Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A protestor was arrested during a rally of medical workers’ union and some nationalist organizations on Sunday in central Tokyo as skirmishes erupted between both sides.

The rally, which brought about 2,000 people from unions and political organizations, was disrupted by a group of nationalists who chanted slogans and cursed protesters.

The demonstrator, who was arrested, committed a violent act against a nationalist counter-protester, which led to his arrest.  While he was brought into a police van, one of the counter protesters attempted to attack him before he was pushed back by riot police.

The rally brought together medical workers from Futawa Hospital in Chiba Prefecture who went on strike in July against the austerity measures and the cut in their wages and the removal of their corresponding summer bonus (equivalent of one to two months’ salary) due to the pandemic.

Groups that have called for the protest are under heavy police surveillance and one of their premises was recently raided by police two weeks ago. 

Some protestors carried small banners calling for the resignation of prime minister Yoshihide Suga.