Published on: 2026-04-19
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Tokyo, April 19 /Xinhua/ — Tens of thousands of Japanese gathered on Sunday near the parliament building in Tokyo to express their protest against the attempt by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government to push through a revision of Japan’s pacifist Constitution and to call for the protection of its Article 9.
According to the organizers, about 36 thousand people participated in the rally. This is the second protest action against the review of the constitution, which gathered about 30 thousand participants and took place near the Japanese parliament on April 8.
Participants held posters with inscriptions “No to war”, “Do not undermine Article 9”, and “Takaitii resign”, calling for the protection of the country’s pacifist constitution.
“The fact that so many people gathered here, protesting against the administration of Takaithi pushing through a revision of the constitution, shows that the Japanese have not forgotten the war,” said correspondent Xin Hua, participant with the surname Hara, for whom this was already the fourth similar rally.
She accused Sanae Takaichi, who secured the support of the qualified majority of her ruling Liberal Democratic Party /LDP/ in the lower house of parliament, of pushing through constitutional amendments against public resistance, intending to turn Japan into a country “capable of waging war.” The participant herself noted that she is firmly opposed to this.
“I hope that /the government of Sanae Takaichi/ listens to the opinion of the people,” the interlocutor Shin said.
Another protester, named Taka Asi, pointed out that during the years of World War II, Japan caused deep suffering to the countries of Asia and that its pacifist constitution was developed as a result of reflecting on this past. She also spoke out against any attempts to revise the basic law.
“I have nephews and nieces, and I am absolutely not okay with them ever being sent to war,” Izumi, participating in such an event for the first time, shared. “I am against war. Article 9 must be defended at all costs.”
Another man said that he is afraid of war and concerned about the ruling LDP’s persistent attempts to amend Article 9. He expressed hope that Sanae Takaichi will resign and be replaced by leadership capable of developing genuine democracy, and that Japan will build friendly relations with China and other countries around the world.
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