Tens of thousands of Japanese protesters gathered around the National Diet in Tokyo on Sunday to oppose Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's attempt to revise the country's pacifist constitution, urging actions to protect Article 9.
According to organizers, about 36,000 people attended the rally near the National Diet building. Protesters held placards reading "No to war," "Do not undermine Article 9" and "Takaichi step down," calling for the protection of Japan's pacifist constitution.
"Because of Article 9 of the Constitution, Japan has not yet gone to war, but some politicians are saying they want to revise Article 9, which makes me uneasy and worried. What I want to express most is my opposition to war," said one protester.
"We absolutely do not want war to happen again. The thought of war possibly breaking out in Japan makes me restless," another protester said.
Japan's Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist constitution because its Article 9 renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits Japan from possessing "war potential," including military forces.
However, Takaichi and other right-wing forces in Japan have long sought to revise Article 9. At a ruling party convention on April 12, Takaichi declared that "the time has come" to reform the Constitution.
Many young people traveled long distances to join the protest, demonstrating their strong opposition to war and military expansion, as well as their desire for deeper cooperation with other Asian countries.
"We should promote friendship between Japan and China, but the Takaichi government seems to dislike China and adopts an aggressive stance, which we cannot tolerate. As a fellow Asian, I believe we should strengthen cooperation," said a protester.
"I oppose war, and also oppose cooperating with the United States or Israel for military expansion, including the import and export of weapons. I believe that Asian countries should strengthen unity and cooperation for the future," another protester said.
Massive protests held in Tokyo against Japanese PM Takaichi's push to revise constitution
Massive protests held in Tokyo against Japanese PM Takaichi's push to revise constitution
