Toronto Event

On the evening of Friday, May 15, 2009, the Toronto Article 9 Event Committee hosted an event "Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution:Bringing Peace to Today's World" at OISE Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), the University of Toronto.

The event was attended by more than 80 people, far more than we had expected. The participants were as diverse as the community of Toronto,including the students and faculties of the University of Toronto, local peace activists and journalists, and a few participants from out of town,including one person who travelled from New York just to attend this event.

The evening started with author Joy Kogawa's compelling speech about her past in which she was discriminated as an enemy alien during the WWII because of her Japanese heritage, and that Article 9 is the one thing that she can be proud of and "what is best in today’s Japan." Then we screened the film "Japan's Peace Constitution," directed by John Junkerman. This is the film that Vancouver Save Article 9 used many times to promote the knowledge about and awareness for Article 9 and its global significance between 2005 and 2006, resulting in the large increases in the membership.

After the film, I presented the current conditions surrounding Article 9on the political and popular fronts. I stated the fact that the most polls indicate that the majority of Japanese people want to keep the current Article 9, despite the ongoing government's attempts to change it and establish facts that undermine it. May 15 was also the anniversary of Okinawa's reversion from the U.S. to Japan back in 1972. Yusuke Tanaka, a journalist and a storyteller, told a story with his music, about that time he was involved with students' peace movement.

Historian Peter Kuznick talked about some of the U.S. past leaders and their involvement with decisions to develop, use and expand their nuclear arsenals, and commended hibakusha, or atomic-bomb survivors' for their contributions to the world efforts to reduce and eliminate the destructive weapons that could lead to human annihilation. Setsuko Thurlow concluded the event with her many insights ranging from her experience of atomic-bombing in Hiroshima to her ongoing dedication to peace movements and the importance of keeping and realizing Article 9.

Overall the event was well-received with comments from the participants like, "The film brings rich commentary from around the world and wonderful historical snippets and analysis," "Each speaker brought a different character to their presentation," and "It was truly inspiring. I want to get involved with the Article 9 movement, as we should educate more people about the importance of the issue." One regret about the evening was that there was not enough time for Q & A and to hear thoughts and comments from the audience.


The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education/OISE, and supported by Vancouver Save Article 9,and Peace Philosophy Centre. Many thanks to the committee members and volunteers for their help, especially Tomoe Otsuki, who made it possible for this event to take place at OISE/University of Toronto.

With appreciation,

Satoko Norimatsu

Comment on the flim "Frontline for Peace- Traveling for Gratitude"

誰もが、自分の、そして大切な人たちの、心の平和を願っている。Everyone is hoping for one's own peace of mind, and also for that of his/her beloved ones.

お腹が空けば食べるものを買えるお金があること

That when I'm hungry, I have money to buy something to eat

ノドが乾けばいつでも奇麗な水が飲めること

That whenever I'm thirsty, I have access to clean water to drink

安心して眠れる場所があること

That I have a place to sleep without any fear

興味のある勉強が思う存分できていること、、、、

That I can study what I am interested in, as much as I could....

そんな私の日常は当たり前ではないということは、頭では分っている。

I think I am well aware of that such a "daily life", which I often take it for granted, is not something "normal" or "ordinary".

それは、日本にも、バンクーバーにも、ホームレスと呼ばれる人たちがいて、特にバンクーバーに住むようになってからは、「貧困」というものが私が日本で暮らしていたときよりも、もっと身近に感じられるようになったから。

Japan, where I'm from, also have people called "homeless", but I have come to feel "poverty" as something much closer to me especially after living in Vancouver for a while.

子供の頃の私は「ホームレスになる人は、怠け者なんだ」という見方しかできていなかった。「私はこうならないようにしなくちゃ。私はこの人たちとは違う」なんてことを思っていた。 しかし、ホームレス問題には色んな社会的背景があるということに気がついたとき、ホームレスの人たちや物乞い／お金を乞う人たちの姿を観ると、同情するようになった。

When I was a child, and when I was living in Japan, I simply took homeless people as being "lazy".

"I should try not to be like them. I am different from them"- I even had this kind of thoughts.

However, when I realized that there are various kinds of social aspects perpetuating the issue of homelessness, I began to feel compassion toward the poor who are begging for money and food on the street.

でも、、、、私に何ができるんだろう？

But....what can I do about it?

「仕方ない」で済ませていい問題ではない。

じゃあ、どうすればいい？

私たちに何ができる？

I know, it's not something to be settled by saying "that's the way it is".

But then, what can be done?

What can WE do?

映画「ありがとうの物語」で紹介されている、フィリピンの女の子（Mary-Jane）は 貧困のため、父は出稼ぎに行ったまま帰ってこない、母は兄とメリージェーンを残して故郷に帰ってしまって消息不明。病気のおばあさんと、お兄さんと３人で協力して生活していた。

The film, "Frontline for Peace- Traveling for Gratitude", introduces a girl, Mary-Jane, living in the Philippines. Because of the poverty, Mary-Jane has been separated from her parents. Her father left the country to find work somewhere in other countries, and he never returned. Her mother went back to her hometown without her children - Mary-Jane and her older brother.

Mary-Jane lived with her brother and grandmother who had been ill.

働いて働いて、、、それでもその日その日を生き抜くので精一杯。

Mary-Jane and her brother worked so hard, every single day.

but still, just to survive each day is all what they can do.

「どんなに働いても、貧しさから解放される日は来ない」

"No matter how hard they work, they can never be able to be set free from poorness"

一生懸命に生きている彼女の前にある現実が、これでいいわけがない。

It should not be the reality, the only one possible reality, for her who is living her life by putting her all into every day, every moment.

‥‥私たちに何ができるだろう？

.....then, what can we do?

私は、 「何ができるんだろうか？」と考え始めると 大きな壁が目の前にあって、身動きがとれない感覚になってしまうときがある。

Whenever I face this question, "what I can do?", I often feel like being pinned down.  

I feel like I can't move at all - total powerless.

でも、メリージェーンや、映画の中にでてきた他の子供達は、みんな笑顔が輝いていた。命を輝かせていた。But..., all the children I saw in the film had very bright smiles.  

辛い気持ち、悲しい気持ちも、きっと抱えているだろうに。 

they must have feelings of pain, bitterness, and sadness inside their hearts, but they are brightening their life.

映画の中で、桑山さんが何度が使っていた言葉。

The word Dr. Kuwayama uses several times in the film...

「命を輝かせる」

"Brightening a life"

なんて素敵な言葉だろう、と思った。

What a beautiful word.....I felt.

生きている場所•状況はそれぞれ違っても、ひとつひとつの命がかけがえのない大切なもだとしたら、それぞれの命に物語があるとしたら、、、

If each life is really precious and special.....

if each life has different stories....

この映画で観た、懸命に生き、命を輝かせている子供達のように

それぞれの命が「ありがとうの物語」になるように 命を輝かせていくことの大切さを感じながら生きていく。。。

Just like the children shown in the film, who actually are brightening their lives....

one of the things we can do and what we must do is.....

それが私に、私たちに、できることの大切なひとつなんじゃないかと思った。

To brighten each of our lives - Wherever we are....whatever situation we are in .

どんな場所で生きていても、誰もがそれぞれ何かしら苦しみや問題を抱えて生きている。 どんな社会も、必ず問題を抱えている。

Each one of us live with different concerns, problems, hardships, saddness......wherever we live . There is no society without problems and issues.

でも、どんな状況でも、自分次第で、自分のあり方次第で

自分の中に、そして誰か他の人の中に、「ありがとう」を生むことはできると信じて。

But....

We must believe that every life will be different one- better or worse-, depending on how we live.

It's all depending on how each of us live if we can make our life grateful one....

 

Love the life you live,

Love the people you live with,

Love the world you are in....

Shoko

2009 Events

Here are 2009 events related to topics of interest - peace, sustainability, and education. These are events that I (Satoko) either organize, co-organize, participate, or am involved with in some capacity, either as an individual or representing Peace Philosophy Centre and/or Vancouver Save Article 9. Details of these events are subject to change. The upcoming event is at the top of the list, and the past events are at the bottom. Please email info@peacephilosophy.com for more information. Upcoming Events of 2009:

* "Peace Philosophy Salon" is held mostly on Saturday evenings at Peace Philosophy Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is an informal gathering in which we learn and discuss current issues of interest. Sometimes we watch documentary films together and other times we have guest speakers. We have basic structure of each event, but content and process are organic and flexible, depending on the needs and interests of participants. Satoko acts as a facilitator of dialogue and discussion. It is a space for mutual learning and empowerment.

*Peace Philosophy Centre's Year End Social on December 5 has been cancelled, due to the schedule of conflict with another event on the same evening.



Past Events of 2009:

White Rock Event: "Quilting For Peace"
Date and Time : Saturday, February 14, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: White Rock (email whiterock@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: White Rock Group, Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon: the Constitution of Japan
Date and Time: Saturday, February 21, 7:30 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details), Vancouver, BC, Canada
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon: Senji Yamamoto
Date and Time: Saturday, February 28, 7:00PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details), Vancouver, BC, Canada
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon: Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Journey of the Heart
Date and Time: Saturday, March 14, 7:00 PM - Location: Peace Philosophy Centre (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details), Vancouver, BC, Canada
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Vancouver Save Article 9 Event - Sharing Wartime Experience
Date and Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Saturday, March 21
Location: Vancouver Japanese Language School
Organized by: Vancouver Save Article 9

Towards peace in Northeast Asia: Japanese people's initiatives
Satoko Norimatsu, a Vancouver-based community peace educator will introduce citizens' initiatives inside and outside of Japan to promote peace in Northeast Asia. The topics will include Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, peace museum movements, and various organizations that advocate for victims of Japanese aggression in Asia including Nanjing Massacre and military sex slavery, and their efforts to raise awareness within the Japanese society.
Date and time: 10:30 - 12:30, Thursday March 26
Location: Langara College, Vancouver

Peace Philosophy Salon: Nanjing Massacre
Date and Time: Saturday, March 28, 7:00 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

White Rock Event: The Power of Forgiveness
Date and Time: Saturday, April 4, 1:30 PM -
Place: White Rock (email whiterock@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: White Rock Group, Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon: Spring Wrap-up and Social
Date and Time: Saturday, April 11, 6:00 PM-
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

A Vancouver Save Article 9 Event to celebrate the 62nd birthday of Japan's Constitution
Date and Time: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Saturday May 2
Locaion: Vancouver Japanese Language School
Organized by: Vancouver Save Article 9

A Special Article 9 Event in Toronto
Date and Time: 6:30 - 9:30, May 15, 2009
Location: University of Toronto
Organized by: Tornoto Article 9 Event Committee
Supported by: Vancouver Save Article 9, Peace Philosophy Centre
Contact event@peacephilosophy.com for details.

Special Film Event: Chikyu No Stage – Arigato no Monogatari (Frontline for Peace – Traveling for Gratitude)
Date and Time: 1-3 PM, May 24, 2009　
Location: Nikkei Heritage Centre Organized by: Vancouver Frontline for Peace
* Peace Philosophy Centre is a supporting organization.

Japan - Global Issues Tour (Webster University)
June 1 - 10, 2009
*Satoko acted as co-instructor and translator.

Vancouver Save Article 9 Family Event
June 7, 2009

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Tour Orientation Meeting
1 PM - 4 PM, Sunday July 5
at Peace Philosophy Centre

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Study Tour
July 31 - August 11, 2009

White Rock Meeting - Food and Safety
Date and Time: 1:30 PM - Saturday, September 12
Place: White Rock (email whiterock@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: White Rock Group

Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Beyond A Report-Back Event
Date and Time: 5-7:30 PM, Saturday, October 3
Place: Roundhouse Community Centre (Yaletown, Vancouver)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

White Rock Meeting - Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Beyond
Date and Time: 1:30 PM - Saturday, October 10
Place: White Rock (email whiterock@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: White Rock Group

Peace Philosophy Salon - Follow-up of Hiroshima/Nagasaki
Date and Time: Saturday, October 17, 7:00 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon - Article 9 of Japanese Constitution
Date and Time: Saturday, October 24, 7:00 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada (email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Vancouver Save Article 9 Event
"New Hatoyama Administration's Implication for Japan's Foreign Policyand the Constitutional Revision Issue" With Yves Tiberghien, UBC Political Science
Date and time: 7-9PM, October 28 (Wed.)
Place: Nikkei Heritage Centre
Organized by: Vancouver Save Article 9
Supported by: JCCA Human Rights Commitee English with Japanese translation
* Satoko will act as coordinator and translator in this event.

Peace Philosophy Salon - Yesterday Is Now
Date and Time: Saturday, November 14, 7:00 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre

Peace Philosophy Salon - Guest Speaker Tatsuo Kage
Date and Time: Saturday, November 28, 7:00 PM -
Location: Peace Philosophy Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(email info@peacephilosophy.com for details)
Organized by: Peace Philosophy Centre


Human Rights Are Universal!
- On the Occasion of the 61st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 5, Saturday
6 - 9:30 PM
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 East Broadway
Organized by: The Human Righs Day Committee
* Peace Philosophy Centre is an endorsing organization of this event.

International Human Rights Day Student Symposium
Theme: Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific 1931-1945
Date and Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, December 10
Location: Vancouver Board of Education
Organized by: Vancouver School Board, BC ALPHA
* Satoko Norimatsu will speak at this event.

White Rock Meeting - Quilting, Japan's New Administration and Article 9
Date and Time: Saturday, December 12, 1:30 PM -
Location: White Rock
Organized by: White Rock Group

An Article 9 Event in Toronto

A Special Event at the University of Toronto:

"Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution:

Bringing Peace into Today's World"

Date and Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM, May 15, 2009

Location: Room OI 2212
OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto)
252 Bloor Street West (St. George Subway)

Event Programme:

- Screening of "Japan's Peace Constitution" (John Junkerman, Dir.; 2005. 78 min.) Followed by

- Short presentations, discussion and Q&A's with;

• Joy Kogawa, Author and recipient of Order of Canada
• Setsuko Thurlow, Hiroshima survivor, social worker and recipient of Order of Canada
• Peter Kuznick, Professor of History, American University
• Satoko Norimatsu, Director of Peace Philosophy Centre
• David McIntosh, Founding member of Vancouver Save Article 9

- Songs for Peace and Storytelling "May 15, 1972" Yusuke Tanaka, Writer

RSVP before May 12 by email to event@peacephilosophy.com with your name and number of people attending.

Admission free (Donations toward expenses appreciated)

Light refreshments will be served.

Organized by: Toronto Article 9 Event Committee(Koko Kikuchi, David McIntosh, Satoko Norimatsu, Tomoe Otsuki,and Yusuke Tanaka)

Co-sponsored by: Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education/OISE

Supporting organizations:
Vancouver Save Article 9
Peace Philosophy Centre

More about this Event:

May 2009 marks the 62nd anniversary of the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan, which includes the war-renouncing clause, Article9. It reads:"Aspiring sincerely to an international peace and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized."

Japan's current constitution was adopted after war in Asia and the Pacific came to an end in August, 1945, after taking the lives of over20 million people. While Article 9 stands as a symbolic expression of Japan's remorse for its aggressive past, particularly against the neighbouring peoples of Asia, it has also effectively prevented Japan from resorting to violence in international disputes for the last 62years. There has been, however, constant pressure from successive conservative-led governments to revise Article 9 and diminish its substance by enacting laws that would allow dispatch of the SDF (Self Defense Force) to other countries. In the mean time, a nationwide citizens' movement has arisen to protect the soul of the Constitution,Article 9. Today there are more than 7,000 "Save Article 9"organizations across Japan and several outside of Japan. One of these,Vancouver Save Article 9 was founded in 2005 and now has 200 members strong.

In this event, the first of such nature in Toronto, we will watch John Junkerman's acclaimed documentary film, "Japan's Peace Constitution," in which the international significance of Article 9 is discussed by scholars, activists and citizens around the world, including U.S. media critic Noam Chomsky and Chinese filmmaker Ban Zhongyi. After the film,author Joy Kogawa and Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow will share her insights about war, peace and Article 9. Dr. Peter Kuznick will talk about his work of helping Americans face their past crimes, particularly the use of atomic-bombs against Japan,and the implication of Article 9 for a nuclear-free world, with reference to the recent commitment by President Obama to pursue serious initiatives toward reducing and eventually eliminating all nuclear weapons in the world. Satoko Norimatsu and David McIntosh will moderate the event and also talk about some of the activities and experiences of the pro-Article 9 movement in Vancouver.

The event date, May 15, happens to be the 37th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan, so we will also discuss the meaning of Article 9 as it relates to Okinawa. Okinawa was one of the deadliest battlefields in the Pacific War and, after the war, became home to 75%of the U.S. military facilities in Japan. Yusuke Tanaka will dedicate songs for peace and tell a story, "May 15, 1972," to commemorate this milestone. We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Please feel free to forward this announcement to your network of friends and colleagues. It is our sincere hope that this event will contribute one small stride to our common walk toward peace.

Toronto Article 9 Event Committee
contact: event@peacephilosophy.com

Profiles of Speakers/Moderators/Performers

Joy Kogawa
Joy Kogawa, born in Vancouver B.C., in 1935, is a writer living in　Toronto. She is best known for her novel "Obasan." Her most recent book　is a children's story, "Naomi's Tree." Her present work-in-progress is　entitled, "Gently to Nagasaki." She is a Member of the Order of Canada　and the Order of British Columbia and has been awarded seven honorary　doctorates and numerous prizes for her writing.

Peter Kuznick
The author of Beyond the Laboratory: Scientists as Political Activists in 1930s America and coeditor of Rethinking Cold War Culture, Peter Kuznick is currently writing a book exploring how the belief that nuclear war could end all life on the planet has shaped the behavior and views of military strategists, policymakers, writers and filmmakers, and the public. He is also writing a 10-part documentary film series with Oliver Stone. As director of American University’s award winning Nuclear Studies Institute, he takes students on an annual study abroad trip to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He spearheaded the Committee for a National Discussion of Nuclear History and Current Policy in response to the Smithsonian’s latest Enola Gay exhibit and co-founded the Nuclear Education Project. He writes often and lectures frequently about nuclear issues in general and the atomic bombings in particular. He regularly provides commentary to the media on a broad range of subjects and was selected Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer 2004-2007 and 2007-2010.

Setsuko Thurlow
Born in Hiroshima, Setsuko graduated from Hiroshima Jogakuin in 1954. She received further education in Social Work in Virginia, USA and at the University of Toronto. She married a Canadian and became a permanent resident of Toronto in 1962. She worked until retirement as a social worker in educational, clinical and women's organizations. She was the founder of Japanese Family Services (now Japanese Social Services) and did extensive community organization work in East Asian communities in Toronto. In 1974 she established a group called Hiroshima-Nagasaki Relived dedicated to public education regarding the threat of nuclear war, and this led to an extensive anti-nuclear weapon campaign world-wide. She was the recipient of membership in the Order of Canada in 2007.

Yusuke Tanaka
Born in Sapporo, Japan in 1951, Yusuke Tanaka moved to Tokyo and studied sociology at Waseda University. He immigrated to Canada in 1986 and he has been the Japanese editor of Toronto-based Nikkei Voice newspaper since 1989. He has been leading Katari Japanese Storytellers since 1994, writing and telling his own stories and folklore both in English and Japanese.

Satoko Norimatsu
Satoko Norimatsu is Director of Peace Philosophy Centre, a Vancouver-based organization that promotes education for peace and sustainability. She is also a founding member of Vancouver Save Article 9, and an instructor at UBC Centre for Intercultural Communication. Satoko speaks at conferences and organizes peace events, including “Peace Philosophy Salon,” in which she brings young people together to learn from history and create a peaceful future. Satoko can be contacted at info@peacephilosophy.com , and more information about her activities can be found at http://www.peacephilosophy.com/.

David McIntosh
David McIntosh was born 1960 in Toronto and raised in Osaka, Japan as son of missionaries among Koreans in Japan. A lazy student at school, David learned much of his history through stories of Koreans who were displace from their homeland, forced to labour for their imperial conquerors, then discriminated in many ways after their “emancipation” in 1945. David has been active in a variety of community groups advocating for historical honesty, justice and peace. He is a founding member of Vancouver Save Article 9 and Vancouver 9/11 Truth Society and currently works as a professional interpreter and translator.

HoC MP Aihara apoligizes to the victims of PingDing Shan Massacare 日本上院议员相原久美子向平顶山惨案受害者致歉 相原久美子議員ら民主議員２４人平頂山虐殺事件の生存者に謝罪

5月5日，日本国会上院议员相原久美子访问了位于中国抚顺的平顶山惨案纪念馆。相原议员向惨案幸存者转交了由24名国会议员签名的道歉信，并向受害者和幸存者表示了真切的歉意。幸存者之一的王质梅女士也来到抚顺与相原议员见面，并向日本议员的支持与努力表示感谢。以下是日本国会议员的道歉信全文及简短翻译：
May 5th, Aihara Kumiko, a Democratic Party MP of the Upper House visited the PingDing Shan Massacre museum in FuShun, China. MP Aihara Kumiko brings a letter, which is signed by 24 Diet MPs, to the victims of the Massacre. In this letter, MPs sincerely apologized to the victims and the survivors of the massacre. They also promised to support the claims of the survivors and to promote a good relationship between China and Japan. Wang Zhimei, a survivor of the massacre also came to Fushun to meet MP Aihara. Ms. Wang expressed her thanks to the MPs.
The following are the full text of the letter, the name lists of the 24 MPs signed on the letter, and a brief English translation.

５月５日、民主党の参議院議員の相原久美子氏が中国・撫順の平頂山虐殺記念館を訪ねた。相原氏は、２４人の国会議員が署名した手紙を持参した。この手紙で、議員たちは虐殺事件の被害者に心からのお詫びをし、生存者の支援を約束し、友好な日中関係に向けて努力することを伝えた。生存者の王質梅さんも相原議員に会いに撫順に来た。以下はその手紙の全文と、英語による要約である。

手紙に署名した議員は以下である。

日本国衆議院議員
逢坂誠二、郡和子、近藤昭一、佐々木隆博、篠原孝、田島一成、筒 井信隆、平岡秀夫、山田正彦、横光克彦

日本国参議院議員
相原久美子、犬塚直史、岡崎トミ子、神本美恵子、今野東、谷岡郁 子、中村哲治、那谷屋正義、白真勲、藤谷光信、松浦大悟、松岡 徹、松野信夫、水岡俊一

Link: Chinese XinHua News reports Mp Aihara's visit (In Chinese) （中国語の報道）


平顶山事件的幸存者们：
我们是日本民主党的国会议员。
参与平顶山事件裁判的日本律师们，向我们介绍了平顶山事件的经过，以及幸存者们对日本政府的要求，我们觉得必须去现场看一看，并直接聆听您们的声音，向您们表达我们道歉的心情。只是现在正值日本国会的会议期间，我们不能一同前往，首先以信的形式向您们表达我们的心情，由相原久美子参议院议员代表我们将此信呈交给您们。
1932年9月在平顶山地区，当时的日本军队屠杀了大量平顶山村毫无抵抗力的无辜百姓。做为一个人，做为一名被日本国民选举出来的国会议员，我们发自内心表示歉意。至今日本政府也没有对幸存者以及幸存者遗属表示正式谢罪，造成了幸存者和幸存者遗属七十六年来没能有过昭雪的心情，对此我们深表歉意。
为了建立真正稳定的日中关系，解决战后遗留问题是不可缺少的环节。平顶山事件是十五年战争的初期阶段，日本军队大规模屠杀平民百姓的事件，我们认为解决好这一问题，与解决日中之间的其它战后遗留问题是密切相关的。
因此我们在此表明，赞同幸存者们对日本政府提出的三项要求，我们向您们保证，我们要为实现您们的要求而努力，今年我们将走访平顶山直接与您们对话。


请您们保重身体。

２００９年５月５日

日本国众议院议员 (MPs of House of Representative)
逢坂城二、郡和子、近藤昭一、佐佐木隆博、篠原孝、田岛一成、简井信隆、平冈秀夫、山田正彦、横光克彦

日本国参议院议员 (Mps of House of Council)
相原久美子、犬塚直史、冈崎吒咪子、神本美惠子、今野东、谷冈郁子、中村哲治、那谷屋正义、 白真勋、藤谷光信、松浦大悟、松冈彻、松野信夫、水冈俊



Translation:


To the survivors of the PingDing Shan Massacre:


We are the Mps From Democratic Party of Japan. The Japanese lawyers, who participated in the cases of Ping Ding Shan Massacre, introduced what happened in this accident and your inquiries to us. We feel we are obligated to go to PingDing Shan to have a visit and listen to your voice, and to delivery our apologies; However, now it's the meeting session time for the Japanese Diet, so we cannot come altogether. We would first send our apologies by this letter, which will be presented to you by our delegate----MP Aihara Kumiko.


In September 1932, around the region of PinDing Shan, Japanese Imperial Army killed a mass number of innocent civilians. As human beings and Mps elected by Japanese civilians, we feel a deep sorrow from our heart. Japanese Government hasn’t apologized to the survivors and victims. This caused a pain among the survivors and the relatives of victims. We sincerely apologize for this.

To establish a truly stable China-Japan relation, we have to solve the war-related problems. We think the Ping Ding Shan accident must be properly solved, and this is an important part of all the war-related problems.

Thus we claim here: we agree with the three inquiries you have made to the Japanese government. We promise that we will fight for this goal. We will visit PingDing Shan and talk with you.

Please take care.

*****************************************
日本語による報道は

平頂山事件　民主議員「日本政府に公式謝罪求める」
http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0507/TKY200905070073.html

Reporting in English: 英語による報道は
Japanese MPs apologize for massacre in northeast China 77 years ago http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/05/content_11319591.htm

平頂山事件についてもっと知りたい人に以下の記事を勧めます。

◆「東大・弥生講堂で『平頂山事件』シンポジウム開催」http://www.news.janjan.jp/world/0809/0809147191/1.php