Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A protest targeting Japan’s Defense Ministry was held in Tokyo on Wednesday over reports that Japan may be considering the acquisition of drones from Israel.

The demonstration was organized by a group called “@NDAGagainstG,” which stands for National Defense Academy Graduates against Genocide, comprising alumni from Japan’s National Defense Academy.

The protest poster declared: “Enough is enough! Ministry of Defense – Do NOT approve the use of Israeli-made suicide drones! Join us in front of the Ministry of Defense on May 7.”

The organizers, showing strong determination, announced they would hold an emergency protest in response to Israel’s drone attack on a civilian aid ship. They plan to demonstrate outside the Ministry of Defense, which they claim is still contemplating the potential deployment of these drones.

Weekly protests Israel have been taking place in Tokyo and other parts of Japan since Israeli occupation forces launched a military offensive against Gaza following Hamas’s raid on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Both Japanese and foreign protesters have called on Israel to “Stop the Genocide,” “Free Palestine,” and “Stop the Killing.” They have also targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have called for his arrest following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court.

Additionally, one protester held a banner criticizing Japanese companies for collaborating with Israeli military firms, such as Elbit Systems, which supply weapons to the Israeli occupation forces. Others displayed posters stating, “Israel and the United States are the number one terrorist countries.”