A Japanese civil group attended a meeting with representatives of Japan's Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo on Wednesday morning to demand the Japanese government withdraw the Cabinet's revision concerning lifting the ban on lethal arms exports.
Concerns have raised after the Japanese government officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday, a move which allows the overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities.
The revision scraps rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five non-combat categories, marking a shift in defense policy for a country that has touted itself as a "peace-loving nation" under its war-renouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War II.
During the meeting on Wednesday morning, several representatives of the civil group said that the government's move to lift the ban on lethal arms exports runs counter to its self-proclaimed "dedication to peace," with attendees voicing strong opposition to the decision.
"Being 'a peace-loving nation' has been a major policy that Japan has adhered to under the framework of its constitution since the end of World War II, based on reflection. But now, by lifting the ban on lethal arms exports, Japan is selling lethal weapons abroad, potentially even to countries at risk of war, and doing so for profit nonetheless. This is not in the interests of world peace. It is fueling war. I strongly question and protest the current Japanese government's move," said a representative of the civil group.
"I think that being 'a peace-loving nation' is the most important thing of all. I do not wish to see weapons exported, nor do I want anyone to lose their lives as a result," said another group member.
"I'm absolutely opposed to this. I do not want to be involved in war. Japan has a history of aggression, especially against China. Every year around this time, from late April to May, people come to the Yokohama citizen's center to make the public more aware about what Japan did in the past. Citizens are making these efforts, yet the government is what it is today. We absolutely do not want war - no matter what. And we do not want lethal arms exports either," said another representative.
Japanese civil body meets with gov't representatives to voice opposition to arms export move
Japanese civil body meets with gov't representatives to voice opposition to arms export move
Displaced people from southern Lebanon are returning to their homes as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, while it seems a tremendous task to rebuild ruined homes.
Nearly 38,000 Lebanese homes have been destroyed or damaged since early March in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Besides the southern district of Beirut, Nabateih is not an exception to Israel's heavy bombardment north of the Litani River. People there have been suffering during the war. As the ceasefire came into effect, it seems they will continue to suffer as they rebuild the city.
Fifty percent of all the damaged buildings in Lebanon in this latest conflict are in Nabatieh Province. It stretches from the Israeli border to north of the Litani River, where its capital, Nabatieh, is located.
Fadl Hodroj is fixing a security grille damaged by an Israeli bomb.
"Israel was very aggressive. They bombed a lot of residential buildings. They strike buildings with enough force to damage the entire surroundings, an entire district, or the markets. In all villages, you will find the same kind of destruction. No one else does this except for Israel; their main goal is to harm the people and destroy their livelihood. They think they will force us out of the south, but we will stand strong and rebuild it again and again. In the end, this land is ours," said Fadl Hodroj, a repairman.
Fadl's comments resonate in the streets of this quiet city, which once had a population of 90,000. Although there is a ceasefire, few have returned. Ibrahim Sarhan is one of them.
"The house was a mess, with scattered aluminum and glass. But overall, as long as the building is standing, we thank God. A home is not the walls, but the memories -- images that move with you from one room to the other. A young boy who was just two years old, now he’s 30, 40 or 50. Then his kids now roam between the same walls. This is a family house, just like any other family in the south, it contains warmth. Also, the neighbors stand next to each other during the hard times and help one another," said Ibrahim Sarhan, a Nabatieh resident.
Sarhan texted his mother a picture of her favorite chair and table on the balcony, where she had her morning coffee. He didn't show her these visuals of his best friend spraying two containers of air freshener.
They couldn't dare open the fridge because of the intense smell of rotten meat and poultry, so they threw it away.
"The fridge was always loaded with food because we could have a sudden visit from another family. We would start cooking on the spot and prepare you a hot meal without wasting time running to the store for ingredients. Now, it's all rotten and gone bad. God willing, we will get a new fridge soon," Sarhan said.
More than 7,000 buildings have been either demolished or heavily damaged there, making Nabateih second to Beirut in terms of destruction.
More than a million people have been displaced. The few who still live here are wondering and waiting to see if the 10-day temporary truce will continue.
Displaced Lebanese return home for reconstruction
