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INTEREST: Hayao Miyazaki Pens Essay on Japanese Constitutional Reform

The Japanese constitution in fact has has quite robustly worded protection of expression clause.

Quote:

Article 21. Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press and all other forms of expression are guaranteed. No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of communication be violated.

The courts have presumably construed this narrowly and declined to protect what might be considered obscenity as speech, which would be in line with the general habit of Japanese courts not to contravene the government.

Article 12. The freedoms and rights guaranteed to the people by this Constitution shall be maintained by the constant endeavor of the people, who shall refrain from any abuse of these freedoms and rights and shall always be responsible for utilizing them for the public welfare.

Article 13. All of the people shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs.

Article 25. All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living.
In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health.

Article 29. The right to own or to hold property is inviolable. Property rights shall be defined by law, in conformity with the public welfare.