A group of Japanese people rallied in front of the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday morning to protest against the government's decision to ease arms export rules.
The Japanese government officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday to enable overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities.
The changes have been approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, Kyodo News reported.
"I oppose weapon exports because Japan has a history of inflicting harm on other countries. Although Japan experienced the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it also has a history of invading Asian nations, particularly the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China. Precisely because of such brutal actions in the past, we established the Japanese Constitution with the principle of never waging war again. Therefore, I believe we should protect the constitution," said a protester.
"This is a serious violation of the constitution, absolutely unconstitutional. It's utterly abnormal. How can such a thing be allowed? Why can such a decision be made through a cabinet meeting? I simply cannot understand it. I find it completely unforgivable. Moreover, our voices are being ignored. None of us wants weapon exports, yet the Takaichi administration is relentlessly pushing these measures. I am truly frightened, frightened of my own country's government. This should not be happening," said another protester.
The revisions scrap rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five noncombat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping.
The revision maintains unrestricted exports of non-weapons such as warning and control radar systems, while allowing the export of weapons, including destroyers and missiles, previously prohibited, to countries that have signed agreements with Japan on protecting classified information related to defense equipment and technology.
Kyodo News commented that the changes mark a significant shift in defense policy for a country that has touted itself as a "peace-loving nation" under its war-renouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War II.
"We should prevent the repetition of that painful history. I deeply regret the decision made by the Japanese government today," said a protester.
"The constitution, built upon reflection on past wars, is being trampled upon. I believe this shows that the Japanese government has not truly learned from history," said another protester.
Japanese opposition parties have demanded the withdrawal of the decision on lifting ban on weapon exports.
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of Japan's Social Democratic Party, posted a video on social media to express opposition, saying the lift of the ban based solely on a cabinet decision is absolutely unacceptable.
Takeshi Shina, secretary-general of the Centrist Reform Alliance, said that the government is promoting weapon exports without parliamentary involvement, which could shake the foundations of a peaceful nation.
Taku Yamazoe, policy chief of the Japanese Communist Party and Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya also expressed their opposition to the government decision.
Japanese rally against gov't's decision to ease arms export rules
Japanese rally against gov't's decision to ease arms export rules
