5,600 people attend Osaka rally against wartime laws

About 6,500 people from more than 70 organizations on May 20 met at a western Japan rally in Osaka to strengthen the struggle against the wartime legislation.

The rally was jointly organized by 14 transportation workers' unions of different national affiliations determined to foil the wartime bills in Kansai (Western Japan). It boasted the broadest participation ever in the region.

On behalf of the organizing committee, Sano Yoshikazu, the All Japan Dock Workers' Union Kansai Headquarter chair, stressed the necessity of strengthening the movement against the legislation which will force the nation into cooperation with U.S. wars.

The appeal adopted by the rally stated, "We refuse to cooperate with wars" and called for continuing the struggle in their neighborhoods and companies in order to foil the bills.

On the same day in Fukuoka Prefecture, four unions joined together to issue an appeal against the wartime legislation. (end)