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apfseditor After passing the House of Representatives, the security bills are currently being debated in the House of Councillors, and may be adopted as soon as September 2015.
Based on our experience in resolving issues faced by foreign residents from over 30 countries, the nonprofit organization ASIAN PEOPLE'S FREINDSHIP SOCIETY (APFS) and the nonprofit organization ASIAN COMMUNITY TAKASHIMADAIRA (Takashimadaira ACT) oppose the hasty adoption of security-related bills by the Diet. The results of various opinion polls show that the majority of the public is opposed to the adoption of these bills in the current Diet session. We fear that the bills will be passed without the public's understanding.
The spirit of Article 9 of the Constitution, which states, "The Japanese people sincerely desire an international peace based on justice and order, and forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes," is known and respected by many foreign residents who visit APFS and Takashimadaira ACT. This is an important spirit that Japan should be proud of to the world. It is absolutely unacceptable to change the interpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution just to pass security-related bills.
If the security bills are passed, Japan may be drawn into a war with another country, and the Self-Defense Forces may have to take up arms and fight overseas. And if fighting could break out at any time, it has the potential to create a rift in the bond that has been cultivated between Japanese and foreign residents. I am deeply concerned that even within Japan, a situation could arise in which people of a certain country or who believe in a certain religion are persecuted.
APFS and Takashimadaira ACT have been working hard to resolve issues through repeated dialogue with foreign residents. We have come to understand each other's differences and built relationships of trust. We believe that the world's problems should be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and dialogue, not through force.
APFS/Takashimadaira ACT will continue to strive to create a society where people from all countries can live together without being hostile towards each other.