On Tuesday evening, December 23, 2025, a rally unfolded in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo as citizens demanded that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her remarks on Taiwan and condemned a senior official's call for nuclear armament.
Protesters held banners and chanted slogans such as "Uphold the Constitution" and "Do not incite war," underscoring their commitment to Japan’s post-war pacifist principles.
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, spoke to the crowd, criticizing the government’s security trajectory. She warned that advocacy for nuclear weapons by a senior security policy official has shaken Japan’s long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles and described the cabinet as preparing for war amid a steady rise in defense spending.
Sophia University professor Koichi Nakano told Xinhua that many citizens underestimate the seriousness of the Taiwan remarks due to gaps in historical education. He stressed that Japan’s post-war constitution and its commitment to peace are fundamental to ensuring "we never repeat the mistakes of history."
Citizen activist Chieko Okada voiced concern over attempts to downplay Japan’s wartime past and urged genuine public understanding. She asserted that Takaichi must retract her "dangerous and erroneous statements" to respect Article 9 of the constitution.
This demonstration reflects a surge in civic engagement among young global citizens, echoing movements worldwide that call for accountability, transparency, and historical awareness. As Japan grapples with evolving security challenges, this rally highlights the power of grassroots activism in shaping national policy and safeguarding peace.
For an interconnected generation, the events in Tokyo serve as a reminder: informed dialogue and collective memory are key to building a future grounded in constitutional values and international cooperation.
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Japanese citizens protest PM Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan
cgtn.com
