3 professors who were not appointed Ask for government explanation to hear from the opposition October 5, 19:01
Opposition parties individually heard from the three university professors who had been postponed over the appointment of some of the new member candidates of the Science Council of Japan.
The professor asked the government for an explanation, saying that "academic and research activities would be hindered."
Opposition parties, such as the Constitutional Democratic Party, met individually with three of the six professors who were not appointed and heard their opinions.
Professor Ryuichi Ozawa "Academic and research activities are hindered"
Of these, Professor Ryuichi Ozawa of the Jikei University School of Medicine, who specializes in constitutional law, said, "Rejection of appointment is also the method of the Science Council of Japan Law. Unless the reason is clarified, when and when I don't know if such a thing will happen, and the academic and research activities of researchers will be hindered. "
After this, Mr. Ozawa told reporters, "If I was an expert, I once said at the central hearing of the House of Representatives that the security legislation was'unconstitutional'." If so, it is unacceptable and a serious violation of academic freedom. "
Professor Takaaki Matsumiya "Major Problems Related to the Significance of the Science Council"
Professor Takaaki Matsumiya of Ritsumeikan University Graduate School, which specializes in criminal law, said, "This issue of refusal to appoint is a big issue related to the significance of the existence of the Science Council. However, the government has not explained the reason at all, and Prime Minister Kan said. I haven't even held a press conference. I want you to hold a conference properly. I feel that the government's response does not seem to understand the law. "
Professor Masanori Okada "Chilling effect, naturally works"
Professor Masanori Okada of Waseda University, who specializes in administrative law, said, "It seems that Japanese academics themselves have been attacked and the outer moat has been filled. What kind of impact will the exclusion of six people have on Japanese academics in the future? However, something like the atrophy effect naturally works. "
The opposition party plans to strengthen its pursuit of the government in the Diet, etc., based on the hearing on the 5th.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato "You don't have to be appointed as recommended."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the afternoon, "The members of the Science Council of Japan are special-purpose national civil servants. It has not changed that the prime minister, who has the right to appoint, appoints under his responsibility. In addition, in the composition of appointing members based on the recommendation from the Science Council, we have responded in light of the relationship with the Constitution. "
On top of that, in 2018, it was decided that the prime minister, who is the appointed person, does not have to appoint as recommended, considering that the right to appoint public employees is a right peculiar to the people. It was done. "
Secretary General Koike "Requesting clarification of the problem and appointment of 6 people"
At a press conference, the Communist Party's secretary general, Koike, said, "Since I have done something completely different from the previous Diet response, I can only say that I have changed the interpretation of the law. It is extremely important for academic freedom and the state of law. It's a problem. I would like to thoroughly clarify this problem, including the closing examination, and ask for the appointment of six people who were rejected. "
Protest statement by film directors calling for withdrawal of appointment
On this issue, volunteers such as directors and screenwriters involved in the film issued a protest statement calling for withdrawal, saying, "It is a violation of freedom of expression and a clear challenge to freedom of speech."
The protest statement was issued jointly on the 5th by 22 people involved in the film, including film director Hirokazu Koreeda and screenwriter Junichi Inoue.
"It should not be the case that the Prime Minister rejects the candidates recommended by the Science Council of Japan," he said in a statement. "This problem is not limited to a violation of academic freedom. It is a violation of freedom of expression and a clear challenge to freedom of speech. "
"We are deeply concerned about this issue, angry, and see it as our own problem, and raise a voice of protest here. We strongly protest the personnel intervention at the Science Council of Japan and withdraw it. I urge you to explain the process leading up to this decision. "