On the evening of the 19th, Japanese citizens held a rally in front of the National Diet Building in Tokyo to protest the Takai Sanae government's undermining of the Peace Constitution.
According to the organizers, about 10,000 people participated in the rally. On site, protesters held placards with slogans such as "Stop Constitutional Revision and Military Expansion" and "Do Not Undermine Article 9 of the Constitution," chanting slogans like "Stop Missile Deployment" and "Takai Step Down," strongly protesting against the Takai Sanae government's attempts to revise the constitution and undermine the Peace Constitution.
Protester Yukio Hoshino told the media that people do not wish for constitutional revision, and that Takai Sanae and others are unilaterally pushing forward with it. “So many people have gathered here to protest. We hope the government will reconsider.”
Ryosuke Tanji, who joined the rally, said: "We absolutely must not let war happen. Japan has committed terrible acts in the past – perhaps many Japanese people are gradually forgetting, but the more I learn, the more I feel we absolutely cannot let such things happen again."
Hiroshi Onishi, Honorary Professor at Keio University, stated at the scene that the recent moves by the Japanese government to expand armaments and military capabilities violate the pacifist principles of Japan’s constitution and must be stopped.
According to Japanese media reports on the 18th, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has drafted a proposal for revising the "Three Security Documents," suggesting the strengthening of air defense systems and sustained combat capabilities, as well as the early deployment of submarines equipped with long-range missiles and next-generation propulsion systems to enhance the ability to strike enemy bases.
Japan's current constitution was enacted in 1947. Article 9 stipulates that Japan "renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes forever," and "will not maintain land, sea, or air forces or any other war potential, nor recognize the right of belligerency of the state." For this reason, it is also known as the Peace Constitution.
Takai Sanae and Japanese right-wing forces have long attempted to revise Article 9 of the Constitution. This year, Takai Sanae has repeatedly expressed her desire for constitutional revision, continuously arousing strong concern and opposition among the Japanese public and various sectors.