Lawyers voice opposition to wartime legislation

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Motobayashi Toru, chair) has adopted a resolution against the wartime bills the government has submitted to the Diet on April 16.

The resolution that represents all Japanese lawyers cast serious doubts about the constitutionality of the bills, particularly in relation to the constitutional principles of human rights and peace.

Irei Yukichi, the federation's vice-president, and Aragaki Tsutomu, its Human Rights Protection Committee member called a news conference on April 21 in Tokyo and pointed out that wartime legislation, if enacted, will give the prime minister great control over local governments, media organizations, and the public in general, and that it will pave the way for a national mobilization system.

The resolution cited various problems the contingency bills have, including the danger of giving the government freedom to determine that Japan is under foreign military attack in violation of the constitutional principle of peace, and enabling Japan to take part in U.S. wars in conjunction with "situations in areas surrounding Japan." The resolution said the bills must be withdrawn. (end)