Hundreds of people gathered early Nov. 15 in
front of Japanese Prime Minister’s Residence in protest against the cabinet
decision on the nation’s new peace-keeping operation. With the government
trying to change the pacifist constitution that people protected for more than
70 years. This shall not, and cannot, be the turning point in Japan’s history.
A constitution scholar who joined the protest said, “This is nothing more than
violation of constitution,” while a journalist accused the government of its
willingness to sacrifice Japan’s Self-Defense Forces by saying, “what they need
in South Sudan is to keep peace.” “Are we about to make the same mistake we
made 70 years ago? We have not compromised so much as you can take Japan to
war,” a religious leader said. “Those of us who lost family members during the
war have not been healed even after 70 some years. We cannot send our youths to
war ever again,” said a surviving family member of war-time veterans. (excerpts
from Facebook page of No War・Protect Article 9 committee)
Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 600 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Do not sell nukes to India~Friday action against restart of nuclear plants
Braving the cold rain of November, a
larger-than-usual crowd of people staged a protest at the Diet. Many
non-Japanese protesters were also speaking up against the nuclear sales. Even
though Donald Trump, who opposes TPP, was elected president of the United
States the previous day, Prime Minister Abe forced passed Japan’s participation
in TPP by saying that it has already been decided. Abe and visiting Indian
Prime Minister Modi signed a nuclear agreement on Nov. 11, which enables
Japan’s nuclear export to India. Abe is trying to completely turn Japan into one
with an authoritarian regime. To protest against the Abe-led government,
members of opposition parties--Social Democrats, Liberal Party, Minshin and Communists--joined
the crowd and declared their solidarity in the next lower-house election. (By
KINOSHITA Masaaki) *Photo=Misao-Redwolf chants anti-nuclear slogans. Youtube
11月11日反原発抗議行動の日、冷たい雨がふって寒い冬を迎えつつあるこの日、国会前にはいつもの数倍にもなるたくさんの市民が集まった。外国人の姿も目についた。前日、TPP協定に反対のトランプが米大統領に当選したというのに「決めたことだから」と、ろくに議論もせずに強行採択した。11日は、日本とインドの原子力協定に安倍首相とモディブ首相が官邸で署名し、原発輸出を可能にした。いまや安倍政権によって、日本は180度転換させられようとしている。議会のない議会ーー独裁政治へとまっしぐらの感がある。これに対抗して国会前では、社民・自由・民進・共産各党などの議員たちも駆けつけ、来たる衆院選では、腰の定まらない民進党を叱咤・激励しつつ何としてでも「野党共闘」の一本化をはかろうと宣誓し、スピーチ台に並んで手をにぎり合った。(木下昌明)