An international petition campaign to oppose Japan's appointment as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council was launched on February 28 in Los Angeles by organizations in the US, China, North and South Korea, the Philippines, the Netherlands and Japan.

The groups are attempting to obtain 1 million signatures on a petition that will be sent to the UN later this year.

The purpose of the signature drive is to "tell the truth to the world, comfort the souls of World War II victims, prevent historical tragedy from recurring and oppose Japan's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council."

Spokesman Ding Yuan of the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia said that as of March 20, 401,155 signatures had been collected. They expect to have all 1 million by summer.

In addition to the Global Alliance, groups involved in the campaign include San Francisco's Alliance to Preserve the History of WWII in Asia (ALPHA-SF), ALPHA-LA, the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition and the Chinese Association. The activity is organized by the International Solidarity Council.

Campaigner Yeon Jin Jeong said, "So long as different countries and nationalities work together, the signatures of a million petitioners will be strong enough to persuade the UN not to approve Japan's request."

Li Jinfen, head of the Global Alliance, said the signatures will be sent to the US Congress and the White House as well as to the UN when the global body assembles this autumn.

(China.org.cn March 23, 2005)