More than 10,000 Japanese people gathered in Tokyo Thursday night to protest against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's dangerous policy agenda, including attempts to revise the country's pacifist Constitution and deployment of long-range missiles.
Rallying outside the Second Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives, protesters held placards reading "No War" and "Oppose Constitutional Revision," calling for defending the pacifist Constitution and safeguarding peace.
Japan's Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist Constitution because Article 9 states that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.
Takaichi and other right-wing politicians have long sought to amend Article Nine. The prime minister's recent remarks reaffirming her commitment to constitutional revision have raised widespread concerns in the country.
"I hope she (Takaichi) will first abide by the Constitution. I believe this is the key to keeping Japan at a distance from war. Yet current government policies seem to be edging closer to war. How far we can remain away from war is crucial, and at present this makes me deeply uneasy," said a protester.
"If Takaichi had no intention of waging war, she would not be considering revising Article 9 of the Constitution. What is her goal? I believe it is to enable Japan to initiate war or expand its military in a more aggressive way. That is why she is pushing for constitutional revision," said another protester.
Participants also called for her immediate resignation as prime minister, noting that her policies have eroded the foundation of Japan's postwar "pacifist Constitution," deepened domestic divisions, and heightened international tensions.
"(Her push for constitutional revision) is truly unacceptable. There are many young people here as well, and I think they also have a strong sense of crisis about war. I firmly oppose revising the Constitution," an old lady said at the site.
"She has not shown any willingness to unite the country. That makes me feel she is a prime minister who stirs division. I am very concerned and dissatisfied. I hope she can stop further escalating tensions in East Asia and beyond," said a protester.
Japan's Ministry of Defense recently transported a missile launcher and other equipment for the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile to a Ground Self-Defense Force camp in Kumamoto Prefecture without prior public explanation. The ministry said the system will be formally deployed at the base on March 31.
Targeting the deployments, participants of the gathering said the move ignores public opinion and undermines world peace and stability.
"The Japanese government should not treat its people like fools. I firmly oppose (the deployment of long-range missiles). Okinawa already hosts many military bases, and now there are attempts to build more in places like Kagoshima. This is absolutely unacceptable," said a participant.
"Takaichi continues to propose legislation that makes people's lives harder and push cabinet decisions that harm national interests. Beyond that, she is also trying to promote foreign policies that undermine world peace. I find this unforgivable," another young woman added during the rally.
Over 10,000 Japanese rally in Tokyo to protest against PM's dangerous policies
Over 10,000 Japanese rally in Tokyo to protest against PM's dangerous policies
