On Tuesday evening, approximately 8,000 people gathered in central Tokyo to express their disapproval of the policies of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government. The demonstrators criticised in particular the planned deployment of missiles and the government's efforts to ease restrictions on the export of lethal weapons.

Despite the cold weather, protesters filled the area in front of the Japanese National Assembly building. They held banners with the slogans „No to war!“ and „Don't trample on the Constitution!“ and together they read aloud Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. This was to reiterate their determination to defend the pacifist principles on which modern Japan is based.

Compared to previous protests, this time the younger generation was more strongly represented among the participants. One of the protesters, Aya Yasui, drew attention to the recent deployment of long-range rocket launchers by the Japanese Ministry of Defence in Kumamoto Prefecture. In her words, this is a move that could significantly increase security tensions. „I think this is an extremely dangerous situation,“ she said.

In recent weeks, Sanae Takaichi's government has revised operational guidelines on the so-called Three Principles for the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, further relaxing the rules on arms exports. At the same time, it is accelerating plans to deploy long-range missiles at various locations in Japan and is seeking support for constitutional amendments. These moves are causing concern and criticism in various parts of Japanese society.

CMG