English 
Japanese 
Spanish 
French 
Bengali 
Myanmar 
Nepali 
Tagalog 
Urdu 
Thai 
Persian 
ZWC_yamada The security-related bills have passed the House of Representatives and are currently being debated in the House of Councillors. There is a possibility they could be adopted by September 2015.
The specified non-profit organizations ASIAN PEOPLE'S FREINDSHIP SOCIETY (APFS) and ASIAN COMMUNITY TAKASHIMADAIRA (Takashimadaira ACT) oppose the hasty adoption of the security-related bills by the Diet, based on their experience in resolving issues faced by foreign residents from more than 30 countries. Various public opinion polls show that a majority of the public opposes the bills being adopted in the current Diet session. We are concerned that the bills will be passed without the understanding of the public.
The spirit of Article 9 of the Constitution, which states, "The Japanese people 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. It is an important spirit that Japan should be proud of. It is absolutely unacceptable to change the interpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution solely for the purpose of adopting the security-related bills.
If the security-related bills are adopted, Japan may become embroiled in wars in other countries, and the Self-Defense Forces may have to take up arms and fight overseas. Furthermore, a situation where fighting could break out at any moment has the potential to create a rift in the bonds that Japanese and foreign residents have cultivated over the years. Within Japan, I am deeply concerned that a situation may arise in which people who believe in certain countries or religions may be persecuted.
APFS and Takashimadaira ACT have strived to resolve issues through repeated dialogue with foreign residents. We have built a relationship of mutual understanding and trust. We believe that global problems should be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and dialogue, not through military force.
APFS and Takashimadaira ACT will continue to strive for a society where people from all countries can live together without hostility towards anyone from any other country.