A group of Japanese citizens gathered on the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo on Thursday to protest against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi administration's efforts to revise the constitution, increase defense spending, and ease restrictions on weapons exports.
Many participants at the rally held signs and chanted anti-war slogans, demanding that the Japanese government halt its push for constitutional revision.
"I believe the Takaichi administration is pushing constitutional revision in preparation for war. Even if war ultimately does not break out, the peaceful and stable life we have enjoyed so far could still be taken away through conscription and the diversion of resources into war. I hope to prevent this from happening," said a protester.
"I absolutely oppose it. It is outrageous. They are trying to turn Japan into a country capable of waging war. They are also trying to revise the constitution in a negative direction, implementing policies that abandon vulnerable groups and expanding military armaments. I oppose all of this," said another protester.
Some participants expressed concerns about the Takaichi administration's policies of constitutional revision and military expansion, stating that Japan should avoid repeating its history of war.
"I believe the Takaichi administration is revising the constitution in a negative direction. To make constitutional revision easier to pass, the administration has taken certain actions. For example, defense spending hits a new historical high every year. Rather than spending tax money on these matters, I would rather see it used to safeguard people's peaceful lives. Japan has a history of launching wars of aggression in the past, so I believe we must never repeat such mistakes. Therefore, no matter what, I hope to stop this from happening," said a protester.
Japanese rally against gov't push to revise pacifist constitution
