A group of intellectuals issued an appeal Sept. 25 in Tokyo calling on citizens to oppose the new Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines and for the government and politicians not to seek legislation designed to implement the accord.
The statement was issued by 14 intellectuals from various fields, including the former Nagasaki Mayor Hitoshi Motojima, Yoji Yamada, movie director of the "Tora-san" series, Koji Fushimi, former president of the Science Council of Japan, conductor Yuzo Toyama and social critic and writer Shuichi Kato.
The statement says the new guidelines were not the Japanese government's but a result of strong demand from the U.S. government. The purpose of the U.S. military's presence in Asia is for America's national interest and does not necessarily contribute to the peace and stability of Asia. It also states that the new guidelines will substantially affect citizens' life and rights.