Reason 1: It is “Japanese Citizens” who have maintained
Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, declaring the renunciation of war for
nearly 70 years.
We believe that it is marvelous that
we have maintained for nearly 70 years Article 9, which declares the renunciation of war and is a pioneer in the world.
In the last 70 years, there were
different opinions and attempts to revise the Constitution which renounces
war. However, Japan still maintains
Article 9 of the Constitution today. That is not the result of only a few Japanese Citizens but all Japanese Citizens
who have made it possible.
Consequently, the implementation
committee considers Japanese Citizens as one group.
Reason 2: The Japanese people are to act as sovereigns and
consider it own issue.
By nominating Japanese Citizens as the
candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, each individual, as a sovereign and a
person concerned, can consider Article 9 as his own, and learn and discuss the
issue more seriously.
Moreover we sincerely hope that each
individual will step forward to make the aspirations of Article 9 come true.
Reason 3: We do not want to narrow
down the candidates to a specific group or individual.
We know there were many people during
WWII and after the War who passed down the misery of the war and importance of
peace. We hope that these efforts will be brought to light more clearly.
We also know many individuals and
groups have been working diligently in
order to protect Article 9.
Therefore we have decided that we
should not narrow down the candidates to specific people and groups.
Reason 4: We
are the precious comrades who are marching together to achieve a peaceful
world.
We believe that even those who insist
on maintaining military power and revising the Constitution desire a peaceful
world. We think even the claims from those who insist on the need to revise the
Constitution can give an important hint for the peaceful ideal of Article 9.
Japanese Citizens may have different
idea and opinions.
However,
they are precious comrades who are marching together to achieve a peaceful
world.
Reason5: Wishing to bring Article 9
to light
We think that our movement of
“Japanese Citizens for Nobel Peace Prize”
will help other candidates supporting Article 9.
This year, not only ours but many
other activities supporting Article 9 became candidates for the Nobel Peace
Prize. We are pleased and will support these other candidates.
It is not important as to who
specifically is awarded the Prize. We really hope that Article 9 of the
Japanese Constitution will be brought to light all over the world.
Reason 6: “Japanese Citizens” are registered as a
genuine candidate for Nobel Peace Prize.
In April 2014, our implementation committee received the
official letter from the Nobel Committee.
This
letter is sent only when the Committee considers the recommendation is
acceptable to them.
Thus
the Japanese Citizens has been accepted as a group, and made it a genuine
candidate of the Peace Prize.
Also
in September of last year, we received an invitation letter from the Norwegian
Nobel Committee requesting us to nominate candidates for Nobel Peace Prize for 2015.
Executive Committee for “The Nobel Peace Prize for Article 9 of the Japanese
Constitution”
10-Feb-2015
10-Feb-2015
