OSAKA -- Writer Makoto Oda is waging a petition drive, seeking people who support his opposition to the threatened U.S. attack on Iraq and his call for the Japanese government to act as an intermediary to prevent a war.
Oda serves as chairman of two citizens' groups, in Osaka and Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Their "Declaration on Sept. 11, 2002" was made at a Wednesday evening meeting in Osaka to discuss the world situation a year after the terrorist attacks in the United States.
"It is a very simple declaration written in Japanese and English. We would like to expand the network of people around the world who support this idea," Oda said. "We have to start something to prevent a chain reaction of violence."
Writer Chinatsu Nakayama, who attended the meeting, said citizens should stick to the basics of what they believe in and should not be swayed by the world of politics.
"Even if it is considered unrealistic, we should not give up efforts to create a world without war," she said.