[tokyoprogressive] TokyoProgressive Short Update (196): Michael Moore/Arab people say DON'T VOTE FOR KOIZUMI/LDP

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               TokyoProgressive's ChocoPaul News
                         Issue #196 July 10, 2004

                 http://tokyoprogressive.org

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Hello

Just a note from TokyoProgressive to say that we have added a few stories to our top page this week. The most important affects people in Japan, as tomorrow is ELECTION DAY. The story is that Michael Moore, director of Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, when asked by a Japanese reporter, said Japan sending its SELF DEFENSE FORCES to Iraq to support the U.S. was "Shameful and Disgraceful".

In addition, last night I watched a video by the Syrian journalist NAJIB EL-KHASH. ((SEE REFERENCE 1 BELOW) In the video, Arabs from all over the Middle East---ordinary people, academics, intellectuals--said the same thing: they were shocked and surprised that Japan was sending its SELF DEFENSE FORCES. Clearly, they could not understand the TATEMAE of Koizumi that the SDF was there to help them. They see Japan as part of the occupation.

Since tomorrow is election day, TokyoProgressive urges you NOT to vote for the conservative parties, which includes the 自民党/LDP and 公明党/KOMEITO。We also do NOT support 民主党/MINSHUTO because their position on the JIETAI/SDF is vague and some of its members are in favor of changing the Japanese constitution, even though their position on the rights of foreigner residents is very positive. We simply think the peace constititution is the most important thing we need to protect.

TokyoProgressive does not make a recommendation on which party to support (Please choose according to your own criteria). However, only two parties support protecting the Constitution. They are 共産党/KYOSANTO and 社民党/SHAMINTO. These are the only parties we think will work to protect the Japanese peace constitution.

While TV commentators say it is not enough to send money, we disagree. Sending both money and soldiers to support U.S. interests is a crime against the people of Iraq. The LDP wants to remilitarize. It has always been one of thee most dangerous forces in Japanese politics. Also, many of its policies have been racist and directed at creating fear of foreign residents. Recent moves to punish school teachers for failing to force their students to sing KIMIGAYO (national anthem) and raise the HINOMARU (national flag), to pressure schools into giving students grades in PATRIOTISM, all are worrying. They show that the 自民党 is no different from the pre-war government. In the name of making an "international contribution", they support a war which has killed over 10,000 Iraqis over the last year, and 1,000,000 Iraqis over the last 13 years of war and sanctions. And they support a lack of democracy here in Japan.

TokyoProgressive agrees with Michael Moore: support for the pro-war parties is a crime. We urge those of you who can vote to avoid these parties because of their war support, or their unclear stance on the Japanese constitution. (There is NO reason to change a constitution which has kept Japan from killing others, including its own soldiers for almost 60 years.

Remember, the U.S. WANTS Japan to change its constitution. Therefore, we urge you NOT to vote for the 自民等/LDP, 公明党/KOMEITO and even 民主党/MINSHUTO. We know each of the other parties has its pros and cons, and we think its up to you to decide.

A NOTE ABOUT US ELECTIONS
In the U.S. there is even less choice, and so some peace activists who hate the murderous Bush regime plan to vote for Kerry even though his party's position is not much different. Some will vote for Nadar, or the Socialist Party candidate, Walt Brown, or the Green Party candidate, David Cobb because many believe we should have an alternative to the traditional "war/corporate parties", the Democrats and Republicans. Others who support these parties will still vote for Kerry in so-called unsafe states, where a vote for someone other than Kerry will help re-elect Bush since many feel Bush's party is worse in terms of civil liberties. But even among people who will vote for Kerry, despite his failure to take an anti-war stance, many still plan to protest his positions at the Democratic National Convention. (SEE REFERENCE 2 BELOW)

In any case, in the Japanese elections, TokyoProgressive urges you to vote for 共産党/KYOSANTO or 社民党/SHAMINTO, or any other party which promises to protect the Japanese peace constitution. If not, we may lose the precious peace constitution, and we may one day find ourselves in a situation like pre-war Japan where people must obey the state. Already we can see that tendency in the government/media reaction to the Japanese hostages. Just remember: Koizumi wants to change the Japanese constitution. Bush wants Koizumi to do this too. A vote for the LDP, KOMEITO and MINSHUTO is, in a way, a vote for George Bush. And it will do nothing to stop the killing of innocent people.


REFERENCE 1 (FILM):
中東レポート＝アラブの人々から見た自衛隊イラク派兵』が完成！
佐藤真監督による緊急制作ビデオが完成しました。シリア、レバノン、ヨルダン、エジプトの中東４ヵ国を回って取材してきたインタビューを40分のビデオ にまとめました。近々試写会を開きます。ご期待ください。
http://www.cine.co.jp/

REFERENCE 2
Help UFPJ Publish an Anti-War Ad During the Democratic National Convention
Help us raise $12,000 to send an anti-war message to John Kerry during the Democratic National Convention!
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2477

(TokyoProgressive is a sponsor of this ad)


NEW STORIES THIS WEEK
--Micahel Moore: Japan's Support of U.S. "Shameful and Disgraceful"

--Japanese Teacher's Human Rights Denied by Tokyo High Court

--北朝鮮難民と支援活動家の人権を守れ (READER STORY)
Appeal on behalf of man who aided North Korean Refugees

--Mickey Z Offers a Different Comparison of 9-11 and Pearl Harbor


These and last week's stories are on the JULY page (new stories added every day)
http://tokyoprogressive.org

AFTER AUGUST IT WILL BE ARCHIVED AT
 http://tokyoprogressive.org/news/topblog.php?id=D20040628

お願い/PLEASE GIVE US SOME ADVICE
Some of my students say they are afraid to take political action because they are uncomfortable with existing groups on campus. Perhaps you have some suggestions or would like to talk about your own experience.

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