JAPAN-POLITICS/STUDENTS-HUNGER Japanese students on hunger strike against security bill

Record ID: 142208

  • Title: JAPAN-POLITICS/STUDENTS-HUNGER Japanese students on hunger strike against security bill
  • Date: 28th August 2015
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 21, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF STUDENTS PROTESTING IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEDKJZPWDQCHGI39JSP1METZKJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Four university students went on hunger strike in front of the parliament on Friday (August 28) against a legislation that could see troops sent to fight abroad for the first time since World War Two.
    The four students - Kei Ida (19 years old), Kenji Shimane (23 years old), Daisuke Motoki (22 years old), and Shotaro Kimoto (19 years old) - met at a protest against the security bill held in front of parliament earlier this year, organized by the student group SEALDs (Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy).
    They aim to refrain from eating until either the security bill is scrapped or Prime Minister Shinzo Abe steps down, Ida has said. The four will only ingest water, salt, or sports drinks. They began their hunger strike around 14:00 local (0500 GMT) on Thursday (August 27).
    "Even though there were that many people protesting (in mid-July against the passing of the security bill), and the parliament's power isn't enough to stop these bills. It might not be the best option, but within a limited amount of ways we can protest, we chose to hunger strike," Ida said.
    A supporter of the hunger strike, 21 year old Ryotaro Yasui, checks their heartrate, body temperature, and blood pressure at the end of each day to determine whether they are healthy enough to continue their hunger strike. If deemed to be in critical health condition, the hunger strike will be stopped, Ida said.
    "Japan indirectly supported the Iraq war, and I think the security bills will allow Japan to further support other wars," Shimane said during his hunger strike.
    Ida said that this was a non-violent protest.
    Japanese government spokesman commented on their protest.
    "We are extremely disappointed that they (protesters) are spreading the message that the draft is being resurrected," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
    Students, who have been demonstrating nearly weekly against the bills, have vowed to call for a major rally on Sunday (August 30) . They say they expect over 100,000 people to gather around parliament at the weekend.
    Public angst over the defence bills has eroded support for Abe, with polls showing those who oppose him outnumbering his supporters.
    Advocates of the security bills argue the changes are needed to help cope with the threat of an increasingly assertive China.
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