Demonstrators gathered in front of Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo on Tuesday evening to protest the government's attempts to undermine the country's pacifist constitution through constitutional revision and military expansion policies.
People attending the rally voiced strong opposition to the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and its recent security and defense initiatives.
Protesters held placards reading "Stop constitutional revision and military expansion" and "Do not destroy Article 9," while chanting slogans such as "Stop missile deployment" and "Takaichi must resign."
"One good constitution was finally established for Japan, so I hope it can be followed to keep peace. But the Takaichi administration is already taking Japan down the road to war. If we don't stop it now, I fear it may never be halted again," said a protester.
The participants said that people do not want constitutional amendments, and that the Takaichi government is pushing the agenda without sufficient public consent.
"The administration is trying to amend the constitution, turning Japan step by step into a country that can wage war. It is also pushing this forward piece by piece by revising various laws through decisions made in cabinet meetings. This, in itself, makes me feel a very strong sense of crisis, because Japan is becoming a 'country that can fight'," said a protester.
"The (Takaichi) government has repeatedly made decisions that are illegal and unconstitutional. I think that if (amending the constitution) is not stopped and fails, Japan will head toward war. Since the Takaichi administration took office, everything she has done has been transforming the country into one that can wage war, while also tightening restrictions and control over the public. I think this is extremely dangerous," said another protester.
Japanese activists rally against Takaichi's push to revise pacifist constitution
Japanese activists rally against Takaichi's push to revise pacifist constitution
