EDITORIAL: Freedom in crisis

Five movie theaters in Tokyo and Osaka that had planned to show Chinese director Li Ying's controversial documentary "Yasukuni" this month all decided to cancel their screenings. While a number of other movie theaters are preparing to show the film in May or thereafter, the cancellations could upset their plans.

Only one of the five movie theaters made no secret of the fact it backed down after it was targeted by right-wing sound trucks and harassing messages on the telephone. The other four explained they were cancelling screenings so as not to stir up trouble or cause inconvenience to patrons.

The feeling of not wanting to be caught up in problems beyond their control is not entirely incomprehensible. But since the film is controversial, that is all the more reason we wanted it to be shown.

The situation reminded us of the case of a Tokyo hotel run by Prince Hotels Inc. that canceled a reservation by the Japan Teachers Union to hold an annual convention for fear of being obstructed by right-wing groups.

If operators of movie theaters and hotels refuse to show films and rent space for meetings on grounds they could invite trouble for customers and neighbors, our cherished right of freedom of expression and speech will begin to shrink. That would be giving in to unreasonable obstruction and harassment.

A society in which people cannot speak or express themselves freely is very unhealthy and oppressive. It was only a little more than 60 years ago that Japan learned this lesson the hard way. Freedom of speech and expression is the foundation that supports democratic societies. Anyone should have the freedom to hear diversified opinions and assertions and be able to discuss them. Such freedom gives rise to energy to create a better society.

However, it does not come without cost. In any age, there are forces that try to violate freedom with violence. Such acts of oppression must be eliminated one by one.

The police also play a major role in protecting the freedom of speech and expression. They should strictly control harassment.

Behind the decision by the five movie theaters to cancel screenings was a move by some Diet members. Lower House member Tomomi Inada of the Liberal Democratic Party and others questioned the propriety of the film receiving public subsidies and subsequently, a special preview was arranged for lawmakers.

Inada issued a statement saying: "Also in order to make it clear that our action is not intended to restrict freedom of expression, we don't want the theaters to cancel the showing." If she really means it, we urge her to take concrete action to support the theaters by broadly calling on the movie theater industry to show the film.

We call on the government and political parties to squarely face the situation through Diet debates and other methods. This is a problem that affects the foundation of our society.

We want movie theaters that are currently preparing to show the documentary to firmly stick to their plans and also hope more theaters will join them. Society as a whole should support them.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 2(IHT/Asahi: April 3,2008)