Anti-war protests rock Japan as PM pushes for stronger defence
Japan is being shaken by its biggest anti-war protests in decades after the prime minister moved to reinterpret the country's pacifist constitution and ramp up defence spending. The push has split public opinion sharply.
Japan is being rocked by its largest anti-war protests in decades after the prime minister moved to reinterpret the country's pacifist constitution and sharply increase defence spending. Tens of thousands have rallied in Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima to demand a reversal of the policy.
The demonstrations focus on protecting the peace clause of Japan's 1947 constitution. A broad coalition of trade unions, academics and retired military officers has framed the change, billed as a response to rising security pressures in the Pacific, as a step taken outside the country's democratic checks and balances.
The government argues that Japan must reinforce deterrence as Chinese military activity rises and North Korea's missile programme expands. With the parliamentary balance tight, a key vote is approaching, and opposition parties warn that any constitutional move could trigger an early general election in the months ahead.
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