Crowds of Japanese residents gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense Monday evening to condemn the government ignoring public opinion in advancing construction of the U.S. military base in Henoko, and protest against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's military expansion attempts.
"I feel deeply uneasy, as missile bases are being built across Japan, but many Japanese people are not clear about that. Without us even realizing it, the country is being pushed toward war. Our lives are increasingly difficult with rising schooling expenditure and falling social security, but people are still unaware of it. The country's defense spending keeps growing, and I find that truly terrifying," said a protester.
"Peace cannot be created by relying on weapons or military strength. I firmly oppose the tough military expansion route of the government led by Takaichi," said another protester.
"The government appears to be striving to boost the economy so as to lift the approval rate. However, the essence of its economic policies is actually to seek benefits for the military-industrial sector by expanding the market for arms exports. That could fundamentally alter Japan's economic structure and even push the country towards a fiscal collapse," said a participant of the rally.
Others at the rally said that Takaichi's erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan are dangerous and provoke tensions in the region.
"I don't know Takaichi's aim in saying the war-provoking remarks. I simply don't see the point of that. I want Takaichi to resign immediately," said a protester.
Japanese protest against PM Takaichi's military expansion attempts
