Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Around 1,100 pacifists opposed to the Japanese government’s new defense plans staged a protest on Monday near the Japanese parliament in Tokyo.

Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s government swiftly adopted three new measures to boost defense recently, including allowing Japan to counter-attack enemy bases, the acquisition of long-range missiles and the doubling of military spending.

Politicians joined the protesters, including KONDO Shoichi of the Constitutional Democratic Party and YAMAZOE Taku of the Japan Communist Party.

Lower House lawmaker Kondo said that rather than go the military route in responding to threats such as North Korea, Japan should emphasize diplomatic solutions.

Yamazoe said that while the Communist Party of Japan has no relations with North Korea, he wants to create an “axis of peace” between Asian countries with no country excluded.

The protesters have complained that Japan’s militaristic stance is in direct opposition to its pacifist constitution.