Editor’s note: Although we do not regularly do so, we occasionally will issue statements that may be of professional interest to our members. Those interested in adding their names to the below can contact Tom Ginsburg at tginsburg@uchicago.edu
Statement by constitutional scholars in support of Japanese students and citizens protesting Prime Minister Abe’s reinterpretation of Pacifist Constitution
We, the undersigned professors of public and constitutional law, have closely followed the debates in Japan surrounding constitutional revision and the proposed bills on national security. We recognize that decisions on these momentous issues properly lie with the Japanese people and their representatives, within the constraints of the Constitution of 1946. While we are not in a position to express opinions on the ultimate outcome of these debates, we do believe that for constitutional democracy to flourish, the rights of free expression and association are of paramount importance. In this regard, we express our concern about recent statements from ruling party legislators concerning the media, and we also express our support for the constitutional right of demonstrators to engage in peaceful protest. We are also concerned about the rise of discriminatory language in public discourse. It is our hope and belief that Japan’s postwar constitutionalism, which reflects the efforts of the Japanese people to maintain the rule of law, human rights and a pluralistic democracy, can continue to thrive and flourish for eternity, and we commend those who are exercising their rights to ensure this outcome.
Bruce Ackerman, Yale Law School
Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago
Richard Albert, Boston College
Wen-Chen Chang, National Taiwan University
Andrew Harding. National University of Singapore
Tzong-Li Hsu, National Taiwan University
Cheng-yi Huang, Academica Sinica
David Landau, Florida State University
Sanford Levinson, University of Texas
Yen-Tu Su, Academica Sinica
Taysheng Wang, National Taiwan University
Kevin Tan, National University of Singapore
Jiunn-rong Yeh, National Taiwan University