Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces and other war potential. Article 9 is an international oath declaring No to War.

Yet today the Japanese government is moving towards amending Article 9, partly due to the US demand for full-fledged military support from Japan. This is one of the hottest political issues in Japan today, and has not only domestic implications but will affect the entire world.

In order to support Japan's peace constitution, and spread its principles internationally, the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War is being planned for May 4-6, 2008. At Makuhari Messe in Chiba, 10,000 people are expected to attend, including Nobel Peace Laureates, intellectuals, cultural figures and NGO activists. As well as keynote speeches by Nobel Prize Laureates such as Northern Ireland's Mairead Corrigan Maguire, a variety of events open to the public such as lectures, music and various performances and displays will also take place. Events will be held not only at the main Chiba venue, but also in Sendai, Osaka and Hiroshima.

A press conference will be held as follows to launch the Global Article 9 Conference and the promotion of disarmament, demilitarization and a culture of peace.

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Press Conference

Date: 26 October 2007 (Fri), 14:00-15:00

Venue:
Shufu Kaikan Plaza F (4F Chatolet Room), 1 min from JR Yotsuya Station
15-6 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo TEL 03-3265-8111

Map: http://www.plaza-f.or.jp/information/otoiawase/otoiawase.html

Content:
1. Introduction to the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War
2. Video messages for the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War from Nobel Prize Laureates including Wangari Maathai (Kenya) and Mairead Corrigan Maguire (Northern Ireland)

Attending Co-Initiators of the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War include:

Alexander, Ronni (Professor, Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies)
Hoshikawa Jun (Executive Director, Greenpeace Japan)
Isezaki Kenji (Lecturer, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; former Chief of the Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration (DDR) Coordination Section of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone)
Ito Makoto (Director, Ito Juku and Japan Institute of Constitutional Law)
Junkerman, John (Film director)
Naruse Masahiro (Artist)
Niikura Osamu (President, Japanese Lawyers International Solidarity Association)
Shinagawa Masaji (Chairperson, International Development Center of Japan; Co-executive, Japan Association of Corporate Executives)
Taniyama Hiroshi (President, Japan International Volunteer Center)
Tsutsumi Mika (Journalist)
Yoshioka Tatsuya (Director, Peace Boat)
Yukawa Reiko (songwriter and music critic)

Organiser / Contact:
Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War, Japan Organizing Committee (Office within Peace Boat)
Tel: 03-3363-7967
Email: info@whynot9.jp

For further information, please see:
Japanese: http://whynot9.jp / English: www.article-9.org

※ Contact on the day: Rika Watanabe, 090-9145-2864 (English and Japanese OK)

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