Some Japanese rallied in Tokyo on Friday to protest against the ruling coalition's proposal to ease export rules on lethal arms, calling the move unconstitutional and dangerous.
The protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a leading Japanese industrial firm, to voice their opposition to the proposal, which was submitted by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, earlier that day.
According to Japanese media reports, the proposal seeks to allow, in principle, the transfer of lethal weapons such as fighter jets and destroyers and calls for removing restrictions that currently limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five noncombat purposes.
The proposal also left room for arms exports to countries engaged in active conflict under what the Japanese government defines as "special circumstances."
Based on the proposal, the government plans to revise the implementation guidelines for the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" as early as this spring.
Many rally participants said this major shift in security policy is unsettling and in violation of Japan's pacifist constitution.
"I think it clearly violates Japan's constitution. Besides, Japan has always emphasized its so-called 'exclusively defense-oriented policy,' but such practices go against this principle," said a protester.
"To be honest, I feel terribly uneasy. It is because we believe Japan must never become a country that starts wars as it once did that we have drawn up the country's constitution and worked hard all along to abide by it. However, some people are now turning a blind eye to those who've always safeguarded the constitution, by arbitrarily pushing for policies that could undermine the country. This, I believe, absolutely does not reflect the public opinion. Therefore, such moves must never be allowed," another said.
Some criticized the Takaichi administration for not heeding to the Japanese people's continued call for peace.
"I'm firmly opposed to the move. Ever since the Takaichi administration came to power, the Japanese government seems to have suddenly freed from all the restrictions, doing things that were once been prohibited without any hesitation. I think those in the government are not seeking to keep Japan off the path of war, but seemingly heading in the direction of dragging the people into the war, which frightens me tremendously," said a third protester.
Japanese protest against arms exports in Tokyo
