Opponents of constitutional amendments in Japan once again organized a massive rally for thousands of protesters in Tokyo on the occasion of Constitution Day, celebrated in the country today, May 3. The organizers of the demonstration announced it through their social media accounts. According to them, approximately 30,000 protesters participated in this year's rally in central Tokyo, up from 25,000 at a similar demonstration last year. The demonstrators marched through the city center with police, chanting slogans such as "Peace cannot be built with weapons," "We need policies based on the constitution," and "Let's protect peaceful life." No incidents were reported, including clashes with the police.
The current Japanese constitution was adopted in 1947, following Japan's defeat in World War II, and has not been amended since. Article 9 of the Japanese constitution states that the country "forever renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation, and the threat or use of armed force as a means of settling international disputes." The constitution also stipulates that Japan "will not maintain land, sea, or air forces, and other war potential." The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has continually called for an amendment to Article 9 to include the Self-Defense Forces established in 1954. In particular, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his intention to make appropriate amendments during his tenure in office.
