Request for Approval

 Kyoto University is a global community where people of different nationalities, races, genders, religions, ideas and beliefs gather together to engage in research, learning, and education.

 On the 31st of May 2015, people sharing the same aspirations towards peace have gathered in Kyoto University to send out this declaration to the world.

 With war and prejudice increasingly prevalent, it is vital that we, as students and citizens, create peace with our own hands, not entirely relying on the states.

 This declaration seeks concrete action from the Japanese government and Kyoto University to disinvest from militarization and war making.   This declaration, along with the signatures of agreement that have been collected, will be sent to both parties.

 Regardless of affiliation, your support in this effort to hinder the pro-war policies will be greatly appreciated.

Our Peace Declaration from Kyoto University

 To live in peace without the threat of violence and discrimination – this is a universal hope of humanity. But now, the world is under threat. As we have observed in the Charlie Hebdo shooting, incidents regarding the Islamic State and the crisis in Ukraine, tensions between different races, religions and states continue to intensify. These contentions have given rise to wars. Under the name of the “War on Terrorism”, a significant number of people around the globe continue to be driven out of their homes and their lives under threat.

 In Japan, the Abe administration is upholding what it calls “active pacifism” and is aiming to convert Japan into a military power, by making considerable amendments to the constitution, and aligning Japan with the coalition fighting the “War on Terrorism”. Behind this lies a strong sense of prejudice, an example of which can be seen in the surge of hate speech throughout Japan. Additionally, at the university level, an agreement has been voiced to cooperate in warfare. One example of this is in the form of arms development. The essentiality of self-governance at  the University level, realized from lessons learned from WWII, is now crumbling.

 Wars and discrimination continues unabated and peace is under attack. It is vital for us to form a resistance against this situation and actively rebuild peace starting at the grassroots level. We are committed to achieving peace through relationships built through dialogue, not through force or discrimination.

 As the first step, we ask the government and university to carry out the following. 

To the Japanese government:

 Withdraw the Cabinet decision regarding the approval of the right to collective self-defense.

 Refrain from enacting any treaty or agreement of any sort that would enable military action abroad.

 Observe Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and promote peaceful contributions to the international community through actions other than military force. 

To Kyoto University:

 Express opposition to the pro-war policies of the government.

 Clearly state opposition towards any form of cooperation in warfare, including arms development.

---------------------------------------------------------------------