March 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 March 2022.
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 March 25th, 2022

English version No. 256

Oppose Russian Invasion on Ukraine, andBeat LDP’s Scheme to Amend Article 9The Russian invasion of the Ukraine began on February 24th, a blatant
act of aggression against a sovereign state, international law and theUnited Nations Charter. Using the pretext that the Ukraine invasion is
not just a European issue, in Japan some claimed that “Article 9 ispowerless” and raised the idea of discussing nuclear arms sharing. Let
us rise up to thwart the scheme for constitutional

revision initiated by

the LDP and other forces!
This March 2022 issue of the A9A News (English edition) presents
ongoing activities of A9A groups, some begun just after the founding of the A9A in 2004 and others
inaugurated from 2015 to oppose the war law bills. The following issue will introduce A9A activities thatstarted when the Ukraine was invaded.

(Translated by Katsuyuki Nara)

Dangerous Opinion Ad
On March 4th an opinion ad was published in the Yomiuri Shimbun and theSankei Shimbun by the Institute of National Fundamental Problems. This groupis headed by Yoshiko Sakurai and is affiliated with the Japan Conference. The ad
was titled, “Kishida Administration Should Change National Defense Policies.”
The ad says that seeing the sovereignty of the Ukraine being trampled byRussian forces makes the writers want to change the constitution to allow Japanto defend its sovereignty using force. The ad asserts that Japan needs to increase
defense spending to more than 2% of the GDP, acquire the ability to preemptively
attack enemy bases, and share nuclear capability with the United states.
We bitterly criticize the dangerous schemes of pro-constitutional forces asrepresented in this ad, and condemn the way that the ad takes advantage ofRussian aggression in the Ukraine.

(Translated by Katsuyuki Nara)Reports from a provincial A9A group.
Kochi City’s East A9A Group To be Launched in May
Kochi City East A9A Group
Kochi A9A members got together in the newthat Article 9 and other constitutional issues

year and rapidly with a sense of purpose

need expression. One passerby asked, "Whatrealized that talk was not enough. Article 9 ofis Article 9 all about?" Another said, “I can’t

the Constitution has helped to protect Japan's

sign this petition because I don't understandpeace, is now at a critical juncture. We thought,

the issue very well!"“Our constitution is at stake. Let's do

It was concerning to hear quite a few

something!” Our reaction to this crisis was topeople saying, "We need the military forces,

decide to form a new A9A group: the All-Areas

because Japan’s peace is threatened by China

Local East Kochi City A9A (Kochi City Eastand North Korea.”

A9A).

After

therally,

participant

members

In January the steering committee held

exchanged feedback and came up with sometwo preparatory sessions and convened aideas, such as: "Why don’t we make Article 9organizational general meeting on February

cards?" "We need to advertise in the streets,

11., with May 3rd was set for the officialwith posters in hand," "Let's build billboards

foundation date, and other actions werein our community." Another proposal was toapproved to begin, such as pre-foundation

have a study meeting or an event such as anstreet rallies. In spite of ongoing Coronavirusorganized guided tour of local war-related

Pandemic restrictions, the organizational

historical sites.

meeting was a great success. Besides general

At present, the group has the membershipbusiness, members arranged to have a warof about 40, and it is aiming at attaining 100

survivor

members by April, and 500 by the end of thisgiveanexperiencenarrative,

touching the heart of the listeners.
Group members lost no time in holding
their first street rally and signature collection

year. “We should collect 2,200 signatures,”some said, adding, “Our dreams and hopes aregrowing.”

campaign. Kochi City’s seven eastern regions

Organizing committee member Emiko

population exceeds 50,000, and it was obvious

Takei says, “One day I put a note in themailbox of a house, asking for a signature, andlater got an email, saying, ‘I’d like to join thisA9A group. How can I join it?’ What adelightful email. I was so encouraged that I
visited the house immediately. There arepeople out there who are concerned about therevision of Article 9, so we must do our best! I
have determined to do my best in our city ofKochi.” (Translated by Sadao Hiroyama)[END]