No to War! Yes to Peace!
 Women’s Network in JR Tackling Challenges.

　

In JRU there is a women’s network, Women against War in JR (WAW), composed of union officers, staff and family members. On 15 November, members participated in “Peace 9 Festa”. Peace 9 is an abbreviation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution which stipulates renunciation of war. The festival has been held every year. They made a full size of mailbox and called for the participants to write an appeal letter for opening the trial of the JRU7 case at the Supreme Court.

The Festa was held by some 100 groups of advocates of protection of the Constitution and those fighting against false accusations. They held exhibitions such as movies, discussion and debrief sessions relating to peace and war, human rights and false charges. More than 3,000 citizens came to join the Festa. The Festa made up a slogan, “No to war! Yes to peace!” this year.

The large, red mailbox (see the picture) stood out so conspicuously there that many of the visitors paid attention to the JRU7’s case. The number of the post cards written by them totaled 174.

On 5 December, WAW held its annual general meeting under the slogan of “Let’s create our future full of radiance of lives with the network of peace and human rights!” 130 women came from across Japan. In the meeting they shared activities of the previous year and confirmed determination to fight against union busting and for the victory in the Upper House election. Women invited those tackling false charges such as JRU7 Case, Gamagoori Case, Meirin JHS Case and Fukawa Case. Everyone gave solidarity words. The alleged homicides in the case of Fukawa who had been in jail for 29 years, after this meeting on 14 December, won the Supreme Court judgment of retrial. The guest speaker was Song pu-ja, honorary curator of Korea Museum in Tokyo.

On the walls of the hall, banners and patchwork tapestries made by members across Japan, which represented peace and human rights. The meeting was concluded with great success. All the participants shared determination to ensure peace and human rights by fighting against distinction, bias and human rights abuse.