Tokyo, 24 Dec 2025 – On Tuesday evening, hundreds of Tokyo residents gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, waving banners and chanting slogans like “Uphold the Constitution” and “No to war!” ✊
The rally was sparked by PM Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks about Taiwan authorities, which many saw as a risky diplomatic misstep. Protesters also slammed a senior security official’s statements advocating for a nuclear arsenal, a move they say directly challenges Japan’s long-held Three Non-Nuclear Principles (no production, possession, or introduction of nuclear weapons). 💣🚫
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, criticized what she called a government “preparing for war.” She pointed out that Japan’s defense budget has climbed steadily, evoking uneasy memories of the 1930s. 📈🕰️
“These comments shake the very core of Article 9,” Fukushima said, referencing the clause that renounces war as a sovereign right. “We can’t let history repeat itself.”
At Sophia University, international politics professor Koichi Nakano told Xinhua that the uproar reflects Japan’s ongoing struggle with its own history. He argued that without deep historical education, many underestimate the gravity of stirring tensions over Taiwan. “Our post-war path rests on never repeating the mistakes of history,” he said.
Citizen activist Chieko Okada added her voice from the crowd: “It worries me that some support these security shifts without truly knowing the past. PM Takaichi must retract her dangerous statements.”
The peaceful protest in Tokyo joins a growing global conversation about constitutional pacifism, regional stability, and the power of youth-led movements. For tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z in South and Southeast Asia, the rally’s message resonates: stay informed, speak up, and protect peace. 🌏✌️
Reference(s):
Japanese citizens protest PM Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan
cgtn.com
