Appeal against Undemocratic Approval of
Wiretapping Bill

Since the Judicial Affairs Committee in the Ministry of Justice began discussing
the wiretapping bill---part of a three-bill anti-crime package---which would
infringe on our free civilian movement, we, with the support of lawyers,
politicians, and Internet users, have been fighting against the bill. A recent
poll, in which more than half of respondents opposed the bill, indicates that
the whole of Japan is arrayed against the bill. In the midst of this controversy,
however, the Diet has passed the bill by coercion. This is merely the
abuse of the power of the majority coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party,
the Liberal Party, and the Komei Party.

At this time, we express indignation at the series of undemocratic and immoral
actions of the governing coalition. The wiretapping bill, which violates our
individual privacy and human rights, is indeed unconstitutional, and we think
that the unlawful legislative procedure that passed the bill was a challenge to
our democracy. No democracy is possible without rules. We cannot accept a vote
without counting and a record of proceedings. If this is accepted, we no longer
need discussion, voting, or even politicians as well. We will not tolerate
such foolishness.

We the citizens have witnessed everything. Someday, in the not too distant
future, a bigger power outside the Diet will overthrow the logic of the
majority.

The bill is invalid and unacceptable.

We will be looking for every possible way to repeal this bill. We will
investigate and inform the citizens who committed all those absurdities and
how, and we will continue to fight to have the bill abolished.

August 12, 1999

Signatory groups:
Consumers Union of Japan,
Women's Democratic Club, No Nukes Asia Forum Japan,
Japan International Volunteer Center,
The Ad Hoc Counter Committee For National Secrecy Law of The United Church of Christ in Japan,
Kanagawa District,
Peace Net News, and 21 other groups.

mailto:nishoren@jca.apc.org