April 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 April 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 April 25th, 2022

English version No. 257

Oppose Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Thwart LDP Scheme toAmend Article 9Since Russia started the Ukraine invasion, there have been mounting popular movements
against Russia’s outrageous assault and Japanese ruling parties’ using that war to accelerate
schemes to revise the Constitution. The Article 9 Association Secretariat issued a statement onMarch 25th.
A9A Statement against Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and Article 9 amendment
Popular campaigns have been rising inJapan to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
which tramples on the United Nations Charter.
The war has accelerated schemes to destroy
Article 9 and push for constitutional change.
Since the start of the invasion, voices werequestioning, “Can we defend our country withArticle 9?” or claiming, “We can only use force
against those who believe only in force.”
OnMarch26th,JapaneseForeign

Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held talks withUS Secretary of State Antony John Blinken.

Current PM Fumio Kishida remarked atCiting Russia’s infringement of international

the LDP National Convention on March 13 th

agreements,

strengtheningthat “We should take Ukrainian military

deterrence and reaction capabilities via theclashes as a warning to us and implement

Japan-US Alliance. The following day, former

stronger military buildup.” At a bicameral

PM Shinzo Abe asserted that Japan should

meeting of the Conference of the Constitution,

start discussions for ‘nuclear weapons sharing’LDP and JRP lawmakers made remarks onor deploying and using nuclear weapons in“creating an article for emergency situations”

common. Leading members of the Liberalin the Constitution, asserting that the change

Democratic Party and the Japan Restoration

would address issues of military aggression.

theypledgedParty responded in favor.
Military confrontation and provocation

divides the international community and will

Russia’s behavior.

never contribute to realization of peace. The

We appeal to those civic campaigners toJapanese government’s role is to repair divides

rise up in order to stop Russia’s inhumanofactions

internationalsociety,oppose

Russia’sandtoblock

constitutional

invasion, and work to establish a framework ofamendment. Let us block two-thirds majority

settling Asian conflicts without force. Local

rule in the Parliament at the upcoming Upper

civic grassroots actions all over the country

House election in July.

have been developing against constitutional

Katsuyuki Nara)(translated byamendment happening with the excuse ofNo Arms Can Build Peace
Women’s Group for Article 9, Kagoshima Pref.
On March 5th, the Women’s Group for Article 9

embassy, telling people, “Send your opinion to thestaged a street rally at Tenmonkan, a busy shoppingembassy:‘Russiantroops

mustwithdraw

street in Kagoshima City, protesting against theimmediately!’” Many passersby accepted theongoing Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

postcards, including young people.

The group sent out the call only the day before,

Yoshiko Tomoda, 79, spoke through a bullhorn.

but about 40 people turned up for the rally andTomoda, who for forty years has been speaking of

expressed their opinion of the Russian attack with

the importance of peace, said, “Article 9

handmade placards or speeches: “No Arms Can

encourages us to say that what is wrong is wrong

Build Peace” “Peace in Ukraine!” Rally members

and that we should stop war.” She added, “Thedistributed postcards addressed to the Russian

voice of every citizen stops war.”(Translated by Toshikazu Izumi)

Station-Front Rally Joined by Ukrainian Opera Singer
Kokubunji City A9A
Kokubunji A9A held their regular street

arrived at the venue.

rally on March 9 at Kokubunji Station at theOksana appealed to passersby to be aware

north exit instead of their usual south exitof the plight of Ukraine, now under attack byvenue. 1956-founded peace singers’ choir San-the Russian army. Wearing a red traditional

Tama Youth Chorus members joined, and as

costume and holding a blue and yellow

the rally was about to finish, Ukrainian opera

Ukrainian flag Oksana sang a song in asinger Oksana Stepanyuk, and her husband

beautiful voice, in the hope of peace comingback to her homeland.
Passersby generally reacted positively tothe rally. More than 200 flyers were handed
out. However, an elderly woman complained,“Japan should be armed with nuclear weapons
so that we don't get invaded like Ukraine. We
need to give a serious thought about changing

the pacifist Constitution." That remark madeserious.

group members(Translated by Sadao Hiroyama)

feelthatthesituation

involving Japanese Constitution is getting