show the miseries of the atomic bombings and manga works to show the danger of the war laws and the Anti-Organized Crime Law.
Aomori group
The group staged a poster-sticking campaign across the prefecture on August 3rd. At a public park near Aomori Station they held a “silent protest” showing posters protesting against the Abe Cabinet’s scandals such as Moritomo and Kake as well as the SDF coverup in front of the numerous tourists who came to see the“Nebuta Matsuri.”
[END]