In Japan, on 19 September 2015, the Diet passed the security laws which may allow our country to participate in a war. Against these, many people showed their serious concerns to the government and delivered strong protest by participating in rallies around the Diet building.
Our country has maintained peace and contributed to world peace over these 70 years. In our Japanese Constitutions, we are proud of Article 9, which declares that: “Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of solving international disputes.” Many Japanese people cherish the spirit of peace pronounced in this article, and are protesting against the government because the laws are opposed to the Constitutions.
The Catholic Church in Japan has expressed concern and protest, demanding peace without force. Many RSCJ’s in Japan Province likewise expressed their concern and protest against the law. We demand peace without force. Celebrating the 70 years of peace after the War, we would like to show our wish to work and pray for peace together with RSCJs in the world.
Eriko Oyama rscj