Dear People of the World (formerly Dear Americans)

Japan is one of the most democratic nations in the world.

In mid-May, Japanese naval self-defense force (actually Navy) guarded Japan's NGO, PEACE BOAT's cruise ship in Somali coastal areas.

This NGO is run by peace activist group and manages voyages on chartered ship.

This time their ship was on voyage of round-the-world trip. They had asked the Navy to protect their ship while it passed Somali coast.

Strangely, they protest Japanese government's decision to dispatch the navy to the Somali coast.

They publicly announced the opposition. They say they can protect themselves, otherwise Japan's coast guard should protect them.

 

But the travel agency which managed this voyage asked the Defense Ministry to guard the ship for the safety of the passengers.

Then the NGO met public criticism because their publicly announced stance and what they actually chose to do was different.

The organization has always been criticized by conservatives because their activity is too idealistic like defending Article 9 of the constitution which bans the state's possessing of military force. They have done a big campaign of "Protect Article 9" like religious organization's convention.   

They believe Article 9 can protect themselves from bad militias. They believe they can always make peace by negotiation.

No arm force on the earth. But the reality was they were just hypocrite. They were like travel agent group which uses PEACE as ad copy.

 

Well, I know they have the right to be protected by the navy. The passengers are Japanese citizens. That is the navy's duty.

I am very proud of our navy which does that. Japan is democratic nation so even those who oppose the government decision can have the right to be protected.

Thanks for PEACE BOAT, it was proved how our country is democratic nation.

We are in a free society. We can say whatever we want, and can go wherever we want with the protection of the government.

Of course we can. We are tax payers. The sovereignty resides in the people.

And we are a rich country, too. This round-world vovage cost 1.5 million yen (11,000 euros, 10,000 US$) or even cheaper if you got board on it as volunteer staff.

The passengers could have great time having parties, enjoying fashion shows, singing, and discussion of the world peace while being protected by the navy, whom they don't like. They are protected from the pirates they think the consequence of the poverty rich nations caused and whom they think should be helped by their government's aid rather than the navy.

 

How lucky I am to be born as Japanese citizen!