Japanese civic groups hold anti-war exhibition in Tokyo

Multiple civic groups held an anti-war exhibition in Tokyo on Saturday, calling on Japanese society to stick to peace and oppose the Takaichi government's military buildup and its attempt to revise the country's pacifist constitution.

The exhibition showed historical files on Japan's war of aggression during World War II.

The organizer expressed hope that the exhibits would help the Japanese people understand history correctly and prevent Japan from taking the path of war again.

"I believe it is crucial to view history correctly, especially when it comes to learning about historical truths. There are now different opinions about the history, and there are people who are spreading misinformation that distort history. I think it is still very important to dig deep into what actually happened in history. Remarks by our lawmakers carry great influence, so from this perspective, I hope they would carefully reflect on Japan's history before making comments to the public," said Ootani Takashi, an organizer representative.

"I don't know what's going on with the current government, which has always taken actions that are going in the direction of war. So in this regard, we hope we could help stop it, even if our strength is small," said Yamamoto Hiroshi, another organizer representative.

The visitors said they oppose the Takaichi government's moves, including pushing to revise the three non-nuclear principles, increasing defense spending, and understating Japan's history of aggression.

"It is very important to learn about history. The history of war is fading out of the daily lives of Japanese people. I hope more people can learn about war and come to understand war through opportunities like this exhibition," said a visitor.

"Japan's military budget must not be increased. It must be cut. These funds should be used to improve our lives. We must let more Japanese citizens speak out," said another visitor.

"In her speech at the ceremony on Aug. 15, Takaichi didn't use the word 'reflection' (on history), and that has become a topic among the public. Paying no attention to the sufferings of Japanese people and focusing solely on advancing in the direction of war, such a prime minister is really outrageous," another visitor said.

Japanese civic groups hold anti-war exhibition in Tokyo

During the National Day holiday, a lively shaomai food festival has drawn large crowds to Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, with residents and visitors savoring the traditional delicacy and trying their hand at making it themselves.

Boasting a history of at least 700 years, shaomai is a beloved steamed dumpling known for its cylindrical shape and pleated, flower-like top. The traditional craft of making it is officially recognized as an Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region-level intangible cultural heritage item.

The festival kicked off on October 1 at Saishang Old Street, Hohhot's most vibrant and bustling commercial hub, blending tradition with innovation. Alongside classic mutton-filled shaomai, vendors are introducing creative new flavors to cater to diverse tastes. To amplify the celebration, local authorities have partnered with e-commerce platforms and businesses to distribute consumption vouchers across more than 60 restaurants, driving a sharp rise in foot traffic and dining revenue throughout the district.

"It really brought the holiday spirit to life. I hope the aroma of our shaomai travels far and wide, drawing friends from all over the country to visit us in Hohhot," said Mr. Zhang, a local resident.

The three-day event immersed visitors in a mix of food, culture, shopping and entertainment, injecting fresh momentum into the local holiday economy.

"The Shaomai Festival is a major part of our holiday events, attracting huge crowds of residents and tourists to come and taste the food. Foot traffic and dining spending have grown significantly compared with the same period last year. As a signature local delicacy, shaomai is truly fueling a booming holiday economy in Hohhot," said Xue Jianli, an official from the Hohhot Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio and Television.

Shaomai Festival whets appetites, boosts holiday spending in Inner Mongolia