Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Several Japanese activists sported banners In front of Shinjuku station, Tokyo’s busiest, against the security and self-defense law that, they say, “allows Japan’s forces to participate in armed conflicts in contradiction with the spirit of the country’s pacifist constitution.” The law was passed by the Abe Shinzo government in September 2015.

The gathering was planned before the news broke on the shooting and later death of Abe by a former member of Japan’s Self Defense Forces. The former PM was campaigning in Nara on Friday for the House of Councillors elections slated for Sunday (July 11.) 

The protesters have all strongly denounced this attack. One woman pointed out that Abe was involved in several political confrontations with the opposition parties, but she condemned the attack.

A young activist belonging to the Communist Party clarified that although she did not approve of Shinzo Abe’s policies, she respected the  democratic principles in condemning the attack. Another candidate from a small political party expressed grave concern about such attacks.