Japanese civic groups rallied in Tokyo on Thursday against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's push to strengthen Japan's military capabilities and revise its constitution, warning that changes to the country's security policy could set it on a path toward war.
The rally took place outside the House of Representatives Second Members' Office Building.
One of the participants voiced strong opposition to Japan's deployment of long-range missiles at two Ground Self-Defense Force bases in March.
"I think Japan has long gone beyond the limits of its exclusively defense-oriented policy. The deployment of missiles this year -- long-range missiles -- should stop," the rally participant said.
Takaichi's government plans to revise Japan's three key security documents by the end of the year: National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program.
Another participant expressed concern that such developments were expanding to the education sector.
"We're worried about the current push to revise the Constitution and the idea of turning Japan into a country capable of waging war. These dangerous developments are increasingly finding their way into education. That's why it's all the more important for us to speak out now," the rally participant said.
Article 9 of Japan's constitution renounces war and the threat or use of force to settle international disputes. A third participant argued that revising the security documents could pave the way for constitutional change.
"Having military power and pushing to revise the Constitution both lead toward war. War must be avoided at all costs. We must stop constitutional revision and oppose military buildup. Even with Article 9 still in place, revising the three security documents is, in the end, paving the way to change the Constitution and turn Japan into a country capable of waging war and using force. We firmly oppose that," the rally participant said.
The potential cost of a military buildup was another concern at the rally.
"I think revising the three security documents will drive military spending even higher and put more pressure on people's daily lives. But the fundamental question is whether a continuing arms race can really preserve peace. We need to take action to address these problems and seek a solution through dialogue," another rally participant said.
Tokyo protesters rally against Takaichi's military buildup, constitutional revision attempts
