Article 9 associations reach 6,000 across the nation

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Article 9 associations reach 6,000 across the nation

The number of the "Article 9 Associations" formed in local communities, workplaces, and various fields across the country in defense of war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution reached 6,020, up 2,000 in the past year. Komori Yoichi, the Association secretary general and a Tokyo University professor, announced this at a news conference in the Diet on February 1.

Referring to the characteristics of the associations, he pointed out that they have been formed at the grass-roots level of the general public such as in elementary school districts, that the number of workplace associations has increased, and that region-based sub-associations have been formed within associations such as the Mass Media Article 9 Association.

In Kyoto Prefecture, the associations have been established in 32 percent of elementary school districts. In Osaka Prefecture, the associations have been formed at 35 percent of the public high schools.

The Article 9 Association will hold "Constitution seminars" twice in March in Shizuoka and Kyoto prefectures and the second National Exchange Meeting on November 24 in Tokyo.

Komori said that through these meetings the association will carefully discuss theoretical issues concerning Article 9 in order to develop their actions in defense of the article.
- Akahata, February 2, 2007