Legal groups in Japan held a study session in Tokyo on Monday, where participants voiced concern over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s drive for constitutional revision and military expansion.
Participants urged upholding Japan’s pacifist constitution and opposed Takaichi’s policies of constitutional revision, rising defense spending, and expanded military deployments.
"I believe the constitution should not be amended. If the constitution is to be amended in any case, it should mean to benefit the nation and its people. However, the government now wants to change the constitution to one that makes it easier for them to control the people, therefore I completely oppose it," said a participant at the meeting.
"Seeing the Takaichi government's significant increase in defense spending and its continuous deployment of missiles across Japan, I truly believe they are genuinely preparing for war. These moves make me feel that Japan seems to be retracing the path it took when it started wars before," said another participant.
Participants also expressed their desire to avoid war and their hope that Japan could maintain friendly relations with its neighboring countries.
"My grandfather lived through war, so I really don't want to experience the same thing again. And I hope that [Japan] is able to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries," said a young participant.
Japan legal groups warn against defense buildup, constitutional changes
Japan legal groups warn against defense buildup, constitutional changes
