NO to Anti-Conspiracy Law!
Today a measure regarding conspiracy crime will probably be passed. I’m sure
you’ve all heard about it as it’s finally shown up in the news a little bit
lately. I’ve been shocked many times during the past few years by the
horrible laws that have been passed, but this current one is absolutely about
precedent. Many people including myself can’t believe what’s happening.
Emergency legislation regarding terrorism, immigration laws (which were
recently passed by the ruling party with no input from the opposition at
all!), the Education Act, and now conspiracy crime. It really feels like we’
re returning to the time of the Great Japanese Empire before and during World
War II, when everyone was controlled by the Maintenance of Public Order Act.
It’s truly terrifying.
Freedom of speech, expression, and identity are basic elements of democracy
and should be protected without question. Still, schools force students to
pay respect to the Japanese flag and the National Anthem, grooming children
to be good little patriots. Children are taught that they should willingly
sacrifice their lives for the sake of their country in times of “emergency.”
All of this is a subtle form of mind control, and I can’t help but think
that we’re taking giant steps backward.
The anti-conspiracy law supposedly targets “organized criminal activity.”
It will punish those who “make preparations for or plan to commit crime.”
What is to stop the people with “power” – the ones who have the
government under their thumb who push to amend Article 9 of the constitution
as soon as possible and give Japan the power to wage war again – from
punishing those who speak out against their politician friends? And it’s an
extreme example, but under this law, getting together during one of my
concerts and crying out against the use of military power or protesting the
fact that the Japanese government is merely a puppet made to dance to the
tune of its American masters would be construed as a crime and everybody
there could be punished or arrested. NPO and NGO organizations like the ones I
’ve been involved with recently will be the first targets because they seek
to reform and improve modern society.
The government wants to look into people’s mind, to control their innermost
thoughts. They’re trying to slap handcuffs on the masses and make it so that
people have no rights. They want to create a society made up of oppressors
and the oppressed. To change the subject slightly (and I’m sure I’ll be
criticized for saying this) I really feel that the traffic laws regarding
alcohol and parking I’ve run up against in the last few years are way too
strict. I feel like we, as normal citizens, have no real freedom. It’s
beginning to seem like “Brazil” or “Fahrenheit 451,” or to use a more
recent example, “V For Vendetta.” We’re heading straight towards a
controlled society enveloped in utter darkness. And as a member of the human
race, I’m utterly against it.
It comes down to the fact that the ruling party has way too much power. And
sadly, compared to other countries, Japanese people have up until now been
less than willing to speak up and make their opinions heard. I think that’s
changing though. Whenever we think that something isn’t right, we need to be
able to speak out against it, to put our beliefs out there to be heard.
In any case, there’s still a little bit of time. And whatever it is that you
think is beautiful, is universal and right, don’t keep quiet about it. Raise
your voice! By doing so we will all become strong.
SUGIZO
Here are a few websites with some good information. They’re all great
resources worthy of being read carefully.
http://www.greenpeace.or.jp/info/features/civil_liberty/
http://www.greenpeace.or.jp/info/features/civil_liberty/appeal_html
http://list.jca.apc.org/public/aml/2006-May/006774.html
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hosakanobuto/e/7e132adeda9c8b3d5b2276fe6092b9ff
http://tochoho.jca.apc.org/kyz1/index.html
Posted by SUGIZO : May 19, 2006 06:01 AM