A group of Japanese citizens held a rally in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on Saturday to oppose the government's military expansion drive and discussions aimed at revising the nation's "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."
"The current government is continuously pushing forward militarization. The taxes we pay are also being increasingly used for war preparations. I still hope this money can truly be used for people's livelihoods, rather than turning Japan into a 'death merchant' that earns profits by exporting weapons," one participant said.
"I believe the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' must be upheld. Nuclear weapons must not be allowed to enter Japan. The current Liberal Democratic Party government itself is continuously tilting toward war. It is precisely because of this that more and more citizens across Japan are standing up to voice their opposition," said another.
Some participants also called on the country to confront historical issues and reflect on its history of aggression.
"The current government is continuously expanding military spending. Japan once invaded other Asian countries. Japan should have reflected on this, yet it is now moving in the opposite direction. For example, denying and distorting the 'Nanjing Massacre,' and even affirming past aggression -- such actions are absolutely intolerable. I hope Japan can face this period of history more squarely and earnestly confront the past," said another protester.
Japanese citizens rally against military expansion, nuclear policy revisions
