It is Constitution Day, 3 May and a public holiday. Not just any day today, but the 70th anniversary of the present Japanese Constitution, the one with the Peace Article (Article 9) which (technically) prevents Japan from maintaining armed forces and fighting wars. People have been protecting it, arguing about it and wanting to change for all of its 70 years.
I've been studying it for about 30 years and teaching it for about 20 years. I now teach about it to Japanese students. I won't bore you here with the details of the whys and wherefores, suffice to say, I reckon it is a pretty important Constitution to note, as these things go.
Today I headed off to see an exhibition at the National Archives which included the original Constitution on show. Too good to miss out on. And I wasn't disappointed. Even the long line through the gallery was heartening to see so many people interested in looking at the Constitution and the associated documents.
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| The National Archives |
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| And the exhibition banner |
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| An early draft |
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| Drafts of Article 9 |
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| Editing of Art 9 |
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| The government announcement of the new constitution |
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| Several booklets were published to explaining the new Constitution, including illustrations |
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| Cover of one of the books |
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| The Constitution, with the seal and signature of the Showa Emperor, Hirohito, Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru and the full cabinet |
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| Article 9, on pages 5 and 6 |
After that, it was off to the other side of town, actually walking distance from my campus where supporters of the current Constitution gather each year on this day to reaffirm the importance of the Article 9. I was here last year too. I think this year was bigger.
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| Protest posters |
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| Banners |
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| preparing for the parade |
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| No nukes |
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| The stage |
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| Article 9 and art |
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| Standing out for peace |
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| Ina ll sorts of ways |
Today, Prime Minister Abe showed his cards with an assertion that the Constitution will be amended by 2020. He wants a stronger, more assertive defence force. I think he will have quite a fight on his hands if comments I overheard today are any indication.
There's something about Peace. People like it.
[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 12.17pm-13.25pm, 2.53pm-3.06pm: 3 May 2017]
