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Statements Archive |
LAST UPDATE
July 11, 2005
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| December 9, 2004 |
Protesting the Japanese Government’s Decision to Extend
the Self-Defense Forces’ Deployment in Iraq |
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We protest the cabinet approval of the extension of the Self-Defense Force (SDF) deployment in Iraq, and strongly urge the immediate withdrawal of SDF troops from the country.
This decision illustrates and underlines the Koizumi administration’s compliance with US policy, and disregards the Japanese nationals who have lost their lives in Iraq. Following are the names of the Japanese nationals who have met untimely and tragic deaths in Iraq since the dispatch of the SDF troops:
Counsellor, Oku Katsuhiko; Clerical Officer, Inoue Masamori; Journalists, Hashida Shinsuke and Ogawa Koutaro; Civilian, Koda Shousei.
The following Japanese nationals were held hostage in Iraq after the dispatch of SDF troops: NGO activists, Takato Naoko and Imai Noriaki; Journalists, Koriyama Souichiro, Yasuda Junpei and Watanabe Nobutaka.
That the government of Japan and the SDF are supporting the US military occupation is increasing animosity towards Japan and its people in Iraq. The real reconstruction support that is needed by the local population in Iraq is not something that may be carried out under the systematic military occupation of the country.
The “international contribution” to Iraq espoused by the Koizumi administration is none other than a contribution to the Bush administration’s agenda. Whilst other members of the international community such as Spain, The Philippines, Hungary and The Netherlands have withdrawn their support from military efforts in Iraq, Japan hastily sent a delegation to the country which, after only a few hours of deliberation, declared Samawah safe and a non-combat zone. Thus the extension of the deployment of SDF troops by another year was justified.
We feel that this decision and the process by which it was taken shows a complete disregard for the lives that have been lost and put in jeopardy in Iraq during the past year. Moreover, this decision neglects to address the potential danger of further loss of life: Japanese, civilian or otherwise. This decision is truly inhuman and puts greater value on compliance with the Bush doctrine rather than the lives of Japanese and Iraqi civilians.
We, as civilians living in Japan, strongly urge the government to retract this unfortunate decision, and to repatriate the SDF troops as originally declared, on December 14, 2004.
We urge the Government of Japan to honour Article 9 of the constitution and to disengage from this unjust war as soon as possible.
Peace Boat will be joining a protest event with partners World Peace Now on December 14, 2004 at the Hibiya outdoor concert hall (Hibiya Yagai Ongaku-dou : nearest subway station, Kokkai-gijido Mae) starting 6:30pm which will include live music, and culminate in a night time protest parade. For more information, contact Peace Boat. |
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