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 February 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 February 25th, 2022 English version No. 255 Local grassroots campaigns opposing constitutional revision
offensives are what matter most now
The Liberal Democratic Party, led by PM Fumio Kishida, is intensifying moves for constitutional amendment, gearing up by initiating debates and deliberations at meetings of the Commission  on the Constitution. The Constitutional Revision Headquarters, run by the ruling LDP, has launched a task force dispatching members to prefectural divisions. Prefectural divisions intend to launch rallies for talking with local people. We believe the time has come to spur both national campaigns and local A9A group activities. We also urge local groups to progress in the effort to collect signatures nationwide against constitutional a amendment.
Joint statement of the Japan-US Two-plus-two Meeting
held on January 7th
On January 7th, Japan-US Defense chiefs held a meeting and released a joint statement. The meeting was held online and included pledges for strengthening the Japan-US military alliance, following on with policies discussed at t the Biden-Suga summit held last April. Pledges included 1) Japan-US cooperation for stepping up deterrence against China’s advances, 2) a promise to make plans for joint emergency actions, and 3) Japan's pledge to increase military preparedness including enemy base assault capabilities. The Kishida Administration has been trying to push ahead with implementing the above pledges. The cabinet-level meetings between the Japanese Defense Minister and the US Secretary of Defense are part of the background of moves towards constitutional change. Let us keep our eyes on news which may affect the security of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
Journalist Lecture Celebrates 10th Anniversary Kaibara A9A, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture December 18, 2021, saw a lecture meeting held to commemorate the 10th year of the Kaibara A9A’s foundation. Chihiro Ito, former Asahi Shimbun reporter and now freelance journalist, spoke about the topic, "Japan viewed from the COVID-19  pandemic: Solidarity can change politics." More than 100 people attended the event, braving accumulated snow on the street. Ito started by delving into the results of last autumn’s general election, cautioning that Article 9 of the Constitution is facing the greatest challenge ever in history. He also touched upon the prospect of defense spending to be raised from 1% to 2% of the GDP. Given that, the lecturer emphasized, “Now is the time Japan should live up to Article 9’s principle, so that the country can play the role of a mediator to ease tension between America and China.” The journalist then proposed the question to the audience: “How can we change Japanese politics?” “From a global perspective, it is the power of citizen’s movements that is changing today's world, rather than elections," he suggested, adding, “What lies behind the driving force of citizen’s movements is their toughness, optimism, and visible actions." After the talk session, some participants expressed opinions. One audience member (male, 40s) said, "I still have a lot to learn, but my feeling is that unless more people, especially young people, take keener interest in present politics as their own affair, Japan will get to a really bad situation." Another listener (female, 70s) said, "The lecture inspired me, especially about the fall of the Berlin Wall. When that happened, young and old people got united beyond their age barriers. I thought that we need to seriously look for what we can do on our own.” (Reported by Keisuke Hosoya, Representative Translated by Sadao of  Kaibara  A9A) Hiroyama) [END]