Religious people, workers, and citizens to jointly work to block wartime legislation

Fifty people from religious circles, trade unions, and citizens' organizations attended a meeting on February 28 in Tokyo to discuss wartime legislation.

The meeting was called by Takeda Takao of the Japan Buddha Sangha and Otsu Ken'ichi of the National Christian Council of Japan. Takeda proposed a united effort to block the contingency legislation bill which may be submitted to the Diet in March.

The representative of a council of trade unions concerning air and ground transport said that they want to visit the prime minister and the political parties with a statement in opposition to the legislation.

Representatives of trade unions related to construction and medical services said that workers in these fields are worried about the possibility of their being drafted in the event of war.

The representative of the network of Christians for peace said that the network will take in a wide range of religious people on two points: defend lives and defend the Constitution.

The meeting confirmed that their future work will be focused on talking to members of the parliament. (end)