Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A demonstration took place today in the bustling Shinjuku district of Tokyo to mark the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.” The event was organized collaboratively by support groups based in Japan and attracted approximately 300 participants.

Participants included SHIGENOBU Fusako, the former leader of the dissolved Japanese Red Army, which had been banned.

Protesters chanted slogans denouncing Zionism and condemning the genocide systematically committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians, with a particular focus on children and infants in a clear act of extermination.

Shigenobu spoke to Arab News Japan to express her support for the Palestinian cause. Under the condition that she not be filmed, she stated, “The occupation of Palestine will persist as long as Zionist ideology exists.” She accused the Israeli government of intentionally creating division among the Palestinian Resistance in order to hinder their progress and undermine their chances of success.

Some participants held banners that read, “Stop the Settlements on Palestinian Land” and “Peace and Justice for Palestine.” They shouted slogans like “Abolish Israel” and “Palestine is free,” demanding that Israel “get out of Palestine.” These slogans reflect a strong call for increased international support for the Palestinian cause.

The slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine is free” was frequently repeated throughout the demonstration.

An organizer emphasized Japan’s historical support for Palestine in a statement to Arab News Japan. She noted, “Japan has long provided assistance to Palestine; however, it has also maintained its relations with Israel.” She added, “There are reports that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces may purchase IAI attack drones from Israel in the upcoming fiscal year.”

“For this reason, we are calling on the Japanese government to impose stronger sanctions against Israel,” she said.

Another participant hoped that increasing awareness in Japan would motivate people to join the wave of resistance and solidarity, fostering empowerment and involvement.

A woman held a sign that read, “Gaza is not for sale.” This referred to a reconstruction plan proposed by Zionist politicians, including Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli Minister of Finance. The plan aims to build housing for settlers in the Gaza Strip on the remains of Palestinian homes.

Protesters urged the Japanese government to stop importing attack drones from the Israeli company Elbit.

Activists unfurled a large Palestinian flag while supporting resistance slogans.

Palestine Day is an international observance established by the United Nations in 1977 to acknowledge the inalienable right of Palestinians to have their own sovereign state. While it is officially celebrated on November 29, pro-Palestinian activists have occasionally marked this day on November 30 instead.