Japanese citizens rallied in front of the Second Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Thursday to protest the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion.
The Japanese government has accelerated the implementation of several policies that are seen as breaking the framework of its pacifist constitution, which has drawn concern and dissatisfaction from some Japanese people.
"I am really angry. The time given the Diet for deliberations is very short. Issues concerning the country's fundamental interests, like the Constitution, should be fully discussed. But that is completely not the case now. Instead, there is a trend of making decisions directly through cabinet meetings. I am very worried about it. I even feel frightened," said one protester.
"The so-called 'national intelligence bureau' and the 'anti-spy law' coupled with it are essentially designed to crack down on anti-war movements. So is 'emergency clause' -- it is a bill aimed at hollowing out the pacifist constitution and paving the way for war. I think it must be resolutely stopped," said another rally participant.
People are also upset by Takaichi's administration for overlooking livelihood issues.
"People's daily life is already becoming increasingly hard, yet they simply ignore it. And they are securing budgets to prepare for war and even trying to change the constitutional framework. They are doing something utterly outrageous," said still another protester.
Tokyo rally protests constitutional revision, military expansion
