Dear, Committee members of the Nobel Prize,
We express our sincere respect and gratitude for your effort and contribution for the progress of the human societies in the world.
We humbly request, to spread a pacifist constitution in all the countries of the world, please award the Nobel Peace Prize to the Japanese citizens who have continued maintaining this pacifist constitution, Article 9 in particular, up until present.
We herewith attached the supporting signatures and comments from all the people in the world who urge for the peace.
These signatures are sent to us from last year ,and the total of 487,027 in numbers; total 411,811 signatures signed on papers, and total 75,216 signatures by internet.
We ask you to accept these signatures and comments as a supporting document for the letters of nomination.
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【Petition】: To spread a peace constitution in all the countries of the world, we request that the Nobel Peace Prize be given to the Japanese citizens who have continued maintaining this pacifist constitution, Article 9 in particular, up until present.
To Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland Chair of the Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Committee members.
The Japanese Constitution is a pacifist constitution that stipulates renunciation of war in its preamble and notably Article 9. Article 9 in particular has been playing an important role since the end of WWII in preventing the Japanese government from waging war. Article 9 has become the hope of those who aspire for peace in Japan and the world. However, the Japanese Constitution is currently under the threat of being revised.
To spread a peace constitution in all the countries of the world, we request that the Nobel Peace Prize be given to the Japanese citizens who have continued maintaining this pacifist constitution, Article 9 in particular, up until present.
Total of 487,027 in numbers; total 411,811 signatures signed on papers, and total 75,216 signatures by internet.
Executive Committee for “The Nobel Peace Prize for Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution”
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Article 9 of the Constitution is a treasure that was created upon unimaginable sacrifices from war.
Japanese citizens may not yet be actively utilizing the Constitution. However, despite the current pressure worldwide to use weapons as a means to advance one’s position, based on the regrets from World War II, we have maintained a Constitution that voluntarily abandoned war and the possession of weapons for over 70 years. We believe that this has immensely contributed to world peace and stability. Of course, not all Japanese citizens are in favor of the current Constitution. However, even now, the Constitution has not been changed through a national vote. It can be said that this is purely because, with a hope for peace based on the regrets from the war, many people desire to pass on the cruelties of war, and that the deep desire for peace still exists in the minds of many people.
On July 1 of last year, there was a decision in the Cabinet to approve the right of collective self-defense. However, we, as sovereigns, believe that recognizing the use of the right of collective self-defense is contradictory to the pacifist ideals of the preamble to the Constitution. Additionally, a revised interpretation to the Constitution without a national vote is a violation of Article 96 of the Constitution. We thus believe that Article 9 of the Constitution remains unchanged (i.e. that the Cabinet decision is a violation of the Constitution and thus void).
Although the ruling parties received a 2/3 vote in favor in the House of Representatives in December of 2014, because a large discussion point was an issue with the economy, and also based on problems with the voting system at the time, this result cannot be a clear indication of a vote in favor of a constitutional revision. Originally, constitutional interpretation is determined on logic, and it is not something that can be swayed by a congressional vote.The Constitution is facing a crisis, but the Constitution itself has not changed.
Also, because we are now facing the danger of a constitutional revision and the citizens’ peace, human rights, and freedom are also in danger, we must protect this invaluable Article 9. To this end, we are moving forward with actions to ask that the Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to Article 9 so that its ideals can be spread worldwide. However, because the Nobel Peace Prize is only awarded to persons and organizations, we are acting under the group “the Japanese citizens who have continued maintaining the pacifist constitution, Article 9 in particular, up until present.”
We appreciate the fact that, because the Nobel Prize Committee accepted the nomination of “Japanese Citizens”, Article 9 of the Constitution has received attention and people interested in Article 9 have increased.
Additionally, we believe that there is an important meaning in the fact that because of the format of “Japanese citizens” as sovereigns, each citizen accepts that the problem of Article 9 and war and peace is their own, and becomes an impetus to think, discuss, and act, and that the connection expands not only nationally but throughout Asia and even worldwide.
While it is believed that letters of nomination of the same intent have been sent already, but these signatures are intended to support these nominations. Thus, we desire that you accept our hopes regarding these nominations.
Additionally, we appreciate the notice that “it is possible for one nominator recommend multiple candidates.” We have informed the nominators that, and some nominators used their discretion in nominating additional individuals and entities that they believe are worthy of nomination in relation to Article 9, in addition to “Japanese citizens”.
We hope for widespread interest in Article 9 that abandons war, and hope that the possibility of winning the prize increases through multiple nominees.
Finally, we pray for the health and prosperity of the individuals of The Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Executive Committee for “The Nobel Peace Prize for Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution”
1 of Feb, 2015
