Category: Social-Japan-Politics

[Chunichi Shimbun] There Has Been No Such Terrifying Election

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Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita posted on his blog – December 9, 2012 –


English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu – December 9, 2012 –
Source: Chunichi Shimbun ( via Ashura Bulletin Board December 8, 2012 )

There Has Been No Such Terrifying Election 　


There is something I am worried about.  It is the results of a poll opinion conducted by our newspaper the other day, ahead of the House of Representatives election.  Let’s take for example the results on the LDP which reportedly stays ahead in the race.

Slightly 30 percent of the respondents who said they would vote for LDP in the proportional-representation constituency answered in the negative a question on revision of “the Article 9 of the Constitution” and almost half of the respondents call for the oncoming of “abolition of nuclear power generation.”

Needless to say, the LDP has declared for revision of Article 9.  The party’s stance is to maintain the use of nuclear power.

Of course, this is also the case with other parties.  The pros and cons of respondents contradict the parties they are determined to vote for.

There are two conceivable reasons for such “contradiction.”  One is the possibility that a party of preference has a campaign promise other than those on Article 9 and nuclear power generation, which is a definitive factor for the party to be chosen.  And the other is the attitude of respondents, who decide to choose a party “without any reason,” not trying to understand the party’s argument well.  The former is acceptable, but the other is too dangerous.

Japan learned the lesson at great cost in the last World War that of course, we should not have a war again and also keep away from any war as much as possible.  Japan after the war was built based on this lesson.  It is an incredibly important decision to change the Article 9, which is a foundation of the country.

Furthermore, the nuclear accident has deprived an enormous number of people of their home towns and has made part of our precious homeland practically uninhabitable due to radiation contamination.  The accident bitterly remind us of a Persian proverb: “Don’t open the door which cannot be closed later.”

The first House of Representatives election campaign after the great earthquake has started.  Therefore, the question to be asked in the election is whether we are the people who can learn from our failure and tragedy or not.

“Without any reason” is a big no-no.  Voting results will decide the future of this country and what the country should be for children to survive.

(Yoshiyuki Shimada, City News Editor, Chunichi Shimbun)


[Prof. Hiroaki Koide] Nuclear Power Plants and Politics/Politicians

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After reading an article on interview with Prof. Hiroaki Koide, I was surprised to learn that he shares the same opinion that much.
I am different from him only in that he says “We should eat contaminated good in order to save farmers.”  It’s my understanding that Prof. Koide’s mercifulness had him make a wrong judgment.

Masatoshi Takeshita
December 2, 2012

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English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Soon the northern wind will blow – December 1, 2012 –
Prof. Koide November 29 “Nuclear Power Plants and Politics/Politicians”





Iwakami:  I do understand well that you don’t want to commit yourself to politics.  Apart from other policies, I’d like to ask you what you think about nuclear power plant policy.

Koide:  Well, I don’t like politics.  It is because people like Mr. Hashimoto are politicians.

Iwakami:  Oh!

Koide:  In a word, he has no basic policy at all.
At one time, he said, “I’m against nuclear power plants.”  However, he easily ate his words.  He loves someone strong.  He wants himself to be strong and loves someone strong.
He curries favor with Mr. Ishihara who seems to be stronger and cozies up to him, abandoning his commitment to denuclearization.  He seems to be that kind of person.  I feel that as long as such person engages in politics, I have no hope for it.  Therefore, I want to keep my distance from politicians as much as possible.

Koide:  Although it is not a very nice way to put it, he always says something to get to be popular among the public.  If he considers it ineffective, he throws it away.  He thinks it realistic.

Iwakami:  I see.  When he mentioned “to abandon nuclear power generation,” he sensed how the public felt to win popularity.

Koide:  He lacked coherence at the time of restarting the Ohi nuclear power plant, too.
Yielding to the threat of “possible blackout,” he made a slip of the tongue and said, “It is over” and “I’m defeated.”  We had no blackout.  I thought that he should fight bravely.  Well, it shows that he is such type of person by his nature.

Iwakami:  As for Mr. Shintato Ishihara, he mentions not only the promotion of nuclear power generation but the discussion about the possession of nuclear weapons.
The Senkaku territory issue came up.  It was Mr. Shintaro Ishihara that ignited the dispute.  His remarks made the relations with China soured and changed the domestic atmosphere.

In this situation, he quit the Tokyo governorship and tried to embark on national politics.  What is your evaluation of his political stance?

Koide:  Mr. Ishihara loves someone strong much better than Mr. Hashimoto does.  I think that he probably wants to control this country and also the world with power.
I think that his way of thinking is basically wrong, and I have wanted people like him not to engage in politics and my opinion is the same as before.

Iwakami:  Do you think that possession of nuclear weapons is realistically possible?

Koide:  Yes, of course.  “Use of nuclear power plants for power generation, not for nuclear weapons” was the first official reason, but to begin with, a prime reason for Japan to get involved in nuclear power was for nuclear weapons.


Koide:  Some two years ago, NHK broadcasted a program “Japan that needs nuclear weapons.”
It was a program which describes what intention Japan had in the 1960s when the country rushed headlong into nuclear power; the intention was clarified by collection of testimony of the diplomats at the time, diplomatic documents and testimony of diplomats of a foreign country, Germany.

“Japan should always be prepared to have nuclear weapons” was Japan’s intention.

Then document says that it should be made known to the public.

I think it indicates that finally Japan has started teaching the public the fact that “Japan should also have nuclear weapons.”

Iwakami:  The recent move toward this….

Koide:  Considering the fact that NHK produced such program…

Iwakami:  The LDP also proposed to revise the Constitution and make the SDF the national armed forces.  These will lead to approving the use of Japan’s right of collective self-defense, under which Japan can be mobilized as U.S. subcontractor and also to putting an emphasis on “nuclear weapons.”
What do you think of LDP’s stance?

Koide:  They have had a consistent stance.

Koide:  The LDP wants to immediately revise the Constitution.  Especially Mr. Abe was at the head of advocates of constitutional amendment.  If LDP should take on the next administration, Japan will direct its course all the more toward revising the Constitution, never abandoning nuclear power and reviving it.

Iwakami:  For example, the Senkaku Islands issue, the tense relations between Japan and China or U.S. commitment to it.  What do you think?

Koide:  All we have to do is to get back to the spirit of a constitution.  Take for example the Constitution of Japan.  As you know well, the Article 9 says that “The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.”
The article prescribes clearly: In order to accomplish it, land, sea and air forces will never be maintained.   As Japan declares “it will ban the use of force as means of settling international conflicts,” Japan only has to observe the constitution.

First of all, we have to stop being subject state to any countries.

Iwakami:  It lasted only for a few days, but there was a move where each force got together to form a third force of center-liberals.

A party was formed with Shiga Governor Kada as leader and Mr. Tetsuya Iida as acting leader.  The People’s Life First and the Anti-Nuclear Power formed by Mr. Kamei and Mr. Yamada, which has not yet a political party, have joined the party.

What do you think of this move?
Or what do you think about Ms. Kada as leader?

Koide:  In the two-party system, we had to choose either DPJ or LDP.  However, either party is not good.

I think that we should immediately abandon nuclear power.  Either party is not good.  The party formed by Mr. Hashimoto and Mr. Ishihara is not good, either.

Then I had wished that some organization, where those who have tried to stop nuclear power plant operation are accepted, could be created.  Therefore, I feel grateful for Ms. Kada who has created such organization.

To stop nuclear power plant operation is not only the problem of nuclear reactors but relates to “what type of society to build.”  I’d like to thank her for making it a top priority to “stop nuclear power plant operation.”  I hope Ms. Kada and others will participate actively in politics.

Iwakami:  Mr. Ozawa immediately disbanded his own party “People’s Life First” and made an about-turn to join the Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party) which tried to form alliances with this goal of getting Japan out of nuclear power.

What do you think of Mr. Ozawa as politician?

Koide:  I originally dislike the strong.  So,…

Koide:  I think that a society seeking the strong is rotten in the first place.  Like Mr. Hashimoto and Mr. Ishihara who want to get strong and yearn for the strong, many people seem to “expect some strong leaders to appear.”  I think this is wrong.  Rather, it is important for each of us to live with clear self-awareness as sovereign member of society.  I think that “we should not seek strong leaders.”
In that sense, Mr. Ozawa is one of strong leaders.

As long as I hear his recent comments, I think he is very respectable.
He is respectable because he has got to definitely give his opinion and claim to “opposition to nuclear power.”
With regard to the current move, he swiftly disbanded his party and decided to merge into Mirai no To, which tries to mobilize people with policy centering on denuclearization.  He is indeed a competent politician.

However, as I say many times, I have no trust in politics.  As he has engaged in politics for many years, Mr. Ozawa might change his attitude in political world in future.  Therefore, I am not completely free of uncertainty about him.


[Mr. Ryusaku Tanaka] Women’s Katte-ren (Volunteer Support Group) Aims at Advancement of Women by ‘Tokyo Governor Utsunomiya”

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The upcoming election will be the election where we face a question of whether we have insight into human nature of candidates.

Masatoshi Takeshita
November 29, 2012

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Ryusaku Tanaka Journal – November 28, 2012 –


Women’s Katte-ren (Volunteer Support Group) Aims at Advancement of Women by ‘Tokyo Governor Utsunomiya”


“Women’s Katte-ren” is all out to open up the women’s 
vote as well as the men’s one.
                = At Utsunomiya’s election campaign office, 
Yotsuya, Tokyo on 28th  Photo by Tanaka =


Women who have been suffered a lot by the Ishihara metropolitan government over 13 years have kicked off revenge.  They have organized a “Women’s Katte-ren” (volunteer support group) which supports Mr. Kenji Utsunomiya, a candidate for Tokyo gubernatorial election to be announced tomorrow on 29th.

Now the women’s poverty problem has being a social problem: “half of women workers are non-regular employees” and “one out of three single women is in poverty.”

It is said that too much unfair customary practice of personnel affairs has been repeated by the metropolitan government since the reign of Governor Ishihara (from 1999).  “Among successive vice-governors, there is only one woman – just one time in the Minobe metropolitan government about 40 years ago.  Although there are 52 posts as bureau chiefs, only one woman takes the post of bureau chief.  There are many women who cannot take administrative positions.”  Ms. Masayo Niwa, a member of the Women’s Katte-ren, who has worked as metropolitan official for more than 10 years, told that every support measures for women has been scaled down since the start of the Ishihara metropolitan government.

“The women’s policy developed by the Minobe metropolitan government was a top-level policy across the country.  Regrettably, there is no trace of it at all.

In 1991 a budget of JPY10 billion was allocated as fund for promotion of gender equality.  Furthermore, the metropolitan government adopted an epoch-making policy – ‘to support women who have to burden the cost of filing litigations against sexual harassment or violence against women.’”

“However, with the start of the Ishihara metropolitan government, litigation support service available for women vanished into air.  The above-mentioned budget of JPY10 billion was absorbed in the general account.  Most precious materials on women’s issues were kept under lock and key in the basement.  He (Ishihara, former Tokyo Governor) couldn’t stand women looking big,” Ms. Niwa said in vexation.


Mr. Kenji Utsunomiya.  “Not a few women who graduated from a 
school for the disabled are reduced to poverty.” 
He listened attentively to on-the-spot plead for help, taking notes.
                = At Tokyo Women’s Plaza on 24th  Photo by Suwa =

Mr. Utsunomiya rushed to Tokyo Women’s Plaza after finishing his address at another Katte-ren.  He started off his speech by pointing out the gender disparity.

“The Japan Federation of Bar Associations has two female vice presidents.  I think that half of the four vice- governors should also be women.  The Tokyo metropolitan government should listen to the citizens of Tokyo.  As half of the citizens are women, the metropolitan government should be the autonomous body reflecting women’s voices.”

“Improvement of the welfare of residents is stipulated in Article 2 of Local Autonomy Act.  It is necessary to have every resident feel happy to live in this town.  The effort of Tokyo governor alone is insufficient.  All residents should also get actively involved.  I think that this will be such a gubernatorial election.”

Lawyer Utsunomiya has devoted his life to saving the weak such as heavily-indebted people.  His speech is very convincing.

The birth of Tokyo Governor Utsunomiya will make it possible for women who have not sufficiently been utilized in the labor market to have a bright future before.

[Tokyo Shimbun] Mr. Shizuka Kamei to Form New Party! Anti-TPP/Freeze of Consumption Tax Hike/Denuclearization as Main Policies Adopted

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Public opinion is against nuclear power generation, consumption tax hike and TPP.
Mr. Shizuka Kamei is a real politician.  Poppo,* what are you going to do with nuclear power plants?  Money would be worthless unless you use it properly.

Masatoshi Takeshita

*Poppo – The name of Mr. Hatoyama, former prime minister, consists of two Chinese characters – hato (dove) and yama (mountain).  “Poppo” is a childish way of expressing “dove.”


English translation of a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu – November 19, 2012 –


Mr. Shizuka Kamei to Form New Party (abbreviation “Anti-TPP”) with Former Agriculture Minister Yamada – Freeze of Consumption Tax Hike and Denuclearization as Major Policies Adopted

from Tokyo Shimbun (TOKYO WEB)

Shizuka Kamei, former House of Representatives member

Shizuka Kamei, former House of Representatives member (76) has decided to form a new party for the upcoming House of Representatives election.  Agriculture Minister Masahiko Yamada, a DPJ member, will submit written notice of intent to quit the party and join a new party.  Mr. Kamei and others will officially announce it at a press conference in Tokyo on the same evening.  The party platform is opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), abbreviated “Anti-TPP.”  Its major policies include freeze of consumption tax hike and denuclearization.

According to informed sources, it is scheduled that Mr. Yamada will take up a post as representative and Mr. Kamei as secretary-general.  The party will keep a distance from Japan Restration Party and Your Party, which advocate TPP negotiations.

In an interview with Kyodo, Mr. Kamei has demonstrated his recognition that he has acquired five Diet members, which is the “requirement for forming a political party,” in order to fight in the election campaign under the same conditions as existing political parties.

(Kyodo)


[Kazuhide Uekusa] “Election for Policy Selection” – The Public Makes Decision on Nuclear Power Plants, Consumption Tax and TPP

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Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita posted on his blog – November 18, 2012 –

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: “Unknown Truth” by Kazuhide Uekusa – November 18, 2012

“Election for Policy Selection” - The Public Makes Decision on Nuclear Power Plants, Consumption Tax and TPP


The 46th Lower House general election is to be held on December 16.  Election campaign with only one-month left before decisive vote has been launched.

The number of seats held by each parliamentary group at the time of the dissolution of the House of Representatives is as follows:


Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ): 233
Liberal Democratic Party: (LDP): 118
Kokumin no Seikatsu ga Daiichi (People’s’ Life First):  45
New Komeito: 21
Japanese Communist Party (JCP): 9
Minna no To (Your Party): 7
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party): 6
Social Democratic Party (SDP): 5
Genzei Nippon (Tax Cut Japan): 5
People’s New Party: 3
New Party Daichi-True Democrats: 3
Midori no Kaze (Green Breeze Party): 2
Taiyo no To (Sunrise Party): 2
New Party Nippon: 1
Independent: 19
Vacancy: 1


Politics for the people with sovereign power, which was realized through the general election in 2009, has been destroyed and got back to politics for vested interests.  In the upcoming election, the point of issue is whether it is likely that such politics will be changed into the politics for the people again.

Therefore, the election campaign will be the race between vested interests and the people with sovereign power.

Please look at the number of parliamentary seats at the time of the dissolution again.

The People’s Life First, SDP, New Party Daichi and Green Breeze Party hold 55 seats in total. On the other hand, only 10 seats are held by Your Party, Japan Restoration Party and Sunrise Party combined.
The mass media try to disproportionately blow up the minimal group with only 10 seats.

Merger between Japan Restoration Party and Sunrise Party is the very picture of “illicit union.”

This indicates that vested interests are simply trying to get anti-DPJ/LDP votes.

You can tell this by looking at each policy of the Japan Restoration Party, Your Party and Sunrise Party, which is completely the same as that of the vested interests.

The point of issue in policy is definitely “Nuclear power plants/Consumption tax/TPP.”

The people with sovereign power should vote for such political parties that clearly set a goal of “Denuclearization/Anti-consumption tax/Anti-TPP” and win the majority of parliamentary seats held by the parties.

[Nikkan Gendai] Old Ally Shizuka Kamei Gets Furious: “Shintaro Ishihara Is Wrong”

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I feel good to learn that Mr. Kamei has broken away from Shintaro Ishihara.  The mass media in Japan have played up only completely crazy men such as Ishihara and Hashimoto and I wonder if they have a sense of shame.  Ishihara should feel ashamed of himself if he is a normal person.  Sadly, it is only abnormal and irresponsible people like Ishihara that are successful in life.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of a Japanese article: “Hibi Tantan” Document Blog (Source: Nikkan Gendai) – October 27, 2012 –

Old Ally Shizuka Kamei Gets Furious: “Shintaro Ishihara Is Wrong”

Organization of a new party just for parental egoism

Tokyo governor Ishihara has suddenly abandoned his job even during his term of office.  In a regular interview on 26th, he was too self-centered to care about criticism against him.  He spent much of time talking about topics related to a new party and unilaterally stopped interview in twenty minutes, saying “I have an appointment.”  He went to a screening of a movie.  Although still incumbent governor of Tokyo, he has no sense of responsibility.  He is really an irresponsible old man.

What fiddle-faddle it is that such a man is going to form a new party!  He was given the brushoff even by Shizuka Kamei, former representative of the People’s New Party, who must have been his “old ally.”

“Probably, deep in his heart, Mr. Ishihara actually has no confidence.  He visited Kamei to say “Help me.”  But Kamei flatly refused his request.”  (Politically informed source)

On the night of the day when he declared to form a new party, Ishihara visited Kamei.  Reportedly, Kamei talked to him in this way.

“When I made a proposal to you that we work together for the good of the people and for the good of the nation, you turned it down.  How dare you say that!  What you are going to do is not for the good of the people.  It’s self-interest.  Politicians sacrifice themselves for the people.  You are wrong.  I won’t join you.”

What Kamei says is completely right.  At first rate, Kamei and Hiranuma, representative of the Sunrise Party of Japan suggested an idea of “Ishihara New Party” and called on Ishihara to join them.  However, Ishihara showed them an indecisive attitude and expressed “complete revocation” in April this year.
“The root cause is his ambition to make his eldest son Nobuteru a prime minister.  On the other hand, a plan to launch a new party includes his intention to get his third son Hirotaka elected.  Although he proudly says that he does for the good of Japan, he has no political philosophy.  He plays cards right with parental egotism alone.  (Above-mentioned source)

Being like that, he was given up on by Kamei.  Mr. Tetsuo Suzuki, a political journalist, says:

“Mr. Kamei has kept an idea of forming a “national salvation Cabinet” in his mind since the last days of the Kan administration.  The idea led to formation of “Ishihara new party.”  Mr. Kamei envisions political realignment and has a strong belief that he should not have the LDP be back in power.  He thinks that to this end he should reconcile differences and form a coalition.  This idea is incompatible with the “conservatism purifying policy” Mr. Ishihara and Mr. Hiranuma aim at.  His policy is rather similar to “the Olive Tree” (political coalition) Mr. Ozawa aims at.  Mr. Kamei seems to think that he will bring on the front lines of election private citizens, under whom politicians get together to play a role as cornerstone of the third influential party.

Kamei was right about having broken away from selfish Ishihara. 

[Shinshu-no-izumi] Death of Minister Tadahiro Matsushita and “Cabinet Approval for Human-Rights Protection Bill”: No Interrelation Exists?


 I think what is written in this article is right.
Masatoshi Takeshita

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English translation of an excerpt of a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu – September 20, 2012 –
  
IS Cabinet Approval “The Mouse Goes Abroad When The Cat Is Not Lord”!?  Noda Traitor Party

Subtitle: Death of Minister Tadahiro Matsushita and “Cabinet Approval for Human Hunting Human-Rights Protection Bill”:  No Interrelation Exists?

Yesterday on September 19, when I watched the news that the DPJ “approved in the Diet the bill to protect human-rights,” something immediately hit me, the writer of Shinshu-no-izumi, in the frontal lobe.  It reminded me of the suspicious death of Tadahiro Matsushita, minister in charge of financial services and postal privatization.  It is reported that Minister Matsushita killed himself by hanging (in general, to commit suicide by winding a rope or string around the neck) but it is a suspicious death.

It was suspicious whether he truly killed himself by hanging because in the beginning, there were conflicting reports about the cause of his death.  Although his secretary and security staff of the Metropolitan Police Department rang a doorbell or called on his cellular phone, they got no reply.  Then Mrs. Matsushita, who happened to be in Tokyo, unlocked the door and enter the room with them and found out the minister.  Some reports say that Mrs. Matsushita reported to call the police and said “My husband has fallen down.”

If they immediately had took off a rope out of his neck and had him lie down, they would have briefed the situation and she would never have said “he has fallen down.”  If there should exist a conspiracy to murder the minister, possible reasons which I hear a whispering about on the Internet are as follows:

*Opposed to postal privatization
*Opposed to the human-rights protection bill
*Opposed to foreigners’ political rights
*Prudent to suspend expanded measures for Japan-Korean currency-swap arrangement (He had a prudent attitude in view of his position but his real intention was unknown.)
*Expressed to tighten crackdown on insider trading
*Organized a club of young lawmakers to study the future of Japan and history education (as acting secretary-general)
*Prudent to revise the Nationality Act
*Organize a club of young lawmakers who support visit to Yasukuni Shrine for wish for peace and for true national interests
*Responded “Objection” to the question on foreigners’ political rights made by Asahi Shimbun

Looking at the above, all could be possible factors which make him targeted at.  However, the impending factor which served to take his life is something related to the “human-rights protection bill” alone in view of the timing, which I have pointed out in the previous blog.  Minister Tadahiro Mtsushita opposed to the bill.  Considering the most important attribute of approval by diet, the government’s decision-making body, it means “agreement of the whole government to be decided as agreed by all ministers.”  In a word, the bill will not be passed in the Diet if even only one minister opposes to it.

What did the Noda administration do yesterday on September 19?  The administration forced the bill to be passed in the Diet with knowledge of the fact that two ministers opposing to the bill were absent.  This is the same dirty tricks as it used in case of forcible passage of the bill to raise consumption tax, which was opposed by more than 60 percent of the people.  They ignored democratic procedures.  If the people properly know the reality of the bill, instead of splitting public opinion in two, the majority will oppose to it.  Those who support the bill will be some anti-Japanese organizations including those involved in antidiscrimination education, Korean peninsula power and human-rights groups.

If this bill comes into force, independent human-rights committee with no watchdog can arbitrarily assert ultimate authority, search (raid) the home of the people targeted at and then issue a summons to appear in court.  If they don’t comply with it, they have to pay a fine of JPY three hundred thousand.  While leaving the bill’s definition of a human-rights violation ambiguous, the Gestapo Human-Rights Committee will make a discretionary decision of what discrimination is.  This is the most terrifying.  This is a horrible bill by which an individual targeted at is subject to arbitrary abuse of investigatory powers.

Among the incumbent ministers opposing to the bill were two ministers; Matsubara Hitoshi, the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission (Minister of State for Special Missions) and Tadahiro Matsushita, the former Minister in charge of Financial Services and Postal Privatization.  Minister Matsushita passed away suddenly on 10th.  On the other hand, Minister Matsubara was on a trip abroad.  This means that the bill was forced to be passed through the Diet while opponents were absent.  This was apparently intentional act.  The more we consider questions about the death of the former minister Matsushita, the more naturally we reach the conclusion that his death is next to assassination.  On the day of his death, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda casually said, “I am very surprised at the news.  He always cheered me up during difficult times.  I’m lost for words.”  In the same breath, however, he took the opportunity and had the bill passed in the Diet.  How cold-blooded he was to take advantage of the death of Mr. Matsushita!

I’d like to say that over and over again, but the mission imposed on the Noda administration by the U.S. is to enact the bill to raise the consumption tax and to pave the way for a contemporary version of the Public Peace Preservation law.  The human-rights protection bill will become the most effective tool for suppression of free speech.  The Noda Administration gives the top priority to establishment of an effective system for suppression of free speech.  (I pray for the repose of Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita’s soul.)

[Sankei Shimbun] “Article 9 of the Constitution” In The News – Talks by Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai and Ms. Mizuho Fukushima


I am amazed to see Ms. Mizuho Fukushima keep participating actively in the political arena since March 11 last year.  Although I am somewhat reluctant to vote for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), I would like to vote for Ms. Mizuho Fukushima.  In the original article Ms. Mizuho Fukushima is introduced next to Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai.  I would like to introduce Ms. Fukushima first, in reverse order because I think that there is no point in listening to Ms. Sakurai’s view.  According to Mr. Kyosuke Yamashina’s blog that Mr. Ichiro Iiyama recommends to read, he sends hearty cheers to “Mizuhotan.”  If they have a mascot doll “Mizuhotan” come out in the election, she will win.
Masatoshi Takeshita

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English translation of a Japanese article: BIGLOBE News (Sankei Shimbun) – August 31, 2012 –


“Article 9 of the Constitution” In The News – Talks by Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai and Ms. Mizuho Fukushima

We have faced many issues on the Northern Territories, the Senkaku Islands and the Takeshima Islands.  In the midst of invasion of traditional Japanese territories by neighboring countries, Article 9 of the Constitution has been in the news anew.  I wonder if we can protect our country under the name of “Peace Constitution” which stipulates the non-possession of arms.  We asked Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai, a journalist, and Ms. Mizuho Fukushima, SDP leader, what they think.  (Interviewer: Shinji Naito)

Ms. Mizuho Fukushima (left) & Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai(right)


■Ms. Mizuho Fukushima:  “It is questionable to invoke the right of self-defense in Senkaku.”

Q: What is the significance of Article 9?

“Without Article 9, Japan would be a country which is allowed to fight wars.  Like Korea which had youth join an army in Vietnam, Japan should have sent the young to a battlefield.  Korean troops are hated in Vietnam.  We can boast of the fact that Japan has killed nobody in any war in the postwar period.  When Japan is forced to join in a war as a result of involvement in the interest of the U.S., we can say “No” to the U.S., which is the usefulness Article 9 has.”

●We are not attacked if we observe Article 9.

Q: How should we cope with an attack by another country?

“It is unthinkable that any country will attack the country with Article 9 stipulating “no invasion of the world.”  If any country should attack such pacifist country, the country would be criticized by the world.”

Q: Is it unlikely that the Senkaku islands will be invaded by the Chinese government?

“The Senkaku islands belong to a civilian.  Invasion is equivalent to infringement of ownership and invasion of territory.  As Japan and China have built an economically close relationship now (as of July 27), I wonder if the Chinese government can take a step to wage a war.”

Q: There is a plan to get the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) permanently stationed in the Senkaku islands.

“We should not compound the problem further.  There is no doubt that Senkaku is the territory of Japan.  We have the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).  We don’ need to station the SDF there.

●SDF dispatch to foreign countries is against the constitution.

Q: When the Senkaku islands are attacked, is SDF dispatch equivalent to the use of right in self-defense?

“Like self-defense is justified by criminal law, Japan has the right to individual self-defense.  If Shikoku or Kyushu is attacked, counterattack is acceptable.  However, nobody lives in Senkaku.  Therefore, we should treat it in a calm manner as the issue over territory, not as that over right to individual self-defense or Article 9.”

Q: Specifically?

“We should resolve the problem at international negotiating table.  We also need diplomatic efforts to forestall an invasion.”

Q: When you were a Cabinet minister, you were asked about the constitutionality of the SDF in the Diet and   you responded that SDF was “constitutional.

“The SDP has not responded about constitutionality of SDF.  We consider that the SDF dispatch to foreign countries is “unconstitutional.”  It is necessary to reorganize the SDF and review its scale.  Is it necessary to deploy this many tanks to Hokkaido after the collapse of the Soviet Union?  Their duties should be shifted more to disaster-relief activities.”

Q: In the time of Tomiichi Murayama administration, SDP indicated the party’s view that SDF is “constitutional.”

“The party’s view on SDF and security was included in SDP Declaration, which was compiled in 2006.  The view has been maintained.”

Q: Give us your determination to attain peace.

“My father was a survivor of a Kamikaze squad.  When I was a child, I used to see him cry on the anniversary of the end of World War II.  It is ordinary people like him that get hurt in war.  We should cherish the Peace Constitution and our pledge that we will never wage war, both of which we have got as the price for defeat in war.”



■Ms. Yoshiko Sakurai: “No revision is betrayal to the people of Japan.”

Q:  About Article 9

“The article should be revised promptly.  The main reason is that self-defense right is not stipulated in it.  In my draft proposal it is stipulated that “Japan has Defense Forces to protect the country’s independence and safety as well as the people.”

○Do China, South Korea and Russia have justice?

Q: Can we protect our soil from other countries with the philosophy of Article 9?

“The preamble to the Constitution and Article 9 should be thought of as one.  The preamble says “We have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.”  I wonder where on the earth we can find the fairness and faith of China, South Korea and Russia.  As long as we watch the movement of the three countries, the preamble and Article 9 should be interpreted as abdication of responsibility and nothing but betrayal to the people of Japan.”

Q:  After the war, there were not a few politicians who claimed “If we observe Article 9, we will not be attacked by foreign countries.”

“If any politician mentions such kind of opinion, he/she will be laughingstock of the international society.  Politicians have the responsibility of protecting the people’s life and Japan’s territorial soil/sea, that is, protect national interests.  If we take no measures under the premise that the other party will not attack us, it is the height of intellectual laziness.”

Q: How should we govern the Senkaku?

“We should have policemen and researchers permanently stationed there to realize visibly effective control, and have the Japan Coast Guard take responsibility of security of surrounding sea.  SDF should be at sea  a little far away from them to promptly cope with any emergency.”

Q: What is the influence of Article 9 on Japanese after the war?

“Not a few people born after the war have had a gruesome impression on SDF and armament immediately after hearing such topics talked about.  I feel that the Japanese “way to live as responsible person” has been denied and we have become Japanese different than what we should be.”

Q: We have a strong impression that national defense depends on the U.S.

“If anything should happen, we ask whether the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is applied or not before discussing “what we should do to resolve it by our own efforts.”  On the other hand, some claim “We don’t like Ospreys” or “Eliminate bases.”  I am worried that it is an abject and self-centered way of thinking.”

○Don’t evade discussing nuclear armament.

Q: How should we discuss national defense?

“Anti-nuke movements have been active now, but we should not evade discussing even nuclear armament.  We have to recognize that we live in an age when it is likely that nuclear weapons will fall into the hands of terrorists.  The nation should think about every possible means for “ultimate goal of survival.”

Q: Some say that Japanese have weak sense of self-defense.  Should we have a draft system like in South Korea?

““Duty to serve for the public” should be included in the Constitution.  We should have obligation to serve for others, the public, or Japan for several years, wherever it may be; in SDF, fire department, Japan Coast Guard, or welfare workplace.

[Profile] Mizuho Fukushima
She was born in Miyazaki Pref. in 1955, aged 56.  She graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tokyo University.  She is a lawyer and a House of Councilors member (elected three times).  After serving as Secretary General of SDP, she has served as the party’s leader since 2003.  She held a position such as Minister in charge of responding consumer and population issues (in the Hatoyama Cabinet).  She is currently a member of the Constitution Review Board, House of Councilors.  She has written books such as “Let’s stop the gap between the rich and the poor, and wars with the Constitution in your hands” and others.


[Profile Yoshiko Sakurai]
She was born in Vietnam in 1945, aged 66.  She, a journalist, graduated from the Faculty of Historical Science, Hawaii University.  She serves as Chairman of Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, and Representative of “Advisory Panel of Well-Informed Independent Personalities on ‘21st Japan and Constitution’” (a private temporary Constitution investigation committee).  She has written books such as “Be graceful, strong and beautiful – Restoration of Japan Starts with Amending the Constitution – and others.

[Hyoukichi’s Doubt] What Stalking-Horse Osaka Restoration Group Intends To Do

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Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita posted on his blog – September 1, 2012 –

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu – August 31, 2012 –

Source)  Hyoukichi’s Doubt – August 31, 2012 –

What Stalking-Horse Osaka Restoration Group Intends To Do
1.     Consumption tax increase
2.     Promotion of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
3.     Restart of nuclear power plants

The people oppose the above three which the Noda cabinet intends to do.
Public approval rating of the cabinet is diminishing.
However, what Toru Hashimoto who is flattered by all mass media intends to do is:

1. To use consumption tax as local revenue (if it can be done, tax increase is acceptable)
2. Promotion of TPP
3. Acceptance of restarting nuclear power plants

These are almost the same goals as the Noda Cabinet has.
I wonder what makes them dare to say “political change.”
And yet they are the same goals as the LPD has.

In a word, DPJ, LDP and Hashimoto are all the same breed.
So why does the Group claim itself the “center of the third strongest political force”?
It is because the mass media identify the group as such center the way they want.

The group seems to intend to mystify the public by making a statement of policy, which is too long and unreadable to get the point.
You have to watch out for the above three items.

Don’t be taken in by Hashimoto, but rather be careful not to be taken in by the mass media that flatter him.
Hashimoto is a politician who sets a goal of political change but in reality maintains the status quo.  He will make the situation worse.
It is a sort of stalking-horse.

[Ankoku Yaokou] Right-Wing Shift of Japan’s Major Political Parties – Keep An Eye Out For Bad Intentions to Revise Pacifist Constitution and Spell Out “Right To Collective Self-Defense”

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Pay attention to the parts in blue of the article shown below.
I also think Mr. Ishiba will make an aggressive move.  The group which supports him must have already made a move.  We have to watch out for it.

Masatoshi Takeshita


English translation of an excerpt of a Japanese article: Ankoku Yakou ～I Give A Thought To Collapsing Japan ～ August 18, 2012


Right-Wing Shift of Japan’s Major Political Parties 
– Keep An Eye Out For Bad Intentions to Revise Pacifist Constitution and Spell Out “Right To Collective Self-defense”

Recently, Japan’s relations to East Asian countries such as “Takeshima dispute” and “Senkaku dispute” have created quite an uproar.  Then “right-wing shift” of Japan’s major political parties and politicians has suddenly come to the front.

No!  Not only political parties and politicians but major mass media have rather excessively fanned such shift.  As a result, with their patriotism tickled, even many people also have given “rightish” comments here and there: “The government’s weak-kneed foreign diplomacy is unpardonable!”, “Defend the territory of Japan at all cost” and “Take action with resolution.”

What I want to say here is of course not denial of “patriotism” but the fact that if we react emotionally, we will play into the hands of the “power of state” and the “suzerain state” behind it.

What lies ahead is evil intention to revise the pacifist constitution and spell out Japan’s “right to collective self-defense,” which we have been down this road before.

So this time I have taken up an article of “The Economist,” a British weekly newspaper, which reports Japan’s right-wing shift and the trend leading to constitutional revision.

As this is a little old article, I want you to speed read the part concerning political situation.  To sum it up: It points out that the Noda administration has embodied “fiscal conservatism” named “consumption-tax increase,” a long-cherished wish of bureaucrats in the Finance Ministry.  It introduces Shintaro Ishihara and Toru Hashimoto as firebrands, who are stirring up the political agenda, engaging in China-bashing and union-bashing respectively.

Above all, I want you to pay attention to the parts on “intentions of the LDP” listed below.

“The LDP hopes to differentiate the party with a nationalist election campaign that looks likely to border on emperor-worship.”

“And the party will seek to change the way constitutionally pacifist Japan defends itself militarily in an insecure neighborhood, with an assertive China on its doorstep.”

“The LDP (Shigeru Ishiba)’s most assertive campaign pledge will be to spell out Japan’s “right to collective self-defense” if attacked by outside forces, and it tries to advocate for the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution.”

“Furthermore, the party wants that amendment to be part of a long-term effort to rewrite the constitution, including making the emperor the head of state , who is currently merely a “symbol of state”, and giving greater weight to the national flag and anthem.”

“Mr. Ishiba thinks that the LDP can win over the public by emphasizing the threat of Chinese and Russian claims to islands the Japanese consider their own, as well as the nuclear danger posed by North Korea.”

In view of the reckless acts of the three parties of DPJ, LDP and New Komeito, which were seen at the time of enacting the consumption-tax increase bill, they are likely to really revise the pacifist constitution and spell out the “right to collective self-defense.”   I believe that I am not alone in feeling like this.

Namely, as I mentioned above, if we react emotionally to the “Takeshima” and “Senkaku” disputes, we will play into the hands of the power of state or the U.S. that aims at revising the pacifist constitution.