Writer Inoue Hisashi and 21 'cultural people' oppose moves to control speech

Well-known writer Inoue Hisashi and 21 "people of culture" on March 2 published an appeal in defense of the freedom of expression, independence of the press, and in opposition to the moves to enact laws to control speech and the press.

The appeal expressed concern about the recent moves to impose legal restrictions on the speech of citizens and on media reports.

It said: "We are deeply concerned that the fundamentals of Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees the freedom of expression be endangered, the state strengthens its control and vigilance over citizens and the press, and that Japan may turn into a suffocating society."

The initiators of the appeal include Umehara Takeshi, Japan P.E.N. Club president, Okudaira Yasuhiro, a constitutional scholar, and Katsura Keiichi, Japan Congress of Journalists representative. The appeal won the support of 257 people in just a week since the initiators sent it by post on February 22. (end)