Thousands Protest in Tokyo Against Takaichi Government's Policies

Tokyo, May 30 (IANS) Around 10,000 people gathered in front of Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo for an anti-war rally. The rally was held under the theme 'Don't Let War Happen' and saw participants holding banners and chanting slogans to express opposition to the government's recent policy direction.The protesters were against the government's efforts to revise Article 9 of the Constitution, push anti-espionage legislation, and export lethal weapons. They also opposed the government's military expansion and security cooperation with neighboring countries. One protester, Matsuzawa, expressed his concern that Japan is becoming increasingly militarized and militaristic. He said, 'My child is in elementary school. If things continue this way, I don't think we will be able to leave a peaceful Japan to the next generation.'The government has been pushing military expansion at home and security cooperation with neighboring countries. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks with visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, during which the two sides reached agreements on defense issues, including the export of destroyers to the Philippines. The protesters strongly oppose Japan's export of lethal weapons, arguing that such actions violate the Constitution. They warned that these moves would heighten regional tensions and expressed hope that diplomatic efforts could bring peace to Asia.Coorordinated protest events were held at around 150 locations across Japan on the same day. This is not the first time the government has faced opposition to its policies. In March, around 8,000 people had gathered in central Tokyo to protest the government's policies, including the deployment of missiles and the push to ease lethal arms exports.