His Excellency Shinzo ABE
Prime Minister of Japan
The Hague, 9 May 2017
Petition: 270
Subject: War-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
Excellency,
Japan’s present constitution prevents Japan to engage in an offensive war. Article 9 established Japan’s pacifism as it forever renounces war. Land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential will never be maintained. Japan was not involved in using military force overseas since 15 August 1945. World War II has been very “costly” for Japan and its opponents, both in lost lives and individual prospects as well as materially. The San Francisco Peace Treaty enabled Japan to recover economically, but left the individual victims with an open wound. On paper Japan apologized and paid tribute to the victims, but materially it failed to “share” its new found wealth with the victims its military made during the occupation of overseas territories. The image of Japan remains shifty and unconcerned with the victims it made in going into World War II. Renouncing article 9 of the Japanese Constitution without repairing the World War II damage makes it clear that Japan has not learned lessons of the past.
Prime Minister,
In this context it is remarkable that a parliamentary group of legislators are working together to establish a system to compensate civilian bombing survivors of World War II air raids on Japan. They submitted a multipartisan bill on April 27. The proposal is not limited to Japanese citizens as it is regardless nationality. It thus includes the Dutch Civilians who were transported as slaves to Japan to work there. The legislators are concerned with the survivors of the war which the constitution renounces forever. You should enhance this initiative to include our surviving members also.
Prime Minister,
We are awaiting your reply.
On behalf of the Foundation of Japanese Honorary Debts.
J.F. van Wagtendonk
President
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