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Statements Archive |
LAST UPDATE
November 11, 2005
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| November 3, 2005 |
Korea-Japan Civil Society Joint Appeal for the Preservation of Article 9 |
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Today, November 3rd, marks the 59th anniversary of the promulgation of the Japanese Constitution. These 59 years have seen attempts time and again to undermine the Japanese Constitution, and attempts to undermine Article 9 by drawing different interpretations of its wording continue to this day. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been spearheading the amendment process in order to allow the Self Defense Force to be recognized as a military, enabling participation in overseas military operations.
The LDP, who had a landslide victory in the Lower House elections of September 11th announced the new draft Constitution on the 50th anniversary of the Party's foundation. Meanwhile the opposition Democratic Party of Japan is also supporting Constitutional reform under the leadership of a new representative, consolidating parliament's stance on the matter.
In the context of such debate, civil society organizations from South Korea and Japan have gathered in Seoul and Tokyo today to assert concern over the movement toward amendment of the Constitution in Japan as an attempt to paralyze and abolish Article 9, which renounces war and possession of military forces.
Firstly, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is a promise to the people of Asia of a sincere attempt towards reconciliation based on reflection on past aggression. Article 9 is a promise to take responsibility for past invasions, that caused immense damage amongst people in Asia due to Japanese militarism. It is also a promise of reconciliation to the people of Asia that Japan will take responsibility for past militarism and imperialism, and will never again engage in war. Thus, corruption of Article 9 will mean breaking these promises and reversing the process of reconciliation.
Secondly, the peace clause of the Japanese Constitution serves as a base to keep an acceptable level of trust between Japan and its East Asian neighbors.
Conversely, the corruption of Article 9 is a regressive swing towards the right, which justifies and glorifies the Japanese Imperial Invasion, as have been seen in a series of actions such as the Prime Minister and politicians' visit to Yasukuni Shrine, distorting history textbooks, and moving towards militarization of Japan under the US-Japan alliance. South Korea and other Asian countries are threatened tremendously by these shifts. It is clear that the corruption of Article 9 will cause a vicious circle that will destroy trust among Asian nations and speed up an arms race in North East Asia.
Thirdly, the peace provision of the Japanese constitution is vital in overcoming tension in East Asia, which stems from the military alliances between Japan and the USA and between South Korea and the USA. The peace provision is fundamental in bringing about disarmament and a new peaceful order that does not rely on military force, and furthermore, the peace provision should be the foundation for a new peaceful accord in East Asia that is based on human rights and democracy. The Japanese Peace Constitution, which clearly recognizes the need for the renunciation of war and the dispossession of military force, is based on permanent peace principles and as such must be appreciated as a priceless endowment, and needs to be spread throughout East Asia and the world.
The influential Liberal Democratic Party and those behind the drive to amend the constitution must recognize that the rest of Asia wishes for a peaceful Japan that protects and implements article 9, and that Article 9 is Japan's true international contribution. Revision of Article 9 would be an act that betrays the peoples of Asia and also an act that undercuts the great majority of peace-loving Japanese people. The LDP and those who are attempting to revise the constitution must be under no illusion that this act, in the present context of a worldwide effort towards peace building without military force, is an anachronism that goes against the tide of history.
The manifold invasions and wars that humankind has repeatedly waged throughout history in the name of security and national interest are still fresh in the minds of the Japanese people and the peoples of Asia. We are watching this ongoing movement to revise the constitution, which is being propelled forward by the use of highfaluting and misleading language and we vow to stand against it.
Civil society organizations gathered today in Seoul and Tokyo to stop the amendment and corruption of the Constitution, and to protect its peaceful principles, will continue to work together strengthening solidarity to protect Article 9 and create a peaceful East Asia. |
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