Demonstrators called for the defence of Japan’s pacifist Constitution and urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to step down….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Tens of thousands of Japanese citizens joined a major protest in Tokyo against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government, with demonstrators criticising its approach to Japan’s wartime history and what they described as a growing push towards military expansion.
According to organisers, about 15,000 people attended the demonstration in person, while another 25,000 participated online on Wednesday evening.
One of the main themes of the rally was a call for politicians to take responsibility for Japan’s wartime past. Protesters carried banners reading “Oppose military expansion” and chanted slogans including “Defend the pacifist Constitution” and “Takaichi, step down now.”
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of Japan’s Social Democratic Party, criticised Takaichi’s remarks at the national memorial service for the war dead on August 15.
Fukushima said Takaichi had made no mention of “reflection” on Japan’s past wars of aggression, according to Xinhua news agency.
She also criticised what she described as Takaichi’s ambiguous remarks on Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles during commemorations of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki earlier this month.
Fukushima said the Prime Minister had failed to clearly state that Japan would continue to uphold the principles.
“This is a very serious issue,” she said.
Kiyomasa Komesu, a protester from Okinawa, said the government was pursuing a course of military expansion and argued that Japan’s current policies showed “a strong belligerent streak.”
Another protester, who identified himself as Sakuma, said he opposed a series of measures introduced by the government, including the establishment of a national intelligence agency.
“The sound of war is approaching,” he said.
Kojima, a teacher who travelled from Kanagawa Prefecture to attend the rally, said she was concerned that some Japanese companies were also directing funds and resources towards sectors such as drones and weapons.
The protests come amid a series of defence policy changes under the Takaichi government. According to the report, the government has continued to increase defence spending, eased restrictions on exports of lethal weapons and pushed ahead with the deployment of intermediate- and long-range missiles.
It has also expanded offensive military capabilities and sought changes to Japan’s pacifist Constitution.
At the same time, concerns have continued over Takaichi’s position on the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, with the Prime Minister repeatedly avoiding a clear commitment on whether Japan will continue to uphold them.
The developments have fuelled concern among peace groups and sections of the Japanese public who fear the country is moving away from its post-war pacifist stance.
The protest in Tokyo brought together citizens and political activists opposed to the government’s approach to defence and its handling of Japan’s wartime history, with demonstrators calling for greater reflection on the country’s past and continued adherence to its pacifist principles.
