The student activist group SEALDs, which played a prominent role in protesting against the controversial national security legislation pushed by the Abe administration and advocating constitutionalism, disbanded on Aug. 15.

True to the qualifier "emergency" in its name--Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy-s--the group had said from the start of its emergency action in May last year that it would disband after the Upper House election, which was held July 10.

Protest rallies in front of the Diet building, which typified SEALDs' actions, demonstrated in a readily understandable and cool manner how members of the public might express their opinions rather than through the election process of representative democracy.

The group made enemies, but there is no question that it galvanized not only young people but older citizens as well into active political participation.

SEALDs started a sea change and eventually grew formidable enough to influence political parties--an achievement that is definitely impressive.

A book published by the group states its aim: "We want our society to become a place where every person who is a unique individual can live together with other individuals." This, actually, is one of the fundamental principles of constitutionalism.

Aki Okuda, 24, a co-founder of SEALDs, attended a special Upper House committee meeting last September that deliberated on the national security bill.

There, he appealed to the lawmakers, "I want every one of you esteemed politicians to remain an individual. Please stand up for what you believe is right, have the courage to engage in solo contemplation and act on your own decision."

This did not stop the Diet from adopting the bill. But Okuda's appeal for action based on one's conscience, rather than on what the party or organization says, must have resonated with many citizens.

For the Upper House election, SEALDs formed a citizens federation together with groups of academics and mothers opposed to the national security legislation. And in urging opposition parties to form a unified front, SEALDs was instrumental in ensuring that the opposition parties fielded a unified candidate in every one of the 32 single-seat constituencies.

Even though the election resulted in giving greater power to the forces favoring constitutional revision, it is worth noting that the opposition camp won in 11 single-seat electorates.

SEALDs served as a bridge that united opposition parties, and brought the latter and citizens together.

Having won the Upper House election, the Abe administration is expected to add constitutional amendment onto its political agenda after this autumn. And to keep the administration's excesses in check, collaboration between the opposition camp and citizens will become all the more crucial.

Although SEALDs has disbanded, this does not mean all is finished. In fact, the group's attitude is "when it's over, let's start again."

SEALDs Ryukyu, which is a branch of the group representing Okinawa Prefecture, will remain in action.

Quoting what one member said at a news conference following the announcement of its disbandment: "Our friends ask us if we are really disbanding and what we intend to do from now. But before they ask us, we want them to think about what they themselves want to do."

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 17