Hiroshima citizens hold workshops to examine Peace Promotion Ordinance draft to be proposed by City Council: Concerns arise over “role of citizens”
Feb. 10, 2021
by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer
Efforts are growing by Hiroshima citizens involved in the peace movement to learn about the draft Peace Promotion Ordinance (tentative name), which Hiroshima City Council members are aiming to propose, by holding workshops and other events. Concerns have increased about interpretation of the terms “role of citizens” and “peace” written into the draft.
On February 8, a video conference was held to review the ordinance draft with citizens. The meeting was organized by a local government issue research institute based in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward. About 20 citizens, including those from peace and antinuclear groups, participated in the session.
During the discussions, participants challenged the draft ordinance’s Article 5, which describes the role of citizens as cooperating with city measures. Tetsuo Kaneko, 72, a member of the representative committee of the Hiroshima prefectural chapter of the Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs, said, “Overall, the draft undervalues the role of citizens.” Mr. Kaneko added that insofar as the City Council will create the ordinance, it should listen carefully to citizens’ opinions to ensure the ordinance can facilitate their activities.
As for the definition of peace written into the ordinance’s Article 2, Tomoko Watanabe, 67, executive director of ANT-Hiroshima, an NPO that engages in collaborative projects internationally and based in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward, stressed that diverse perspectives such as the concept of a sustainable society should be also incorporated. Ms. Watanabe said, “Compared to the internationally recognized definition of peace, this ordinance’s content is insufficient.” Others question the true meaning of the provision in Article 6 indicating that the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony should be held in a dignified manner.
On the night of February 14, Kuniko Watanabe, 40, a member of ANT-Hiroshima, and others will hold an online event to engage in debate about the ordinance draft.
by Hajime Niiyama, Staff Writer
Discussion on establishment of the Peace Promotion Ordinance was initiated in a Hiroshima City Council special committee on peace promotion and safe society creation in June 2017. Afterward, this task was taken over by the council’s policymaking review conference, which consists of representative councilors from all political factions, and about four years were spent in preparing the draft.
A total of 15 review meetings have been held. Meeting members from 150 peace groups and 85 leading experts were surveyed to learn their opinions about the ordinance, to which 31 people from 30 groups, 26% of the total, responded. The respondents provided feedback including requests that the ordinance be something that people can participate in casually, and that it not be compulsory.
Last summer, the basic outline of the ordinance was released, complete with its preamble and 10 articles. The outline clearly stated the definition of peace, the role of citizens, and the holding of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in a dignified manner. As for the provision regarding the peace memorial ceremony, with demonstrations taking place near the venue, the council unanimously approved the resolution in June 2019 seeking cooperation from citizens for holding the ceremony in a quiet environment.
Shinso Wakabayashi, chair of the review meeting and a city councilor who is a member of the political group Civil Alliance for Peace and Constitutionalism, said, “We included the role of citizens in the draft with the aim of gaining their support, rather than forcing the ordinance on them.” With regard to the description to hold the ceremony in a more dignified environment, Mr. Wakabayashi said, “We used the wording of ‘with citizen understanding and cooperation,’ in consideration of both the wishes of A-bomb victims’ families who want to pray quietly and freedom of speech rights, such as the right to hold demonstrations. We will listen to the opinions of citizens.”
The City Council will continue gathering opinions about the draft resolution until February 15, aiming to propose the draft and pass it by the end of this fiscal year.
Interview with Kazuyuki Tamura, Hiroshima University professor emeritus: Ordinance draft should be explained to and discussed with citizens by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer
The Chugoku Shimbun conducted an interview with Kazuyuki Tamura, 78, professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, a resident of the city’s Higashi Ward, and an expert of administrative law and knowledgeable about the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law. We asked Mr. Tamura about the draft of Hiroshima City’s Peace Promotion Ordinance.
Mr. Tamura:
Establishment of this ordinance is meaningful. It is considered a basic ordinance aimed at defining the basic philosophy of the city’s measures related to peace promotion and providing the legal background for creating an international city of peace and culture, which is an effort promoted by the city. The city will bear responsibility to faithfully execute the provisions laid out in the ordinance. It will lead to development of concrete measures by government agencies and the mayor.
However, some points in the draft should be reviewed. One is that the draft defines both peace and devastation caused by the atomic bombing only in a limited sense.
In Article 2, peace is defined as a state in which nuclear weapons are eliminated and no wars or armed conflicts occur anywhere in the world. Nevertheless, the city’s gender equality promotion ordinance indicates, “It can be said that peace is realized for the first time after everyone is freed from discrimination and oppression.” The city’s basic concept includes decent life for human beings as being part of the definition of peace. Taking such definitions into consideration, the draft should be reviewed.
The atomic bombing devastated many aspects of citizens’ lives. However, that reality has not been fully incorporated into the draft’s preamble. The perspective of promoting relief and support for A-bomb victims is not included, either. There is also no reference to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As measures for peace promotion, the draft describes, “Keeping alive the memories of the A-bomb survivors’ experience of the atomic bombing and conveying them to next generations.” However, the ordinance should be more specific to ensure the understanding that its measures include efforts to preserve and study A-bombed artifacts and ruins, as well as to promote peace education programs.
As for the role of citizens, the ordinance defines the concept as cooperating with the city’s measures. There is a possibility, however, that some citizens may object to the city’s measures. But if the assumption is to provide cooperation as defined in the draft, that would mean that opposing or not cooperating with the measures would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Even though no penalty is imposed for any violations, such provisions should not be incorporated into the ordinance.
Although the ordinance will become the foundation of the city’s measures, the draft lacks balance because it includes detailed descriptions only for the Peace Memorial Ceremony to be performed with dignity. There is a fear that the ordinance might not be as effective as expected if it is established amid citizens’ doubts. I hope the City Council will establish the opportunity to directly explain the ordinance draft to people and show its stance that it hopes to create a better ordinance together with them.
(Originally published on February 10, 2021)
Efforts are growing by Hiroshima citizens involved in the peace movement to learn about the draft Peace Promotion Ordinance (tentative name), which Hiroshima City Council members are aiming to propose, by holding workshops and other events. Concerns have increased about interpretation of the terms “role of citizens” and “peace” written into the draft.
On February 8, a video conference was held to review the ordinance draft with citizens. The meeting was organized by a local government issue research institute based in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward. About 20 citizens, including those from peace and antinuclear groups, participated in the session.
During the discussions, participants challenged the draft ordinance’s Article 5, which describes the role of citizens as cooperating with city measures. Tetsuo Kaneko, 72, a member of the representative committee of the Hiroshima prefectural chapter of the Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs, said, “Overall, the draft undervalues the role of citizens.” Mr. Kaneko added that insofar as the City Council will create the ordinance, it should listen carefully to citizens’ opinions to ensure the ordinance can facilitate their activities.
As for the definition of peace written into the ordinance’s Article 2, Tomoko Watanabe, 67, executive director of ANT-Hiroshima, an NPO that engages in collaborative projects internationally and based in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward, stressed that diverse perspectives such as the concept of a sustainable society should be also incorporated. Ms. Watanabe said, “Compared to the internationally recognized definition of peace, this ordinance’s content is insufficient.” Others question the true meaning of the provision in Article 6 indicating that the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony should be held in a dignified manner.
On the night of February 14, Kuniko Watanabe, 40, a member of ANT-Hiroshima, and others will hold an online event to engage in debate about the ordinance draft.
Preparing draft over four years, City Council calls for citizen opinions until February 15
by Hajime Niiyama, Staff Writer
Discussion on establishment of the Peace Promotion Ordinance was initiated in a Hiroshima City Council special committee on peace promotion and safe society creation in June 2017. Afterward, this task was taken over by the council’s policymaking review conference, which consists of representative councilors from all political factions, and about four years were spent in preparing the draft.
A total of 15 review meetings have been held. Meeting members from 150 peace groups and 85 leading experts were surveyed to learn their opinions about the ordinance, to which 31 people from 30 groups, 26% of the total, responded. The respondents provided feedback including requests that the ordinance be something that people can participate in casually, and that it not be compulsory.
Last summer, the basic outline of the ordinance was released, complete with its preamble and 10 articles. The outline clearly stated the definition of peace, the role of citizens, and the holding of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in a dignified manner. As for the provision regarding the peace memorial ceremony, with demonstrations taking place near the venue, the council unanimously approved the resolution in June 2019 seeking cooperation from citizens for holding the ceremony in a quiet environment.
Shinso Wakabayashi, chair of the review meeting and a city councilor who is a member of the political group Civil Alliance for Peace and Constitutionalism, said, “We included the role of citizens in the draft with the aim of gaining their support, rather than forcing the ordinance on them.” With regard to the description to hold the ceremony in a more dignified environment, Mr. Wakabayashi said, “We used the wording of ‘with citizen understanding and cooperation,’ in consideration of both the wishes of A-bomb victims’ families who want to pray quietly and freedom of speech rights, such as the right to hold demonstrations. We will listen to the opinions of citizens.”
The City Council will continue gathering opinions about the draft resolution until February 15, aiming to propose the draft and pass it by the end of this fiscal year.
Interview with Kazuyuki Tamura, Hiroshima University professor emeritus: Ordinance draft should be explained to and discussed with citizens by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer
The Chugoku Shimbun conducted an interview with Kazuyuki Tamura, 78, professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, a resident of the city’s Higashi Ward, and an expert of administrative law and knowledgeable about the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law. We asked Mr. Tamura about the draft of Hiroshima City’s Peace Promotion Ordinance.
Mr. Tamura:
Establishment of this ordinance is meaningful. It is considered a basic ordinance aimed at defining the basic philosophy of the city’s measures related to peace promotion and providing the legal background for creating an international city of peace and culture, which is an effort promoted by the city. The city will bear responsibility to faithfully execute the provisions laid out in the ordinance. It will lead to development of concrete measures by government agencies and the mayor.
However, some points in the draft should be reviewed. One is that the draft defines both peace and devastation caused by the atomic bombing only in a limited sense.
In Article 2, peace is defined as a state in which nuclear weapons are eliminated and no wars or armed conflicts occur anywhere in the world. Nevertheless, the city’s gender equality promotion ordinance indicates, “It can be said that peace is realized for the first time after everyone is freed from discrimination and oppression.” The city’s basic concept includes decent life for human beings as being part of the definition of peace. Taking such definitions into consideration, the draft should be reviewed.
The atomic bombing devastated many aspects of citizens’ lives. However, that reality has not been fully incorporated into the draft’s preamble. The perspective of promoting relief and support for A-bomb victims is not included, either. There is also no reference to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As measures for peace promotion, the draft describes, “Keeping alive the memories of the A-bomb survivors’ experience of the atomic bombing and conveying them to next generations.” However, the ordinance should be more specific to ensure the understanding that its measures include efforts to preserve and study A-bombed artifacts and ruins, as well as to promote peace education programs.
As for the role of citizens, the ordinance defines the concept as cooperating with the city’s measures. There is a possibility, however, that some citizens may object to the city’s measures. But if the assumption is to provide cooperation as defined in the draft, that would mean that opposing or not cooperating with the measures would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Even though no penalty is imposed for any violations, such provisions should not be incorporated into the ordinance.
Although the ordinance will become the foundation of the city’s measures, the draft lacks balance because it includes detailed descriptions only for the Peace Memorial Ceremony to be performed with dignity. There is a fear that the ordinance might not be as effective as expected if it is established amid citizens’ doubts. I hope the City Council will establish the opportunity to directly explain the ordinance draft to people and show its stance that it hopes to create a better ordinance together with them.
(Originally published on February 10, 2021)
