94 Lawmakers From Holiday Bill Group Attend Ceremony Together, No Banners
All 94 members of the cross-party group seeking to make Arrival Remembrance Day a national holiday attended the September 7 ceremony together, without banners or remarks, as previously planned. Convener Seiichi Tonami said only, "I decided today would be a day for listening."
The stance the group set at its meeting on the 6th — attending together with no remarks or banners — held on the 7th as well. All 94 lawmakers entered through the same route as ordinary attendees and sat together in one section of the guest seating, with no flags or banners raised during the ceremony. Afterward, convener Seiichi Tonami told reporters only, "I decided today would be a day for listening," and avoided any specific comment on the bill's timeline.
As previously reported, the group has gathered 94 supporters with the goal of submitting a bill at next year's ordinary Diet session, with a bill outline to be finalized by the end of the year. Asked for his impression after the ceremony, Tonami said, "I didn't decide anything today. But I think today gave me a chance to confirm again how I feel about this day."
