Around 10,000 individuals assembled in front of Japan’s National Diet Building in Tokyo for an anti-war demonstration, opposing what they view as risky policy decisions made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration. The rally, themed “Don’t Let War Happen,” featured attendees holding banners with messages like “No to Lethal Weapons Exports” and “Stop War Profiteering,” while voicing slogans such as “No War,” “No Military Buildup,” and “Protect Peace” to convey their disapproval of the government’s recent actions.
A protester named Matsuzawa expressed concerns about Japan’s increasing militarization under the Takaichi government, pointing to efforts to amend Article 9 of the Constitution and introduce anti-espionage laws. He emphasized worries about the future, stating, “If things continue this way, I don’t think we will be able to leave a peaceful Japan to the next generation,” drawing parallels to pre-World War II developments in the country.
Critics of Japan’s defense policies also highlighted the government’s collaboration with neighboring nations, with Prime Minister Takaichi engaging in discussions with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos to finalize defense agreements, including Japan’s proposed destroyer exports to the Philippines. At the rally, a female protester voiced opposition to Japan’s weapon exports, citing constitutional violations and concerns about escalating regional tensions, advocating for peaceful resolutions through diplomacy.
Coordinated protests took place at approximately 150 locations across Japan on the same day, as reported by Asahi Shimbun. In a similar demonstration held in March, about 8,000 individuals gathered in central Tokyo to denounce the perceived dangerous policies of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government, including missile deployments and efforts to ease lethal arms exports.
