'Stop military attacks, foil SDF dispatch law': 4,000 people rally in Tokyo

About 4,000 people took part in an emergency October 11 rally in Tokyo to condemn the terrorist attacks, call for anti-terrorist measures by the U.N., and to block the enactment of the bill to send Self-Defense Forces units abroad.

The rally was organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and three other democratic organizations as the government and the ruling parties are accelerating their moves toward getting the SDF dispatch bill enacted as quickly as possible.

Following an address by Zenroren President Kobayashi Yoji, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi reported on the parliamentary discussion of the bill, and introduced a JCP letter co-signed by the JCP Central Committee chair and Executive Committee chair. (see separate item)

Stressing the urgent need to carry out anti-terrorist actions centered around the U.N., Ichida criticized the Japanese government and ruling parties for arbitrarily railroading the SDF dispatch bill through the Diet by reneging on Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

Resolutions in the fight against the bill were expressed by Miwa Takashi on behalf of 160 constitutional scholars and others who jointly issued an appeal to defend the Constitution.

Some high school students reported on what they heard in the Diet session, and how they organized demonstration parades, study meetings, and actions through the use of Web sites.

After the rally, participants marched in demonstration with colorful placards toward the Diet Building. (end)