Cross-Party Group Meets on Eve of Ceremony, Backers Now at 94

The cross-party group (provisional name) seeking to make Arrival Remembrance Day a national holiday met on the evening of the 6th, the day before the ceremony, in a meeting room near the national assembly building. As previously reported, the group had drawn 87 backers at its founding preparatory meeting on September 1; that number has since grown to 94. Secretariat head Tonami Seiichi, representing a bay-area district, said, "Before we get into the substance of a bill, I think it matters more to have as many lawmakers as possible see tomorrow's ceremony with their own eyes." The meeting closed with members confirming they would attend the ceremony together as a group.

The group's stated goal of submitting a bill in next year's ordinary session remains unchanged, as does its target of finalizing a bill outline by the end of the year, both previously reported. "It doesn't feel right for us to over-explain the reasons for a holiday," Tonami said. "First, let's simply witness the day quietly together." He indicated the group would refrain from making statements or displaying banners at tomorrow's ceremony. Members also exchanged views on possible names for next year's bill, though a final decision was put off to a future meeting.