Saturday, November 19, 2016

We shall not repeat our war-time mistake~Protest against cabinet decision on Japan’s new peace-keeping operation



 
 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 WarProtect Article 9 committee)



1115日、首相官邸前にたくさんの方が集まっています。PKO新任務付与などの閣議決定断固糾弾。守り続けてきた戦後の平和憲法をいま、変えようとしている。大きな岐路。「やはり憲法違反としか言えない」憲法学者。「南スーダンで必要なのは平和貢献。自衛隊員の命を捨て石にするのか」ジャーナリスト。「戦前と同じことを繰り返すのか。私たちは日本が戦争することまであなたに委ねていない」宗教者。「肉親を戦争で奪われた痛みは70年たっても癒えない。若者をまた海外に送りたくない」平和遺族会。(「戦争させない・9条壊すな!総がかり行動実行委員会」FBより)

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) PhotoMisao-Redwolf chants anti-nuclear slogans. Youtube



1111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) 
 動画(10分30秒) *写真=コールするミサオ・レッドウルフさん