Japanese stage fresh rally over controversial security bills
Japanese protesters have held a fresh demonstration ahead of the potential approval of the government's controversial security bills that the protesters say will put the country on the warpath.
On Friday, people attended the massive demonstration outside Japan’s parliament in the capital, Tokyo, demanding the bills be scrapped.
They also held placards and chanted slogan against the controversial bills - which would allow the tightly restricted Japanese military to fight in defense of allies.
Participants at the rally expressed concern that the new measures would violate Japan's constitution and could see the country dragged into US wars in the far-flung parts of the globe.
Keiko Nagao, a protester, said the bills would tarnish an existing pacifist image of Japan.
"Japanese are often seen as modest and humble, but it's not the case this time," AFP quoted Nagao as saying, adding, "It is our children and future generations who will pay the price. A pacifist image is Japan's treasure and if we lose it, it will be a big loss for our country."
The latest rally comes as the legislation was expected to go to a vote in the full upper house some time on Friday. The Japanese upper house of parliament will vote on the security bills for their final approval.
There have been growing protests across the country against the move.
Also on Thursday, members of the opposition and ruling coalition in Japan’s parliament pushed and shoved each other in a rare show of physical anger over differences regarding the bills.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and its ruling Liberal Democratic Party have faced fierce criticism for his handling of the bills. Opinion polls show the vast majority of the public are against the changes, and the premier’s once high approval rating is dropping.
The bills, which aim to increase Japan’s military influence, were ratified by the lower house of parliament on July 16.
Premier Abe and supporters argue that they are necessary to deal with a changing security environment and threats posed by regional countries that are expanding their military and nuclear capabilities.
Opponents, however, say the bills threaten Japan’s pacifist image and that the revisions will change its 1945 constitution, which prohibits Tokyo from combat except in self-defense.
They also say the legislation allows the country to join in wars created by the US and allies.
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