TOKYO: Protesters held a demonstration outside the office of Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio on Thursday to denounce Israel’s actions in Palestine and the collaboration of Japanese companies in the arms industry, particularly with Israel.

The protesters took aim at next month’s Japan International Aerospace Exhibition, Japan’s largest aerospace industry exhibition to highlight how Japanese companies are buying weapons from Israel and helping Israel in the manufacture of weapons that can be used against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

The protesters shouted slogans and held up banners with messages such as, “Don’t Offer International Aerospace Exhibition to Merchants of Death,” “Stop arming Israel – oppose the international aerospace exhibition,” “Cancel the deal to import drones from Israel,” and “Don’t make the international aerospace exhibition a massacre and weapons exhibition.”

The chants could be heard outside the Prime Minister’s Office and Japan’s parliament, which is nearby. The area also houses the offices of MPs, various ministries, and political parties.

The Japan International Aerospace Exhibition will take place from October 16 to 19. Next May, Japan will host DSEI (Defense and Security Equipment International) Japan, in which Israel will be a participant.