Top Court: Juki Net not against the Constitution

I. Top Court: Juki Net not against the Constitution
Kyodo News, March 7, 2008
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080307a1.html

II. There has been an on going dispute about a program called Juki Net, which is a national resident registry network. The program is basically a collection of all citizens’ personal information. People are given a code that connects him or her to their personal information. The ongoing battle is whether or not the program goes against the U.S. constitution. Justice Norio Wakui is trying to convince the court that Juki Net is completely safe and does not interfere with "personal moralities." Some feel that Juki Net is conflicting with the rights of American citizens. Others also feel that the personal information stored in Juki Net can somehow be revealed. The problem has been taken to the Supreme Court who banned the misuse of Juki Net. Many are still not satisfied with the court’s decision, feeling that there are too many risks involved causing something to go wrong.
a. This article relates to the theme, impact of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment because new technology is being created that will have a major effect on citizens worldwide. Juki Net is trying to change the technology and the views of the citizens about the program.
b. There have been many previous court appeals pertaining to the issue with Juki Net. Juki Net got started in 2003 and there have been 4 other cases concerning the subject. Originally, the program was thought to be unconstitutional, later court appeals ruled in favor of it. These hearings took place at Osaka High Court.
c. Although the gender of the writer of the article is not known, a Japanese reporter wrote it. He or she is an insider and is experiencing this issue with the people reading the article.
d. The writer seems to be siding with the people who say that Juki Net is unconstitutional. He or she defends the idea with Article 13 of the constitution, which explains citizen’s rights to their own public welfare. He also says that the defendants, “demanded,” that the Supreme Court banned misuse of Juki Net. He is implying that many were strongly on his side.
e. I would like to hear from an average citizen. It would be helpful to hear his or her thoughts about Juki Net because in the article we are hearing from the extremes of each side.
f. Personally, I think that Juki Net is a very bad idea. Too much information is being held and if there were even an unintentional problem with the system, there would be major chaos as a result.