July 2022 Issue
English Version of the “Article 9 Association (A9A)” Bulletin and News
This is the translated version of the Japanese edition of the Bulletin and News published in July 2022. Itis 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 July 25th, 2022

English version No. 260

New Resolve to Block Constitution Revision: Take Action!
The July 10th Upper House election resulted in the ruling Liberal
Democratic Party taking 63 seats and allied parties Komei, Japan
Innovation, and Democratic Party for People getting 13, 12, and 5
respectively. This gives the coalition the two-thirds majority needed
for constitutional amendment. PM Fumio Kishida expressed
determination to initiate Parliamentary constitutional revision.
This is a crucial situation. To block Constitutional change, people
should be mobilized into a large-scale civic campaign. Now is thetime to move forward to tell the value of the Constitution of Japanto the world.

A9A Group Activities Around Japan
Peace & Article 9 Haiku Enthusiasts in Oita Prefecture
The Oita Haiku Enthusiasts Peace & Article 9 formed in 2006 to as a forum to compose and promote poetry
themed on peace and Article 9. As of this year the OHEP-A9A group has conducted 16 prefecturalconventions for short poem writers of senryu, tanka, and haiku activities, including composition sessions,exhibitions, and lectures. The group has managed to collect 390 signatures for the 30-million people
signature campaign. (translated by Katsuyuki Nara)

Tokyo Itabashi Ward A9A
The group’s Secretary Kohei Moriyama Reported on latest Activities in thefollowing.
This July’s Upper House election results show a Japanese Constitutional
crisis is coming. Article 9 faces a more serious challenge than ever before. Do
those revisionists really want to change Article 9, which defines Japan as a nationof "no war and no army"? Do they really want us to turn into a country which
will potentially declare war and carry war into foreign countries? What a
deplorable thing to do!
Itabashi A9A sub-groups Yurinoki-Dori Ave. A9A and Akatsuka Shinmachi
A9A are planning to open a Constitution Cafe on September 11. With that inmind, I am preparing for a War and Peace Exhibition to be displayed in the café.

My sole purpose is to let people know the overview of Japanese history,

ranging from the Manchurian Incident (1931)

through the Sino-Japanese War (1937-) and the Pacific War (1941-), to Japan’s complete defeat (August 15, 1945), in as
concrete a manner as possible.
In the Asia-Pacific War that spanned 15 years and escalated into WWII, Ja pan occupied other countries' territories,
took human lives, looted goods, and abused local inhabitants. The Japanese government committed numerous human rights
violations against citizens, mobilizing them as soldiers, and punishing citizens who sought to assert the right to freedomof speech.

The materials I am now preparing include documentary and witness statements that graphically show the atrocities
and cruelties of war: I include statements from soldiers such as, ‘Being beaten so many times made me a demon-likecreature, prompting me to obey any military orders.’ ‘I committed brutal crimes, such as putting a fire on a house and shot
residents to death.’ ‘Let me report the barbarity committed by the Imperial Army, such as: "The commander-in-chief madePOWs work as mine detectors".’
Overall, I want people to know historical facts from the battlefields of the Asia-Pacific War. My purpose will beachieved if even one of those awful facts is engraved in the minds of visitors. I want everyone to understand viscerally
why the Japanese Constitution, with its Article 9 renouncing war, was enacted. This is our core purpose we are keeping in
mind as we prepare for the Constitution Café.”(Translated by Sadao Hiroyama）

14th Anniversary Gathering
Nankitsu A9A, Maebashi City, Gunma Pref.
On June 16, the Nankitsu-machi A9A held a gathering in the Maebashi
Nankitsu Center to mark its 14th anniversary. About 70 people gathered
to participate in the celebration, including some non-member visitors.
A memorial lecture by Lawyer Ayuko Akaishi started off the event.
The lecture was titled, “Protecting Article 9 of the Constitution Is the BestWay to Defend Japan.” Akaishi began by pointing out that the Diet
Commission on the Constitution has expanded deliberations to include
constitutional review and has been meeting almost weekly since February.
Specifically, she criticized the problematic way that the Commission isusing theoretical threat and potential deterrence to focus Constitutional
reform. She questioned whether it is effective to double military spending in five years as the Commission proposes
and asked where that funding will be sourced. She questioned the attempt to explicitly define the role of the SelfDefence Forces in Article 9 of the Constitution. Akaishi also gave an overview of what the international community
perceives about the special characteristics of the Constitution of Japan, in particular, Article 9.
A bazaar featuring handmade items, food, and flowers produced by members was held at the venue. A big
highlight was the authentically prepared Korean kimchi. Participants enjoyed tasting the traditional spicy Korean
pickled side-dish made with cabbage, onions and peppers, etc. Kimchi is popular in Japan, but people rarely have thechance to taste the real hand-made product.

(Translated by Toshikazu Izumi)
END