April Fool: Japan's Constitution registered as World Heritage

Tuesday 01st April, 06:38 PM JST

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4 Comments

Sidwarwick at 08:45 AM JST - 2nd April

Hilarious!
desmosedici at 11:48 AM JST - 2nd April

So people receiving these flyers were left teary eyed from overflowing pride for nothing?
Piglet at 01:51 PM JST - 2nd April

For those who read French, we also learned yesterday that Japan wants to join European Union:

http://guillaumevares.blog.lemonde.fr/2008/04/01/le-japon-dans-lunion-europeenne/

Le Japon fera-t-il bientôt partie de l’Union Européenne ? Cette question, incongrue jusqu’à peu, pourrait bien se retrouver prochainement au coeur de l’actualité . M. Fukuda, premier ministre japonais, a en effet indiqué ce matin que l’archipel pourrait prochainement entamer la procédure visant à devenir candidat à l’adhésion. “Rien n’est encore joué, mais dans le meilleur des cas, nous pourrions envisager une adhésion d’ici 2018″, indiquent des sources proches du pouvoir. Selon un fonctionnaire de Bruxelles, “l’ouverture des négociations d’adhésion pourrait être très rapide”. Ce subit revirement de la politique japonaise réjouit tout autant qu’il inquiète. Le gouverneur de Tokyo, M.Ishihara, s’est ainsi déclaré farouchement opposé à toute perte de souverraineté de l’archipel. Il n’est cependant pas prévu que le Japon abandonne immédiatement sa monnaie, le Yen, au profit de l’Euro. “Nous exigerons, à la manière de nos amis britanniques, des garanties particulières en ce qui concerne la monnaie et notre contribution au budget de l’Union”, indique également M. Fukuda. Le Japon, comme tous les candidats précédents à l’adhésion, devra intégrer « l’acquis communautaire ». Les négociations d’adhésion pourraient débuter le 3 octobre 2008 et durer 10 à 15 ans. L’entrée du Japon dans l’Union européenne interviendra après la signature du Traité d’adhésion et sa ratification par tous les Etats membres de l’Union européenne. L’éventuelle candidature du Japon à l’adhésion dans l’Union Européenne devrait faire l’objet d’une allocution télévisée au cours de l’année 2008, selon l’entourage du premier ministre.
liralen42 at 01:55 PM JST - 6th April
Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War

Coming soon: 4-6 May, 2008! whynot9.jp/index_en.html

Global Article 9 Conference information　(25 February 2008) In this issue:

What is the Global Article 9 Conference?

Draft Conference Programme + Speakers include Nobel Peace Laureate + Exciting live concert featuring UA, Kato Tokiko, FUNKIST

Take Action! Join Us! The Peace Walk has begun - 400 people on the first day! + Calling for supporting individuals and organisations + Sign up to the Global Article 9 Newsletter + Tickets on sale

What is the Global Article 9 Conference?

The "Global Article 9 Conference" will be held in Tokyo, Japan on 4-6 May, 2008.

This conference will bring together the voices of the world supporting the existence and principle of Article 9. It will bring together Nobel Peace Laureates, intellectuals, cultural figures and NGO activists, and provide a forum to discuss what the citizens of the world can do to realize the principle of Article 9, through promoting disarmament, demilitarization and a culture of peace, and create an international movement for realization of "peace without force." We call for your support of the campaign and participation in the conference.

----- What is Article 9?

1) Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

----- What is its international relevance?

Article 9 is an international oath declaring No to War, acting as an international peace mechanism towards reductions in military spending, promotion of nuclear-weapon-free zones, ending violence against women, supporting conflict prevention, and mitigating the negative environmental impact of the military.

----- Contemplating Article 9

The Plenary session will be held on 4 May in the convention center's main hall (capacity 7000). Keynote and plenary speakers will bring their own expertise to discuss different aspects of Article 9, highlighting the global relevance of its nonviolent principles. The Plenary session will include discussions of current global issues, a welcoming ceremony for Peace Walk participants, and live concert performances by high profile domestic and international artists.

----- Keeping Article 9 Alive

On 5 May, the Conference will host a number symposiums, workshops, panels,and self-organized events to engage participants in the Article 9 debate. We hope that this will provide an open space for individuals to connect with both organizations based in Japan and the international community at large. Symposiums and workshops will include participation from invited experts alongside participants from related fields. Workshop discussions, displays and exhibits hosted by civil society groups will cater to the spirit of "local to global" involvement, providing an ideal stage for networking opportunities.

----- Spreading the Message of Article 9

The Conference will also be infused with artistic performances throughout each day. There will be spaces provided not only for discussion, but also for cinema, live music and art. A large concert event will also be a highlight of the plenary session on 4 May. Various ways to participate in the Conference can be seen at the participate section of this web site; there are also myriad ways you can contribute to supporting and spreading the message of the Global Article 9 Campaign.

On 5 -6 May, simultaneous Conference events will also be held in the cities of Sendai, Osaka and Hiroshima. These will include appearances from guest speakers and incorporate workshops and related events.
- Co-initiators and their statement ↓ http://www.whynot9.jp/_about/statement.html
- International supporters↓ http://www.article-9.org/en/support/list.html