Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes. Further, it prohibits the maintenance of armed forces and other war potential. Article 9 is an international oath declaring No to War, a shared property of all the world’s citizens who wish for peace.

The nomination of the Japanese people who conserve Article 9 for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize is sending a strong signal to the people of Japan, encouraging them to remain mobilized to preserve their peace clause and to demand their government to realize and strengthen the country’s peace commitments, rather than weaken them, as is currently threatened under the Abe government.

Peace Boat launched the Global Article 9 Campaign to Abolish War in 2005, together with the Japan Lawyers’ International Solidarity Association (JALISA) and sponsored by a coalition of civil society organizations in Japan. The Campaign has since received support from dozens of groups and thousands of individuals worldwide, including Nobel Laureates and key international figures. Over 33,000 people gathered at the Global Article 9 Conference it organised in Japan May, 2008. Peace Boat serves as the Secretariat of the Campaign.

To celebrate the nomination of the Japanese people who conserve Article 9 for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, Peace Boat will organise a public viewing of the announcement of the announcement of the 2014 winner at its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. With live streaming from Oslo on a large screen, the event will feature appeals by well-known Japanese figures and representatives of the Global Article 9 Campaign. They will also be available for commentary and interview upon the announcement of the prize. A visual appeal by Japanese youth in support of Article 9 will also be made.

Time:    From 17:30 JEST, October 10, 2014 (Announcement from Oslo at 18:00 JEST)

Venue:    Peace Boat Center Tokyo

             B1, 3-13-1 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0075, Japan
6 mins walk from Takadanobaba Station, Jr Yamanote Line / Metro Tozai Line
Map: http://www.peaceboat.org/english/wtpb/map.html

Programme:

  • Appeals by well-known Japanese figures and representatives of the Global Article 9 Campaign
  • Live broadcast of Nobel Peace Prize Announcement from Oslo on large screen
  • Announcement of Peace Boat / Global Article 9 Campaign Statement in response
  • Japanese, English, Spanish, Korean speaking representatives available for comment regarding result
  • Visual appeal by youth in support of Article 9

Contact:

Meri Joyce, International Coordinator, Peace Boat / Global Article 9 Campaign

Email: meri@peaceboat.gr.jp
Tel: Office +81-(0)3-3363-8047 / Mobile +81-(0)80-3457-9714


Peace Boat: www.peaceboat.org / www.facebook.com/peaceboat

Global Article 9 Campaign: www.article-9.org / www.facebook.com/article9