Peace-seeking religious group adopts appeal opposing adverse revision of Constitution

The Japan Religionists Council for Peace called on religious people and circles on May 16 to develop a national common action against the Koizumi Cabinet's plans to adversely revise the Constitution as well as the prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine.

The appeal was adopted at the end of the Council's two-day national meeting of the board of directors in Tokyo.

Suzuki Tesshu, the Council's board of directors chair, said that the high support rate for the Koizumi Cabinet is a media fabrication and will not be sustainable, citing the recent change taking place in one of Japan's major Buddhist sects. The Jodo sect , which like most other sects has been in support of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, recently adopted a resolution calling for the freedom of support for political parties. Suzuki said that should be taken as an indication of their willingness to work to get the society out of its wretched state, politically, economically, and culturally.

During the discussion, it turned out that Soka Gakkai attacked the Japan Religionists Council for Peace as a front organization of the Japanese Communist Party.

The Council's regional organizations in 9 prefectures including Tokyo, the Japan Christian Peace Association, Asian Buddhists General Conference for Peace and other member organizations took part in the meeting. (end)