Majority of A-bomb survivors against changing war-renouncing Article 9

[yuiyoshida]

OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Nearly 70 percent of atomic bomb survivors in Japan are against amendment of the Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9, with many thinking that adhering to it will keep the country out of war, a Kyodo News survey showed Saturday.

Reflecting growing concerns among the survivors over the lack of progress toward achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons, around 80 percent of respondents also said they fear nuclear weapons might be used in the current international situation.

Questionnaires were sent in May or later to about 4,800 people who had been exposed to radiation due to the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years ago, receiving valid responses from about 1,150 people.

On changing Article 9, which prohibits the use of force to settle international disputes, 15.6 percent said they support the idea, with many of them feeling there is a need for Japan to respond to contingencies in areas surrounding the nation, while a total of 16.2 percent said they "do not know" or did not give an answer.

more.. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150802p2g00m0dm010000c.html

[davidpdx]

1. They should be since they have seen the consequences of an atomic bomb being used in war

The sad thing is the conservative government in Japan doesn't care. Abe is hellbent on changing the constitution and starting an arms race in Asia. Once Japan starts building up weapons, I can tell you Korea will be asking why they can't as well. And nothing ever good comes of that.