Japanese citizens staged a protest rally in front of the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Thursday evening, voicing strong opposition to the government's plan to scrap restrictions on the export of lethal weapons.
The demonstration came as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is considering revising the implementation guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology in the near future.
Participants expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over the Takaichi administration's move to loosen constraints on lethal weapons exports.
"Taxpayers' money is used to manufacture weapons that might end up killing people in other countries. Once exported, there is no way to determine where the weapons go and how they will be used," said a protester.
"Once the weapons are exported, there is no way to control their ultimate usage. The Japanese government uses taxpayers' money for research and development, while enterprises then sell these weapons. These actions are inherently unreasonable," said another protester.
Still another protester argued that easing restrictions on lethal weapons exports would clearly violate Japan's Constitution, adding that the current administration appears to have no intention of adhering to constitutional principles.
"The constitution should not be revised. Japan's current Constitution is free from flaws and has never disturbed people's life. On the contrary, it is outside the Constitution that problems are rising. For instance, pension benefits for us housewives were cut. I myself have suffered from illness but the funds available for surgery and cancer treatment are being reduced. I feel angry with these ever worsening systems," said another protester.
Japan's current defense equipment export guidelines limit defense equipment exports to five noncombat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping. However, the Takaichi administration is considering removing these restrictions, in principle allowing exports of lethal equipment such as fighter jets and destroyers, to countries engaged in armed conflict under "special circumstances."
The proposed shift has sparked widespread concern and criticism across Japan, with opponents warning that it could mark a significant departure from the country's long-standing pacifist stance.
Japanese rally against lifting ban on lethal arms exports
Japanese rally against lifting ban on lethal arms exports
