June 2023 Issue
English Version of the “Article 9 Association (A9A)”
Bulletin and News
This is the translated version of the Japanese edition of the Bulletin andNews published in May 2023. It is published by Katsuyuki Nara of the New English
Teachers Association (or Shin-Eiken, http://www.shin-eiken.com/) and Sarah Brock. The
translation is on our own．
Uploaded on June 20th, 2023

English version No. 270

No War, No Constitutional Revision
Amidst Kishida Cabinet moves towards
massivemilitarybuildupandheld rallies to defend peace and theConstitution.

OnMay28

Article9constitutional revision, 25,000 citizens

Association held a national exchange

gathered at Ariake Disaster Prevention

meeting to exchange activities in various

Park, Tokyo on May 3rd. They expressedregions.

Thesedetermination not to plunge Japan into astrengthen

thenew pre-war environment.

constitutional change and war.

activities
civilstruggle

furtheragainst

Throughout Japan on May 3 citizens-------

Overview of the editorial tone of major Japanese newspapers on
Constitution Day
On May 5th Constitution Day, major

Security

Japanese newspapers published editorials

Treatyrelated to constitutional issues.

maintained aTheYomiuri,TheNihon

Keizaitense

Shimbun and the Sankei Shimbun joined

relationshipin pushing for accelerating constitutional

which

debate, including emergency preparedness.

advantageousThe Yomiuri asserted that "The debate onfor

the revision should be hastened in light ofwithout

the changing times.”

becoming a locked system.”Asahi Shimbun criticized the fact thatwasJapan

Bothnewspapers,

however,were“acquiring capability to attack enemy

ambiguous about the violation of thebases

national

exclusive use of force for defense by theMainichi Shimbun quoted a

Kishida cabinet acquirement of enemy

isdebate.”

proceeding

without

former LDP member as saying, "After thebase attack capability.

war, the Constitution and the Japan-U.S.

Activity Reports from some provincial groups

Aikou Funako A9A Group, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture
In conjunction with the major rally at

The young man said, "I'll think about it

Ariake Disaster Prevention Park, On May

a bit more," and hurriedly crossed the3rd we held a promotional event atstreet when the signal changed. We

Hon-Atsugi Station North Exit Square. 25

respected his retreat, but would have lovedraised placards and six used a microphone

to tell him: "Article 9 of the Constitution is

to convey our message.

the culmination of wisdom to prevent war.

For40

minutes

weapproached

It has successfully kept us out of conflicts

passersby for signatures against amending

for

76

long

Article 9 of the Constitution. One young

remarkable...."

man refused, saying "I believe Japan canPublicyears.

opinionIts

resilience

ispolls

indicateanmaintain peace by amending Article 9 toincrease in support for military expansion

allow for preemptive attacks." We asked

and amending Article 9. Recognizing that

him, "What happens after Japan launches

some people reluctantly accept extensive

a preemptive attack? Won't the opposing

military expansion due to media influence,

country retaliate?" He replied, "Yes, I think

we believe it is crucial to foster broader

Japan should continue to strike evendialogue. Let us intensify our signature

more." We inquired, "In that case, tocollection

surpass the opposing country, Japan willchange in public opinion!

have to invest a substantial amount of tax(Aikou Funako Article 9 Association News,money

Issueandengage

inanendlesscompetition to strengthen its militaryand183)

promotional（ TranslatedeffortsbytoSadaoHiroyama)

power. Do you think Japan's economy cansustain that?"

Ashikaga City A9A, Tochigi Pref..

Peace Action in Temple Grounds and Ongoing Peace Activities
Report by Junzaburo Iwata, Administrative Staff of Ashikaga City A9A
Ashikaga City A9A Chair Ryoji
Unezawa is also head priest of Tokushoji
Temple. This Pure Land Buddhist temple inAshikaga has an 800-year history and isfamous for its Mayu-dama * Festival held
every January. The temple permits us to do
many activities in the temple precincts.
We appeal for signatures to visitors andask for donations and distribute ournewsletters. We also hold a ceremony here
every year on March 11 for the victims of
the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Disaster.
Over the 19 years since our founding wehave held three anniversary lectures andwere fortunate to have exceptional guest
speakers. They were: Shoji Shinagawa,
lifetime member of the Japan Association ofCorporate Executives (first); Yoichi Komori,
General Secretary of the A9A (fifth); andSetsu Kobayashi, a prominent constitutional
scholar, on the tenth anniversary of ourfounding.
We screen documentaries including films

about the ongoing Okinawan protest against
the construction of U.S. military facilities intheir hometowns. We recently organized aconcert featuring Ukrainian singer andbandura**playerNataliya
Gudziy,During our twice-a-month meetings inApril and May 2022 we picked up on thebook, Capital in the Anthropocene by Kohei
Saito, associate professor of economic andsocial philosophy at Tokyo University.
Participants watched a video of an NHK
program where talked about his book;participants discussed the book animatedly
after the viewing.

‘Rhythms for Peace in Ashikaga’. We
formed an executive committee with othercitizen’s groups to draw in as many people
as possible to this moving event.
twice-a-month street campaigns organizedby Ashikaga Peace Net, a liaisonorganization of citizen’s groups andunaffiliated Ashikaga citizens. For the next
event in June we are preparing a dot-voting
board to ask passersby to put stickers for oragainst the Kishida government’s military
expansion policy.

For the last seven years we have joined(Translated by Toshikazu Izumi)

Translator’s notes:* Mayu-dama: A New Year's festive bamboo twig hung with cocoon-shaped
cakes and talismans against evil. (Kenkyusha New Japanese-English
Dictionary, 5th edition)** Bandura: A traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument with 60 strings.

Mayu-Dama Ichi (Cocoon-Ball Festival / Market)
The Tokushoji Mayu-dama Ichi itakes place on January 13th every year in Ashikaga City, Tochigi
Prefecture. The festival goes back to 1739 when people prayed for the growth of silkworms
vital for the local production of silk. In modern times, people buy talismans and make offerings
for the prosperity of family businesses and the safety of their families.

(Source: the website of Tokushoji Temple (Japanese)-- Click here to access )[END]