Symposium: Dialogue Over Force: Citizens Connecting for Peace in Asia
Eighty years have passed since the end of World War II. A new era of military domination is emerging, with major powers openly prioritizing their own interests. Countries are increasing their military budgets, and Japan is also doubling down on weapons manufacturing and Self-Defense Forces base expansion.
We call on the Japanese government to abandon the path of becoming a military power and instead pursue peace through its own diplomatic initiatives, using “Dialogue Over Force” as our motto. We will work with citizens across Asia, where new flashpoints such as Taiwan are being hyped, to build a strong public opinion in favour of peace. In August 2024, the Housewives’ Association, Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ), and the Korean Dure Consumer Cooperative Federation called for an “Asian Peace Joint Statement,” which was endorsed by 26 organizations in Japan and abroad.
International journalist Chihiro Ito, who has reported on people power in various countries and promoted the world-renowned Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution both domestically and internationally, will give an inspiring talk on how citizens can connect with each other.
Date and Time: 8 August 2025 (Fri) 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Housewives’ Association Plaza F 3F Housewives’ Association Meeting Room / Online Co-hosted
Address: 15 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Access: 1-minute walk from JR Yotsuya Station
● Lecturer Profile
Chihiro Ito
International journalist. As a correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun, he has reported from 84 countries, including Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. He is a member of the Article 9 Association. His publications include “Costa Rica: A Leading Nation in Peace, Environment, and Human Rights Where People Speak of ‘Pure Life,’” “The Oath of Non-War,” and “The Oath of Non-War II”.
Hosted by: Dialogue Over Force Project (Housewives’ Association, Consumers Union of Japan)
●Dialogue Over Force Project
A project by the Housewives’ Association and Consumers Union of Japan. The Japan Housewives’ Association and CUJ issued a joint statement by consumer organizations titled “We, as consumers, demand a peaceful society that values life and livelihood, and oppose the possession of enemy base attack capabilities (counterattack capabilities) and the increase in defense spending” in response to the crisis posed by the revision of the three security documents in December 2022, which would lead to the possession of enemy base attack capabilities—a violation of Japan’s Constitution—and the doubling of military spending under the guise of defense spending.
The statement garnered the support of 96 organizations. Subsequently, to prevent Asia from becoming a battlefield again, in August 2024, we jointly issued the “Asia Peace Joint Statement” and are calling for support from consumer and citizen groups both domestically and internationally. As of June 2025, 26 organizations from Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and New Zealand have endorsed the statement.
In April 2025, the “Dialogue Over Force Project” was launched, which, in addition to promoting the Asia Peace Joint Statement, conducts protest activities and boycotts targeting weapons manufacturing and export companies.
Information in Japanese here