rki.news | Source: Xinhua
TOKYO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) — Japanese citizens gathered outside the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Tuesday to protest ongoing joint military exercises between Japan and the United States, urging the government to halt military expansion and avoid escalating regional tensions.
Protesters displayed placards opposing the drills and military buildup before submitting a written protest to ministry officials.
Several speakers criticized the growing military presence on Japan’s southwestern islands, warning that increased deployments could raise the risk of regional confrontation.
A protester surnamed Ozawa said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration was pursuing military expansion. He also criticized rising defense spending while medical care and education faced funding pressures.
Another demonstrator, Seki, said problems involving US forces in Japan had continued for years. He called for the abolition of the Japan-US Security Treaty, arguing that tighter controls on US troops would not address the underlying issues.
The protests followed reports that a US Marine stationed in Okinawa had been arrested earlier this month on suspicion of murdering a local woman.
According to Japanese media, the Keen Sword 27 exercises are taking place across Japan from October 19 to 29, involving around 45,000 Japanese personnel and 12,000 US troops.
Japanese Protesters Oppose Ongoing Japan-US Military Exercises
