This is the translated version of the Japanese edition (No.252 dated October 11th, 2016). 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 October 15th, 2016 English version No.186
One year has passed since the Abe administration railroaded the war legislation.
Now is the time to prevent it from taking effect by our taking action
On September 19th, 2015, the Abe administration railroaded the war laws. Now Abe is trying to forcibly send the Japan Self-Defense Forces to South Sudan. A9A groups and other citizens’ groups organized various campaigns on September 19th, 2016, in protest against the Abe administration’s attempt to put the war laws into effect.
Some of the A9A groups’ latest activities around the country are given below.
Kyoto groups
On September 19th, an action committee that city council members from the Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party formed with A9A groups and other individuals held a publicity campaign in the northern part of the prefecture to protect our peace, constitutionalism, and fundamental human rights.
Wakayama groups
On September 19th, nine A9A groups in the prefecture jointly conducted a campaign to repeal the war laws attracting about 280 participants.
Kamo group in Niigata
On September 19th, the group conducted a standing appeal and held a relay talk with the attendance of 60 people. Mori Yuko, a member of the House of Councilors who won the previous Upper House election jointly supported by opposition parties, and Kiyohiko Koike, the mayor of the city, joined the talk.
Aichi groups
On September 19th, various citizens’ groups including A9A groups and opposition parties organized more than 30 rallies or publicity campaigns in the prefecture to abolish the war laws, stop constitutional amendment, and get together to solve problems in Okinawa.
Miyagi groups
On September 19th, two A9A groups and other citizens’ groups held four meetings and campaigns in protest against the war laws in the prefecture. A total of 67 people participated.
Nagano groups
On September 19th, in Matsumoto City, A9A groups and another citizens group organized a rally in protest against the war laws. Although it was raining, it attracted about 300 people. In Ina City, an A9A group staged a standing appeal with the attendance of 30 people.
Kakamihara group in Gifu
The group held a campaign in protest against the Abe administration on October 3rd in the city. Sawachi Hisae, a writer and one of the founding members of A9A, launched the action.
Matsuyama group in Ehime
On October 3rd, the group held a rally raising a banner that says “No War! No War Laws!” in the city.
Hiroshima groups
On October 3rd, an A9A group and another citizens’ group staged a campaign in Hiroshima City in protest against Prime Minister Abe’s irresponsible behavior.
Shizuoka groups
On September 22nd, A9A groups in the prefecture organized a meeting to share their ideas to abolish the war laws. 41 members from 25 groups joined the meeting. They decided to regularly exchange their opinions.
Gifu groups
On September 17th, A9A groups in the prefecture held the eighth general meeting in Ogaki City with the attendance of about 160 members.
Ichikawamisato group in Yamanashi
On September 18th, the group held the first study meeting to learn about the Constitution with the attendance of about 50 people.
Miyoshi group in Aichi
On October the 1st, the group held the second study meeting to learn about the Constitution with the attendance of about 40 citizens. The representative of the group said, “Prime Minister Abe is seriously trying to revise the Constitution, so we have to get more serious to protect the Constitution.”
Religious people’s group in Aichi
On September 25th, the group held a study meeting to learn about the Constitution. 15 priests and pastors joined the meeting.
Akita group
On September 25th, the group held a meeting to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the group in Akita City inviting Arthur Binard, an American poet, who strongly criticized Prime Minister Abe’s attempt to send the Japan Self-Defense Forces to South Sudan. About 200 people joined the meeting.
Osaki Teachers’ group in Miyagi
On September 24th, the group organized a meeting inviting those who experienced the war. About 50 participants tried to learn as much as possible from what only those who directly experienced the war can talk about.
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