Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Several demonstrations took place around Japan’s parliament on Monday as the Japanese government was submitting an agenda to lawmakers for a controversial defense bill.

The government approved three security-related documents at the end of 2022 drafted by former defense ministers and will now try to pass a bill in parliament, which reconvened on Monday.

In recent weeks, opposition to the government’s plans has grown, with many saying they conflict with Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Opinion polls have shown that a majority of Japanese do not want to finance such a bill with their taxes, as the government plans to increase defense spending to 2 percent of GDP.

Some demonstrators are also opposed to missiles being deployed on the Nansei islets, which, they say, has been carried out at the request of the United States.

Many in Japan are also opposed to other government plans, including the restarting of old nuclear power plants.