Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Several groups demonstrated in front of the headquarters of Itochu aviation company in Tokyo on Friday to protest the company’s dealings with Israel. They also called for a boycott of Israel in a campaign initiated by pacifist and anti-gun collectives.

Citing Japan’s “peace constitution,” they denounced the agreement between Itochu aviation, the Israeli company Elbit that specializes in the production of components for the defense industry, and Nippon Aircraft.

The three-way deal was reached in August in the presence of the Israeli ambassador to Japan. The demonstrators wanted Itochu to break its military technology exchange contract and referred to Puma’s decision to end its sponsorship of the Israeli football team, which, they said, was the result of pressure from protests.

A Japanese present at the demonstration said that Itochu was a company that many young people wanted to work for because of the favorable working conditions and high salaries, but they were not aware of its military collaborations with foreign powers.

During the recent “Tears for Gaza” campaign, demonstrators unfurled a banner representing tears of blood, symbols of the Israeli army’s bombing of Palestinian civilians and Hamas fighters. Demonstrators also read out the names of some of the Palestinians who lost their lives during the bombings.

The Elbit company is a major contributor to the Israeli army. The commercial agreement between Elbit and Itochu goes against the pacifist values ​​of Japan as well as the sustainable charter of the Itochu Group.

Since the government of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, Japanese companies have been able to collaborate in the military field for the exchange of technologies despite Japan’s constitution prohibiting participation in conflicts.