Article 9 Peace Walk in Shiga

I participated in the Article 9 Peace Walk on the afternoon of March 26,2008, from Zennenji Temple in Otsu to the Kusatsu City Hall in Shiga Prefecture. The Walk had started in Hiroshima on February 24th, and it was the 32nd day of the 71-day of walking tour to Makuhari, Chiba, where the Global Article 9 to Abolish War will be held on May 4th and 5th. This Walk is an official 'pre-event' of the international conference which expects participation of 7,000 or more citizens from around the world.

The Article 9 Peace Walk has about 10 people who have started in Hiroshima and plan to walk all the way through Makuhari, including Ven. Kato, Sr. Claire and other priests of Nihonzan Myohoji, rap singers The Foundation Movement, and Ash Woolson, a Iraq veteran and President of Chapter 32 (Bellingham, Washington) of IVAW(Iraqi Veterans Against the War). The size of the group varies from 20+ to 200+ depending on where they go, with people coming and going at each place of call. On the day I joined the group, there seemed to be about 50 people having lunch, but somehow in the group photo there seems only to be around 25... maybe each person had the energy worth of two people!

Anyway, the walk in the afternoon started at Zennenji Temple, and went on to Seta Station, through the old Tokaido Road, and after a short break at Minami Kusatsu Station, we ended
at Kusatsu City Hall where the city employees welcomed us and a rep of the Mayor gave us a message. Ven. Kato invited me to give a speech so I introduced VancouverSave Article 9 (VSA9) and its involvement with the Global Article 9 Conference. VSA9, together with other Article 9 organizations outside of Japan including one in Switzerland, will organize a session during the Conference, which will be about how to support the Article 9 movement from outside of Japan and how to encourage other governments to adopt an Article 9 - like clause in their constitutions.

If you are going to be in Japan between now and early May, and/or if you have friends living in the areas between Shiga and Tokyo, I highly recommend participating in this Article 9 Peace Walk that will be your great opportunity to make friends with Japanese and international participants, receive wonderful hospitality in each area you visit, get to know police people in different areas whether you like it or not, shed a few pounds around your waist, get some good tan and above all, you get a real feel of living and walking the Preamble and Article 9 of the Peace Constitution. After all it is all about having fun, making people-to-people connections, sharing food and conversation, and feeling the Earth underneath your feet!

Here is what Ash Woolson wrote in Osaka about his experience, which I thought so well spoke to the essence of the Walk.

Here is the link to more photos.

Thank you for such a memorable afternoon. My heart will be with the walkers all the way to Makuhari.

Lots of love, peace, and prayers,

Satoko

Tokyo Teachers Sit For Peace at Graduation Ceremonies

A quick report from Tokyo -

(If you are not familiar with the Kimigayo/Hinomaru controversy and the fight by the Japanese teachers for stopping remilitarization of Japan and its education, see this Japan Times Article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20080219zg.html)

Yesterday morning (March 24), Kimiko Nezu and Junko Kawarai, sat through the singing of Kimigayo at the graduation ceremony at their schools, as they have always determined to do so. As expected, they were both interrogated by the education board authorities, then held a press conference in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1.

Also attended was Ms. Yoneyama, a teacher from Katsushika ward, who claims that she has NOT been punished even though she has sat for Kimigayo for 8 times, more than what Kawarai has done. Yoneyama argues there are discrepancies between the degrees of punitive measures that Tokyo teachers have been receiving in accordance with their frequencies of disobedience. (photo of the press conference - from left, Nezu, Kawarai, and Yoneyama)

After that Nezu, Kawarai and their supporters went to the 27th floor of the Met. Gov. Building - the reception of the Tokyo Met. Education Board,only to find themselves blocked by security guards and Ed. Board's employees. Tokyo Met. Gov. Buildings are normally open to all citizens of Tokyo, who have free access to the receptions of each department. Only when Nezu, Kawarai and their supporters visit, they place this barricade of red tapes (yes, literally!) and security guards so they cannot even get to the reception. People who come for other businesses are admitted to enter. Ironically, there was a notice on the wall with some warnings that included 'No one is supposed to block the hallway.' (see second photo)

They argued for an hour, and both sides were very careful not to touch each other or engage in any physical activity that could be interpreted by the other party as an act of violence. Then Nezu, Kawarai's party went downstairs and demonstrated in front of the Met. Gov. Building, as they have been doing almost every day of this month. Nezu invited me to speak so I spoke of the Canadian citizens' support, especially that from B.C. teachers. I read the Resolution 202 by BCTF, one that supports Japanese teachers under punishment.

Nezu is likely to receive a notice of dismissal on March 28, which, if it happens, will come into effect on March 31st. If this does not happen, it will be a victorious event for her and their supporters. It it happens, it will be the first dismissal of a teacher in Japan for not standing up for Kimigayo. In a country that is supposed to be free and democratic, a teacher is about to be fired for sitting for 40 seconds.

For more, http://stopdismissal.blogspot.com/

Scroll down to March 24th. Photos from yesterday and scanned copy of the BCTF resolution are uploaded on the supporters' blog, much of which have been translated by a group of volunteers based in Vancouver.

If you would like to help,

The on-line petition form in English is at:http://vpress.la.coocan.jp/nezu-english.html

The addresses to which the letters should be sent to are at:http://stopdismissal.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Kimiko Nezu, Junko Kawarai and their wonderful supporters for allowing me to be part of this special day.

Satoko

Article 9 Essay by Yujiro Ichioka

(An essay by Yujiro Ichioka, a Waseda University student who was in Vancouver to study English for his spring holiday.)


About Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution

Yujiro Ichioka

We should protect Article 9 of the Japanese constitution. We should send it all over the world with pride that we were born in Japan, which has the “Peace Constitution.”

Today, there is a movement by some politicians to amend the constitution to make a Japanese army. If they were to amend it, they should form a new constitution which declares more clearly we do not have military power.

Surely, a military gives each country power in international politics. To think about this from some politicians’ perspective, it may seem unacceptable that Japan has fallen behind other developed countries due to not having an army. For example, Japan couldn’t send defense forces to the Iraq war smoothly. As a result, it was blamed by other countries.

When war happens, the people who actually go to battlefield, who actually bleed, are civilians, like us. Nobody living should want to kill anyone or be killed by anyone. It is natural that everyone wants peaceful happiness. I believe this is a simple and clear truth.

But, as previously mentioned, that it is politically advantageous to have military power is a truth, too. Now, the United States, which leads all developed countries, is fighting. And, military power, including nuclear weapons, can be used as a political card, such as North Korea does.

Thus, two conflicting truths exist in the world.

What can we do based on this situation? The answer is that we Japanese should take the lead and send Article 9 of the Japanese constitution all over the world.

Japan has experienced being an assailant and a victim by big past wars. And, now we Japanese lead a peaceful life where we don’t have to think, “I may die tomorrow.” We gained the “Peace Constitution” and this life through past big experiences. As such, we should send Article 9 of the Japanese constitution all over the world.

My idea may be childish and idealistic, but I hope that Article 9 of the Japanese constitution will guide the world to peace.

Peace Education Event Report in Korean

This is a report by Yoo, Jinwoo in Korean of the peace education event on March 8, 2008 with guest speaker Misako Iwashita. A Japanese translation by Yuri Kimura follows.

저는 지난 3월8일 라운드하우스 커뮤니티 센터에서 역사 선생님이자 오사카 평화활동가인이와시타 미사코 선생님께서 “관찰자가 아닌 역사의 참여자”라는 주제의 강연에참여하였습니다. 미사코 선생님께서는 과거 전쟁 중 일본의 역사교육과 현재 일본의 역사교육 실태에 대한 설명을 하셨고 또한 역사 선생님으로써 역사 공부에 능동적으로 참여하는 것이 다가올 미래의 평화를 유지하는데 중요한 부분임을 말씀하셨습니다.다양한 국적의 40명이 넘은 참석자들이 이번 강연에 주의 깊게 경청을 하였고과거 일본침략의 피해국가중에 하나였던 한국인으로써 이번 선생님의 강연은 현재 일본정부가 계속 부인하고 있는 과거 역사에 대한 잘못된 부분에 대한 올바른 관점을일본 학생들에게 올바로 전해주려고 하는 노력에 많은 감명을 받았습니다.하지만 이런 역사교육이 과거 일본 저지른 잘못된 행위에 대한 사실을 알려주는교육에 그치는 것이 아니라 더 나아가 그 잘못된 전쟁으로 인해 많은 슬픔과 피해를 입은 주변국들의 아픔의 역사를 피해자적 관점으로써의 교육 또한 필요하다고 생각됩니다.이런 교육은 일본 학생뿐만 아니라 피해를 입었던 주변국의 학생에게도 반드시 필요한역사 교육이라고 생각됩니다. 이런 노력들이 계속된다면 서로에게 진정한 의미의미래로 함께 가는 평화적 동반자가 될 수 있을 것이라 여겨집니다.이와시타 마사코 선생님의 노력에 진심으로 감사 드리고, 이런 노력들이 평화로 가는 큰 결실로 반드시 맺어지길 기원합니다.

유진우
劉鎮宇

3月8日、ラウンドハウスコミュニティーセンターにて行われた、歴史教師であり、大阪の平和活動家である岩下美佐子先生の『傍観者ではなく、歴史に参加させる』とういう主題の講演に出席しました。先生は戦争中の日本の歴史教育と、現代日本の歴史教育の実態について説明をして下さり、また、歴史教師として歴史には能動的に参加することが、これからの未来の平和を守っていく為に重要だという事をお話されました。

さまざまな国籍をもつ40名を超える参加者達がこの講演に注意深く耳を傾けており、過去の日本侵略の被害国の一つだった韓国出身者として、今回の先生の講演で、日本政府が否認し続けてきた過去の歴史の過ちを日本の学生達にまっすぐ伝えようとする先生の努力を知り、多くの感銘を受けました。
また、こういった歴史教育は、日本の過去の行いについてただその事実を教えると言う教育で終わらせるのではなく、更にその間違った戦争により多くの悲しみや被害を味わった周りの国々の痛みと言うものを被害者側の観点で行うことがまた必要なのではと考えさせられました。

こうした教育は日本の学生だけのみならず、被害を受けた周囲の国々の学生達も必ず受けるべき歴史教育だと思います。この努力が続くのならば、お互いが未来をともに歩む、平和の同伴者になれるのではないかと思います。

岩下美佐子先生の平和教育へのご尽力に心から感謝し、この努力が必ず平和という大きな実を結ぶことを願ってやみません。

（日本語訳　木村有里）

不是旁观者，而是历史的参与者--岩下美佐子温哥华报告会

On March 8th, Misako Iwashita, a history teacher and a peace activist from Osaka, gave a talk under the topic of “Not an Observer, But a Participant of History” at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Ms. Misako reviewed the war-time education and the current situation in Japanese history education. As a history teacher, Misako sensei reminded her audience that people should activiely participate in the studying of history, which is important to the making of a peace of future. Over 40 people, with various backgroud, attended this meeting. MS Teklla Lit, the president of BC Alpha attended this meeting and gave an inspiring feed back in response to Misako’s talking. This is a report of this event for Chinese readers.

3月8日，来自日本的岩下美佐子老师在Round House社区中心举办了一场名为“不是旁观者，而是历史的参与者”的报告会。美佐子老师来自日本大阪，在大阪某高中教授历史课，也是积极的和平活动家。近年来，历史教科书事件，以及由此人们对日本政府的历史观产生的疑问，是日本和东亚邻国关系中的一个重要议题。正因为此，美佐子老师的报告为我们带来了非常有价值的关于日本的历史教育的第一手资料。包括北美抗日战争史实维护会（BC Alpha）等中文团体在内的温哥华各界市民出席了这个报告会。因为对于参与人数估计不足，我们没能准备足够数量的演讲资料，对此我们深表歉意。

美佐子老师首先回顾了二战前日本军国主义时代的教育。军国主义的洗脑教育是日本走上激进的法西斯路线的根本原因之一。在战后，日本的教育界人士到了这一点，从此积极的向下一代推行和平教育。在日本教育界的基层，大部分教员认为不应当回避日本的战争历史，应当向下一代准确客观的教授日本在战争期间犯下的罪行。近年来，随着国际形势的变化和国内政治的右倾化，某些政府官员试图模糊化战争罪行教育，认为这样的教育有损日本尊严。但是这样的观点受到了教育界的抵制，大部分学校依然坚持和平和反省的战争历史教育方针，而这样的教育在学生中也受到了良好的效果。美佐子老师展示了数名她的学生的课堂感想，从这些感想中可以看到，学生们对未来和平的强烈希望和与其他国家友好相处的心情。因此，美佐子老师希望大家不要把历史当作无用的故纸堆，对于某些政治利益集团不正确的历史观我们应当努力抗争。我们每个人都是历史的参与者和创造者，未来的历史是和平还是战争，就靠我们今天的努力。

会后美佐子老师的讲话受到了与会者的积极响应。来自北美史维会的Joseph先生对美佐子老师的报告给予了高度评价，并且鼓励美佐子老师今后继续致力于正确的历史教育。

史维会会长列国远女士在报告会的最后受邀作总结发言。列国远女士赞扬了美佐子老师的努力，并且建议美佐子老师今后多鼓励学生与战争的受害者接触。当我们的下一代亲身体会到战争带来的灾难的时候，他们就会认识到我们曾经犯下的错误，就能认识到和平的可贵。

The Face of Jizo Production in Victoria

On March 5th, I met the people who are putting on the play The Face of Jizo on March 21. The Face of Jizo is the English translation (by RogerPulvers) of Hisashi Inoue's play "Chichi To Kuraseba(Living with MyFather)." It is a play about a young woman and her father who suffered the atomc-bombing of Hiroshima, on August 6th, 1945. I previously posted information about this production both in English and in Japanese.

This student-led production in Victoria will be, in my understanding,the first full production of the play in North America, after the public reading events in Toronto and Vancouver. Ayumi Hamada,originally from Kochi, Japan, who will play the lead role Mitsue, is a student of UVic (University of Victoria) majoring in theatre. Alyssa Knox, the Director, studies English Literature and Aya Walraven, assistant for Ayumi(what she Aya calls "a-little-bit-of-everything" role),studies Visual Arts also at UVic. I was curious what these young Canadians thought of the play. Alyssa said that many Canadians learn about Sadako and Thousand Paper Cranes at school but that is about it;few actually know the real emotions of the victims, like those expressed in the play.

Concurrent with the play, Vancouver Save Article 9 will display panels of "A-Bomb and Humanity" outside of the theatre. These panels were donated by Hidankyo, a national organization of A-Bomb sufferers in Japan. This is why I went to Victoria this time, to deliver those panels and to meet with Ayumi and her colleagues. Yoko Freer and Yukiko Nonaka, members of Vancouver Save Article 9, kindly hosted the meeting. Yukiko is one of the committee members, and she has always wanted to start an Article 9 group in Victoria, knowing how active the Vancouver group is. This play will be a great place to start spreading the word out and getting a group together. If you are in Victoria and would like to be part of the new movement, please contact me atmailto:atinfo@peacephilosophy.com.

Also at the meeting were Yukari Peerless, a study-abroad agent based inVictoria, and Yasushi Arato, an international business person in the health-food industry, who are helping Ayumi with promotion and the set-up of panels on the day of performance. In the picture above, from left to right at the back, are Yukiko, Yoko, Aya, Alyssa, Yukari, Yasushi, and in front, Ayumi (centre), and myself.

The Face of Jizo will be performed at 15:00 and 20:00 at Metro Studio (1411Quadra Street at Johnson, Victoria) on March 21, 2008. Tickets are $12(regular) and $10(students). For more information, call 1-250-884-8518or email nobu.hana@gmail.com

With appreciation,

Satoko

Article 9 Essay by Yoko Fujimoto

(Another essay by Yoko Fujimoto, a UBC exchange student from Chuo University in Tokyo.)

The need to save pacifism in Japan

Yoko Fujimoto

Pacifism is one of the most important principles of the Constitution of Japan, which is supported by Article 9. Although, there are many countries that tout pacifism around the world, Article 9 is unique to Japan in terms of the abandonment of any kind of war including self-defense. However, in recent years, the Japanese Government tends to erode the decisiveness of Article 9.

In the year 1999, the bill that bring Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation into force become law. According the new law, if a crisis happens near Japan, not only the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and government offices, but also municipalities and private hands have to contribute to the US Amy. Although the state primarily shoulders responsibility to protect ordinary people, this law makes it possible to mobilize the population in part of the US Army and threaten their ordinary life. Moreover, the Japanese Government is considering changing Article 9 itself.

It is true that Japan is protected by the US and there is some contradiction between Article 9 and the status quo, however revision of Article 9 is not the appropriate way to put an end to these problems. The most important thing is to save this unique pacifism of Japan for both its citizen and the world. Since the wars led by the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan show that war is not successful way to achieve peace, Japan should not follow the US any more in terms of military affairs. Rather, Japan should defend Article 9 and its unique pacifism, and contribute to spread peace in different way. What Japan should do is not to think about changing Article 9 but about various means to achieve peace in the world apart from military forces.

「傍観者ではなく、歴史に参加させる」学習を追及して

2008年3月8日　
バンクーバーのラウンドハウス・コミュニティセンターにて
（ピース・フィロソフィー・センター主催）




バンクーバーの早咲きの桜がちらほら見られ始めた週末のこの日、中学校の社会科教師として35年間、全身全霊で子供達と向き合ってきた岩下美佐子さんによる、平和教育の授業についての講演会が開かれた。

会場はもともと歴史や、平和活動に興味のあった人達だけでなく、岩下さんの人柄そのものに惹きつけられたＥＳＬの先生や若い生徒をはじめ、美佐子さんと会話を交わしたことが縁で訪れた人々でいっぱいになった。

彼女の話を聞いて多くの人が感じたのはおそらく、「（自分が中学生の時に）こんな先生に出会っていれば。。。」

彼女の情熱、何事にも逃げださずにまっすぐ向き合うその生き方、誰に対してもいつも公平で相手のありのままを「それでいいんだ」と受け止めてくれるその姿勢に、誰もが不思議と安心感を覚え、自分の垣根をおろし、本来、誰の中にもある心の奥底にある愛に気づかせてくれる。

彼女の生き方そのものが、いままで送りだしてきた生徒達にどれだけの希望と勇気を与えてきたかが予想できる。

この日の講演会は、そんな彼女の通っていたＥＳＬの学校で感じた日本人と諸外国の生徒との歴史観の認識のギャップの報告から始まり、今の日本が知らず知らずのうちに向かっている戦争への大きな流れをどうやって若者に気づかせ、彼らの命を守るかを訴えるものとなった。

講演の中では実際に中学3年生に行われていた3時間の「平和特別授業」の内容の一部が紹介された。

そのプロセスは

☆日中戦争の記録、元兵士の証言を収めたビデオ鑑賞

☆戦争の悲惨さ、残酷さ、加害の事実を知る ☆普通の人間の、人間性がどのように失わされていたかを考える

☆当時の軍国主義教育について学ぶ（生まれた時から天皇のために戦争に行くことが正しい生き方であると育てられたことを知る）

☆戦争に反対した人々のビデオ鑑賞

☆戦争前には、言論、行動など個人の自由を奪う法律ができ、戦争に反対できなくなることを知る

☆私達は戦争をしない社会を作ることが一番大事と気づく

そして、後半は参加者より質疑応答の時間が設けられた。 こちらも、はくねつした雰囲気の中、一人一人の体験談やコメントが数分では足りないほど、それぞれの想いに満ちたものであった。

彼女は言う、これまでの平和教育の陥りやすい問題点は、一方的な加害者であった事実、戦争の悲惨さだけが語られ、子供達が希望を持てない終わりかたをしていまうことにあると。

人間は希望を持てないと未来を想像できなくなる。

加害は事実である。実際の加害の事実は一般的に伝えられている以上のものである。目を背けずにその事実を知ることも必要である。しかし、この暗い侵略者としての加害の歴史を知ったうえで、一筋の希望が語れるとすればそれは何か。

それは日本人の中に自らの命をかけて戦争に反対した人々がいたということ。 人として、朝鮮や中国の人々へ想いを馳せ、共に手をつなごうとした人々がいたということ。 平和を求めて彼らがどのように自由を奪われ、どのように戦い、生きて、そして誰に殺されたかということ。

加害の歴史の中で、戦争に反対した人々の話をする時、生徒達の目は輝く。そして「一人では無理だけど、もし戦争になったら私も彼のように生きたい」と。そんな彼らを決して一人にはしない、彼らをとりまくたくさんの仲間を育てていくのが私達大人の役目だと。

戦争に反対した人々がいたことが子供達の希望となり、誇りとなる時、これに感動した子供達は自分達で考えだす。

自分はどうしたいのか、何をするべきなのか。

2時間に及ぶ講演会が終わった後も、会場をすぐあとにする人は少なく、美佐子さんに一言想いを伝えたいという人々が長い列を作り、会場の中にいつまでも感動の余韻が続いていた。

"人間の生き方への感動、希望を教えることの大切さが子供を育てる"

それは平和教育に限ってのことではなく、子供を育てている母として、また自分自身に対してももいつまでも忘れずにいたい言葉だと感じた。

彼女が行ってきた平和教育は、強さではなく愛とやさしさだった。

彼女が教える"真実を教えながら希望を与える「平和教育」"を通して、人の心を動かすものは何かを教えられた気がする。

これが本当の教育（教え育むこと）だと感動した。

今の日本に、数は少なくとも、こんな先生がいるなんて、まだまだ捨てたもんじゃないな・・・。こんな希望が持てた自分がちょぴりうれしかった。
　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　山下　由利子

Article 9 Essay by Sungsook Lim

Here is another essay on Ariticle 9 by Sungsook Lim, a UBC PhD student anthropology.

私にとって憲法9条とは

わたしは最近大学で日本語講師のアルバイトをはじめた。日本語のネイティブであるから、当たり前のことではある。しかし、よく考えてみると、私が「日本語」ということばを海外で教えていて、「日本語」以外は教えられないという現実は、決して単純な事実でないような気がしている。生徒の前で、日本語や日常的な文化について説明する際、いつも違和感がつきまとう。日本の名前はない、両親を「お父さん」、「お母さん」と呼んだことはない、日本の学校で義務教育を受けていない、大学に入学するまで日本人の友達は一人もいなかった。果たしてこんな私がなぜ海外で「日本語の先生」でいられるのか。幸いカナダという移民で成り立つ多文化という環境のおかげで、生徒さんは誰も違和感を感じていないようだが、誰よりも私自身がこのぎこちなさを感じていることが問題なのである。このように日々の生活の中で経験し、感じる、一見すると些細なことが、長い間積み重なると一体その原因はどこにあるのかということを考えずにはいられない。

このような経験から、わたしが今まで一貫してつねづね考えてきたことは、日本の植民地支配とは一体なんだったのかということにつきる。最近は「何だったのか」という問題設定自体、間違えている気がする。なぜならそれは決して終わった「出来事」ではなく、まだ進行中であり、再生産されている一種の社会的プロセスだからである。このプロセスには国家、教育といった制度からメディア、家族などが重層的に関わっていることは十分承知である。もちろん私自身も含めて。そしてこの過程を最悪の方向へ進まないようにしているのが憲法9条だと思う。しかし、皮肉にもかろうじて9条という法だけが、日本の右傾化、武装化、そして戦争参加を止めているのであれば、これは非常に深刻である。これは、日本にはすでに9条以外に最後の歯止めとなるものが無いということを意味する。そしてまたこれは結局アジアの人たちの声が、届いていないことを意味する。なぜなら「日本市民」ではない多くのアジアの人は9条より、日本の植民地支配の残存―天皇制、繰り返される政治家の妄言、アジア蔑視、未解決な過去の清算―について直接的に訴えかけてきたからである。このような状況の中で、日本政府はネオリベラリズムによる経済的利益追求のために周辺国の機嫌をとる「国際関係」という枠の中でのみ、たてまえとしての9条を生かしてる。

わたしはこの政府のたてまえとしての9条を、市民の9条にしなければならないと思う。そしてわたしは敢えて9条を危機感をもちながら訴えていきたい。なぜなら一度の「改憲」が植民地という呪いを解き放つどころか、とりかえしのつかない新たな支配を生み出すからである。

2008/02/19
林聖淑/ Lim Sung Sook
UBC 博士課程・人類学専攻

Article 9 Essay by David Gray

(This essay was written by David Gray, a UBC student of International Relations, for the Vancouver Save Article 9's Fundraising Dinner on February 29, 1008. )

One perspective in regards to revision of Article 9 of the Japanese 1947 constitution is that it should not be altered under any circumstances. This is supported by both the economic success Japan has achieved since losing World War II despite a lack of offensive military forces and the inevitable criticism Japan would receive both domestically and from regional neighbours, some of whom experienced Imperial Japan’s brutality firsthand in the past.

Japan, however, must take both regional and global threats into account. Terrorism, the rise of China, and nuclear threats from belligerent countries like the DPRK are all threats that may be counter argued as concerns ‘taken care’ of by Japan’s heavy and long standing reliance on the United States for protection through its longstanding security alliance (which has eliminated Japan’s need for maintaining offensive capabilities thus so far), however the US’s pressure on Japan to rearm and become more self-reliant, has been continuous since the post-WWII occupation period. Since the controversial creation of the SDF in 1954, Japan’s military has expanded constantly, bringing Japan to presently sit in the top 5 military-spending countries in the world. Should something disrupt the US-Japan alliance, Japan would in all likelihood be forced to add offensive capabilities to its defensive ones to protect itself and its interests around the world.

Japan should not revise its Article 9, however. Indeed, Japan currently enjoys a state of peace and relative cooperation with both regional neighbors and most countries around the world, in which strong trade links exist. As well, the Empire of Japan days during which the nation was urgent to catch up with the west, are over; Japan has surpassed its goals in this regard, having become the world’s second largest economic power. Imperial Japan is simply not the Japan of today, and it is very unlikely Japan would act as the aggressor that it did in the past given today’s modern context.

David Gray

戦争をしない「きまり」

つい最近までバンクーバーで一緒に活動していたかけがえのない仲間、菊野由美子さん。地元の宮崎に帰って一ヶ月、姪御さんの幸奈ちゃんとのある日の会話を教えてくれました。お二人の了解を取って、ここに紹介します。

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実は姪っ子、幸奈（小学３年）と何かのきっかけで、ちょっと戦争の話をすることがありました。

幸奈「日本は戦争に勝ったの？」

私　「ううん、日本は負けたんだよ」

幸奈（しょぼくれた顔で）「でも、日本とアメリカは今は仲良しなんでしょ？」

私「そうだよ」

幸奈「でも、もし、またアメリカと戦争になったら？」

私「戦争にはならないよ。日本には戦争をしませんっていうきまりがあるから、どこの国とも戦争はしないんだよ。だから大丈夫。」

そういうと、幸奈の顔がパッと明るくなりました。 そのときにはっとしました。この子達のそういう明るい笑顔を守るためにも、そして安心させる（心に平和を持たせる）ためにも９条はものすごく大事なのだ。。。と改めて感じてしまいました。
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「幸奈の顔がパッと明るくなりました」の部分で、私は溢れる感情を抑えることができなくなりました。

昨年の夏、広島の資料館から出てきてすぐのところに、母親に抱かれた新生児がいたのを見たときのことを思い出していました。

人間の欲望、恐怖心、猜疑心といったものが膨れ上がったものが戦争です。２０世紀の人間たちは人間がこれ以上の地獄を作れるのかというほどの地獄を自ら生み出してしまいました。「映画日本国憲法」でダグラス・ラミス氏が言っていた言葉を思い出します。「２０世紀は人類史上最も多くの２億人もの人が国家によって殺された」との言葉を。この地獄の世紀を体験した人類の元に生まれてきた、幸奈ちゃんや、広島資料館で会った赤ちゃん、そして私自身の子どもたちも、そんなことをまだ知る由もない。人類がいかに堕ちても、生まれてくる子どもたち一人一人は完璧な神の存在そのものなのです。

幸奈ちゃんが大きくなって、本当に大人たちがこの「きまり」を守っているかどうか自分で調べることができるようになったときに、本当に私たち一人一人がこの「きまり」を守れていなければいけない、そしてましてやこの「きまり」がなくなっているなんていうことにはしてはいけない。何千万の命のむごたらしい犠牲の上で日本が自らに課したこの「きまり」、この教訓を生かすことができなかったら、一体人間はどれだけの地獄を更に経験したら本当に思い知るというのでしょうか。これが人間に与えられた最後のチャンスです。地球の破滅を防ぐには今が最後のチャンスといわれているのと同じように。

幸奈ちゃんをがっかりさせることは絶対にしません。

乗松聡子