[Updated July 14th ] (English version No.72)
Pass Inoue’s aims to the next generation
Special A9A lecture “50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and Article 9” in memory of the late founder Inoue Hisashi was given in Tokyo on June 19th . The venue was filled with those coming across from the country.
A9A founders, Oe Kenzaburo, Okudaira Yasuhiro, and Sawachi Hisae, each delivered a speech, and Umehara Takeshi, and Turumi Shunsuke provided a message. Inoue’s widow, Inoue Yuri, addressed the meeting. She spoke of Inoue: “As a writer, using language as a tool, he took pains to accurately convey to other people the spirit of Article 9.”
Summary of A9A founders’ speech
l Oe Kenzaburo
Inoue said, “The Constitution 9 is ‘a friend of mine,’ and especially, Article 9 and 25 are best “friends”, both of whom I can never betray.” What Japan should do to realize authentic peace is to maintain a key stance of a state not by military threat but by peaceful harmony. The Japan - U.S. Security Treaty should be rescinded since it is good for nothing. This is what I want to say to the our late co-founder: we seek such a future.
l Okudaira Yasuhiro
Inoue wrote many works, such as “Oppose revision of the Constitution” and “Defend Article 9.” Inoue conveyed a strong message: “Humans should not pick up weapons.” He expressed hope based on human laughter, sorrow, and nature. I’ve been involved in Article 9 for over 50 years. Its influence and contents have been changing. To maintain Article 9 is our pride.
l Sawachi Hisae
Inoue’s last work was “the Massacre of Kobayashi Takiji.” In the work, Takiji is said to have cried “Run forward trusting others that follow!” In the last summer’s general election, a lot of people voted for the Democratic Party of Japan in the hope for changing the rotten core of Japanese politics. But the DPJ has betrayed its own manifesto. The party has begun to propose raising consumption tax rates from the current 5 % to 10 %. We should be tough voters not to be taken in by politicians.
Summary of Umehara’s and Tsurumi’s message
l Umehara Takeshi
With Inoue’s death, the one-third of A9A’s founders have passed away. I have known him for more than 40 years. I joined the A9A upon the request of Inoue. I think the association will expand further if “conservative” persons like me belong to it. Back in 1940s, I received a military draft card when I got home on the day of my entrance ceremony to Kyoto State University. I was able to return home safely after five months’ service. I still have a grudge against the military leaders of the time who eventually drove 3 million Japanese and 20 million Asian people to their deaths. I think people with different ideas, progressive or conservative, should unite together in a common effort to defend Article 9.
l Tsurumi Shunsuke
I was hooked on Inoue’s works when I first read his work Hyokkori Hyotan-jima. We A9A founders will pass away, sooner or later. But we want to pass our ideas on to future generations. I quote a passage from the last scene of Inoue’s work Headache, stiff shoulder, Higuchi Ichiyo. “Ichiyo’s sister rose calmly carrying on her back a heavy Buddhist altar dedicated to her deceased mother and Ichiyo, and began to walk.” We would like to follow our predecessors in this common campaign. Thank you for great work, Inoue Hisashi, Kato Shuichi, and Oda Makoto!
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