TOKYO: Dozens of the Free-Palestine movement staged a protest against the American Embassy in Tokyo on Saturday morning, denouncing what they termed the military and financial support President Joe Biden’s administration provided to Israel that allowed it to continue its genocide against Gaza.

Japanese nationals, as well as Arab, American, and European residents of Japan, formed a line on the sidewalk facing the embassy, carrying banners and shouting slogans to show their support for the liberation of Palestine and to express their anger at the American decision-makers, saying, “Shame on the USA.” 

The demonstrators called for a “Ceasefire Now,” “Free Palestine,” and “Palestine will be Free, from the River to the Sea.” Portraits of President Biden, with his hands tainted with blood, were held by some Japanese protesters. One banner said, “Is Money and Natural Gas More Important Than Human Lives?”. Other banners said “Boycott USA” and “Boycott Racist Apartheid Terrorist Israel.” 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was branded as a “war criminal” by the demonstrators.

One Japanese demonstrator held a board high that said “BDS,” which denotes Boycott, Disinvest, and Sanction Israel. 

Slogans of the demonstrators echoed in the area around the embassy, calling out, “Don’t kill children.” At one point, the protestors shouted while raising their shoes in their hands, “The USA is the head of the snake.” and “The USA is a belligerent military nation.”

One Japanese protestor held a sign stating, “Goodbye Colonialist Zionism” and “Israel, Stop War Business.” Another protestor held a banner that said, “When will the children of Gaza wake up to the sound of birds, not bombs?”

One demonstrator told Arab News Japan that they had planned to stand facing the embassy’s main gate, but the police prevented them and only allowed them a spot on the side street of the compound. The American Embassy building is in central Tokyo, close to many other embassies and media headquarters.