More than 50,000 people gathered in Tokyo on Constitution Memorial Day to protest against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to revise Japan's pacifist constitution. The demonstrations, which also took place nationwide, specifically opposed changes to Article 9 of the 1947 constitution, which renounces war and limits the country's military capabilities.
Background to the Protests
Ms Takaichi and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) argue that the constitution needs updating to formally recognise the Japan Self-Defence Forces and address contemporary security threats from nations like China and North Korea. A constitutional amendment in Japan requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and a national referendum, with the LDP and its allies close to securing the necessary parliamentary support.
Public Opinion Divided
While public opinion on constitutional revision is mixed, a Kyodo News poll revealed that 73 per cent of respondents believe any amendments should only proceed with broad cross-party consensus. The protest in Tokyo was described as the largest ever in support of pacifism, reflecting deep concerns among citizens about altering the post-war constitution.
