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Fr. Mitsunobu Ichiro, SJ
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When, last spring, there was a danger that the Diet would revise the Constitution
of Japan and the Fundamental Education Law, the Jesuit Social apostolate
committee, thinking that something had to be done formed a task force and
published a Booklet on those issues, under the title, "Reflections
on the Constitution and the Fundamental Education Law from the stand of
Gospel Values." A change on the legislation of principles regarding
Basic Education Law aims at revising the Constitution, an important issue
covering the philosophical basis of Japanese society. I am a person living
in an abstract world of theological research and education, but I stepped
forward into society convinced that at this point I had to hold out. We
thought that, if about 400 people could buy the Booklet we had published
that would be a real success, but the reactions exceeded our expectations
and the final result was 2,800 copies sold out. Of course, this is a worthless
result considering the country's population, nevertheless I experienced
that the issues arouse the public attention, not only of the big Catholic
minority but also of ordinary citizens.
Later on, I also took part in making a public statement of concern delivered
by the social committee of the Bishop's Conference and feeling the responsibility
of my own contributions I participated, last December, in the demonstrations
in front of the National Diet when the vote took place. It was practically
my first experience to take part in a demonstration and political movement,
but I felt from the bottom of my heart that this time I could not allow
things go on like that, I could not compromise. I was very much encouraged
by many other people like myself that had decided to take action and were
also there demonstrating in front of the Diet.
A civil organization established by some university professors and public
figures, called, "National Network against the Retrogressive Revision
of the Fundamental Law of Education" arose spontaneously as a movement
and since it organized a 'Human Chain' type of public gathering I also
participated. In fact, I am a 'non-political person' but this time something
had to be done. I imagine other participants did easily the same. Most
probably, from now on, the participation in this Network will increase
the awareness and solidarity of many citizens and this way the political
involvement of people will become stronger. The experience of being close
to thousands of people acting together through the network was especially
good.
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I want to introduce here a written contribution that pulled my sympathy,
to the web-blog of the National Network I have just mentioned above.
… I arrived today to the National Diet a little after 5:00pm. A man who
is usually at the entrance of the Metro distributing newspapers was announcing
in a loud voice: 'The vote in the Diet will take place between 6:00 and
7:00pm.' As soon as I went into the street of the House of Councilors I
felt a tension I had never experienced before. About one thousand people
filling the sidewalks were incessantly shouting sprechchors like 'we oppose
the revision of the laws, we oppose and enforced vote' as if they were
throwing stones to the Diet. People were angry at the dirty methods used
at town meetings that even high school students can understand to manipulate
public opinion, at enforced votes cast in committees in the absence of
the Prime Minister. Again today when the opposition parties presented a
non confidence motion, the Liberal Democrats did not only shout strong
boos, but also laugh mockingly at them. The musician Zaki came everyday
and sung there shouting with strong voice against the retrogressive revision
of the Fundamental Law of Education: 'Listen. We haven't lost the battle!
Public opinion is clearly at our side! We are winning!' Representatives
of the Network, like professors Miyake Akiko (Chiba University) and Ouchi
Kazuhiro (Matsuyama University) spoke openly, 'Today is the first step
of a new fight! We have a common understanding of how important our movement
is to defend the fundamental rights of our children! All people gathered
here will continue the struggle in mutual solidarity!'
When we marched towards the residence of the Prime Minister the Police
shouted in a usual manner, 'put down the flags.' Usually participants in
demonstrations remain quiet, but that day people shouted, 'Did we bring
them to have them down? Noisy fellow shut up! The police quieted down in
front of our strong reactions. I usually act gently but I couldn't avoid
confronting the police, 'Bring down Abe, first.' A lady like myself, nearby,
went along with me repeating, 'That's true. If they bring down Abe we will
also, of course, put down our flags.'
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I have been often to the Diet and spent money in this movement. Everything
is a new experience to me and this time also I realized that unless I went
to the Diet I could not have learned as much as I did. I will not stop,
from now on, going to the Diet. Since the newspapers and mass media think
nothing of people in general, I will go out and gather information by myself,
without relying on them. By using the Internet I will become a provider
of information. The most precious treasure I got going to the Diet was
to realize that there are wonderful persons living honestly while they
fight injustices."
Many have already noticed the dullness of all mass media in reacting to
the revision of legislation. In fact, most of the information TV stations
and newspapers refused to publish, like the irresistible voice and photos
of people that gathered in front of the Diet can be viewed at the web site
of the Network Video Press TV [http://vpress.la.coocan.jp/vptv.html]. The
parody song "UE O MUITE ARUKO" (Let's walk looking upward) expressed
clearly, I thought, the feelings of those marching in front of the Diet
the day the Diet passed the Bill on the retrogressive revision of legislation.
"
… Let's walk with our heads upward / Does it matter whether we cry or not? We walk shedding tears/ the night we were not alone..."
Since I participated not as a political activist but as a religious pilgrim
I was wearing a white vestment like a pilgrim that read in the back, "Sophia
University, Catholic Network opposing the retrogressive revision of the
Fundamental Law of Education." It looked like one of those supporters
of a soccer team marching and wearing the shirt of their favorite team.
Although it was written network, in fact there were only 2, 3 Sisters present.
I could see a few more Protestants marching and had the impression that
Catholics were almost absent. After the forced vote through the Diet I
realized that, as the political system stands now, no matter how morally
correct your opinion is, if it is not backed by elected politicians, it
is totally powerless. On the other hand, numbers result in power that holds
almighty means (technocrats, police, control of mass media, etc.) to implement
one's will. It appeared clearly that, in front of such power, common people
are totally powerless and made scattered in all directions. That made me
to reflect that, in order to check on the authorities, regarding these
issues and to bring together the irresistible cries of citizens there was
a need of forming some flexible group and establish a network.
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Development work in war-torn Cambodia has been Thus, after a dark day of
feeling the impact of defeat I also rose up, not exactly as Jesus resurrected,
and made a decision. I decided to answer the voice of honest citizens,
unable to raise their voices. Concretely,
[1] To continue the re-edition of the Booklet on the retrogressive revision
of the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education
[2] To concentrate on information exchanges and communication by building
a web site and blog, due to the actual importance of networking,
[3] To form study groups taken up by Jesuit Services, a Jesuit-sponsored
NGO under the able leadership of Sister Denise Coughlan, which provides
direct assistance to the victims of anti-personnel landmines.
Most probably, the ultimate goal of the main supporters of Abe’s administration,
within the frame of globalization and the free market system, is to let
Japan continue riding the champion horses at unison with the USA. Following
the example of a horse race, the introduction of nationalism is an unnatural
way of stepping on the brakes while accelerating. In other words, imposing
from above neo-liberalism, giving orders that everybody (Army included)
should follow, forcefully grouping everybody so that unskillful labor can
be assured and thus tracing the population. In conclusion, the clear goal
of those involved in a power and money game with the USA is to kill Article
9 of the Japanese Constitution. They want to increase their profits all
over the world backed by military presence. If they move ahead with diplomatic
and financial policies swinging around financial and military power, the
poor and the powerless will certainly be hit. And besides that, in case
they act unreasonably, tensions and unrest, violent wars are going to spread.
Is not this the actual world where we live?
As Ignatius remarks in the Spiritual Exercises, the strategy of the devil
is simple: riches (or "this is mine") to honor and to pride,
to control others for one's aims. By these steps, the evil one leads us
skillfully to all other vices. Actually, those in power make efforts to
defend themselves by strengthening the present international systems and
prepare schemes by which they can dominate over others. Such persons manifest
childish and selfish expressions like "beautiful country," but
such naivety is just a political cold trick unable to motivate others to
act. On top of it, this destroys human social values.
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In the case of Christ, the Jewish religious power in combination with politics
and people's solidarity became one devil's power that destroyed him. Leaders,
oppressors and people, authority and power, short-lived curiosity had reached
an absolute level, but this was not really what mattered, on the contrary,
a Jesus that worshipped God, the compassionate Father, was so provocative
that had to be handled to death.
When I observe the image of Abe, closing his ears to the voices of reason
and common sense and, like a loyal slave, pushing through the revision
of the Constitution and forcing the vote on the Fundamental Law of Education,
as well as the inactivity of Japanese society that allows this situation,
I cannot but remember the historical background when the Pacific War begun
as a result of the prewar totalitarian nationalism and the souls of millions
of people that were killed under tremendous suffering. Confronted with
the reality of those who died, not because of a compassionate God, but
due to their distorted dreams and values as absolute, we Christians, following
the example of Christ should clearly raise our voices shouting, "Stop
all that non-sense."
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Since I started these activities I have become fully strengthened and consoled.
This is because, being aware of the lies surrounding us, it is possible
to establish an alive dialogue with many who are conscious that something
must be done. And, precisely, when that dialogue resounds prayers for Christian
unity in Christ solidify. Is not the real "Church" a human dialogue
of living people that count for nothing at the basis of the world? From
the eyes of those who are always in the limelight, such persons are hidden
in small places and, some have maybe already been killed but they were
people living with a real faith. The really suffering, the honest poor
people lived quietly without personal contacts with others and the enlightened
places they left behind could be called "churches."
Almost nobody criticized our Booklet. A person that does not really appreciate
the most important value, the compassion of God, knows well his/her own
lies and, as a result, feels powerless in front of the truth. I realized
that, in fact, when one feels afraid to confront his own image with the
true facts, runs after violent terrorism always hiding in the shadow. The
bible teaches us to say clearly "Yes" to the truth and "No"
to absurd things. When one has to get angry if, out of fear and because
of pressure, resigns oneself to demands, such an attitude is totally unrelated
to the freedom that comes from following the advice of Christ, "Do
not be afraid, I am with you." I experienced the need to build a Japanese
society that is convinced that, there is not such a thing like inside oppression
being the cause of a bullying predisposition so dominant in Japan now.
In order to implement my decision to follow the issues mentioned above
I started a Blog under the name "kenkyokatoren" (Catholic Network
to defend the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education) (http://kenkyokatoren.seesaa.net/). From now on, the Diet will start passing new legislation and the Education
Administration will send notifications that do not have anything to do
with the spirit of the Constitution. I would like to gather prayers so
that many good-will people act to force back such moves.
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