March 23, 2015
Crowds of about 14,000 people staging protests against the Abe government’s runaway policies on March 22 took part in rallies and demonstrations around the Diet building.
This action was called for by an organizing committee consisting of the Metropolitan Coalition against Nukes (MCAN), which hosts the weekly Friday night protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, and other civil groups objecting to the Abe administration’s anti-people policies: Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right; the state secrets protection law; the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa; participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact; cuts in social welfare services; the consumption tax hikes; revision of the war-renouncing Japanese Constitution; and relaxation of labor laws.
In a rally held at the Hibiya Amphitheater, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, MCAN member Misao Redwolf said, “Let’s unite and work to bring down the Abe administration.”
Representing a students’ group working to abolish the state secrets law, Honma Nobukazu expressed his determination to continue protesting, saying, “The state secrecy law will undermine people’s freedom of thought and action. I will continue voicing our demand for freedom and democracy.”
Watanabe Masayuki of an anti-hate speech group said, “The government of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has been neglecting the UN recommendation calling for government measures against hate speech campaigns. We know that prejudice and intolerance can drive ordinary people to act in irrational ways and pave the way for war. Let’s raise our voices calling for ‘No hate’.”
After the rally, participants marched in demonstration to the Diet building, carrying placards calling on Prime Minister Abe to resign as prime minister and give up his attempt to build the new base in Henoko and revise the Constitution.
In another rally held near the Diet building, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo delivered a speech in solidarity. Criticizing Abe for his high-handed and dictatorial style of politics, Shii said, “Let’s get rid of this prime minister and create a society where constitutional principles are fully utilized and the government implements peaceful, democratic, and people-first policies.”
A 19-year-old student, who participated in this kind of anti-government event for the first time, said, “I was surprised at the Liberal Democratic Party’s draft constitution and realized it is our responsibility to speak about against the government.”
A 23-year-old political philosophy student learned of the action from a Twitter message. He said, “I think now is the time to stand up to defend freedom and democracy based on my knowledge.”
Past related articles:
> 7,000 people rally near Diet calling for Abe’s resignation [November 12, 2014]
> People call for Abe’s resignation as PM [June 15, 2014, 2014]
This action was called for by an organizing committee consisting of the Metropolitan Coalition against Nukes (MCAN), which hosts the weekly Friday night protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, and other civil groups objecting to the Abe administration’s anti-people policies: Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right; the state secrets protection law; the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa; participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact; cuts in social welfare services; the consumption tax hikes; revision of the war-renouncing Japanese Constitution; and relaxation of labor laws.
In a rally held at the Hibiya Amphitheater, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, MCAN member Misao Redwolf said, “Let’s unite and work to bring down the Abe administration.”
Representing a students’ group working to abolish the state secrets law, Honma Nobukazu expressed his determination to continue protesting, saying, “The state secrecy law will undermine people’s freedom of thought and action. I will continue voicing our demand for freedom and democracy.”
Watanabe Masayuki of an anti-hate speech group said, “The government of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has been neglecting the UN recommendation calling for government measures against hate speech campaigns. We know that prejudice and intolerance can drive ordinary people to act in irrational ways and pave the way for war. Let’s raise our voices calling for ‘No hate’.”
After the rally, participants marched in demonstration to the Diet building, carrying placards calling on Prime Minister Abe to resign as prime minister and give up his attempt to build the new base in Henoko and revise the Constitution.
In another rally held near the Diet building, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo delivered a speech in solidarity. Criticizing Abe for his high-handed and dictatorial style of politics, Shii said, “Let’s get rid of this prime minister and create a society where constitutional principles are fully utilized and the government implements peaceful, democratic, and people-first policies.”
A 19-year-old student, who participated in this kind of anti-government event for the first time, said, “I was surprised at the Liberal Democratic Party’s draft constitution and realized it is our responsibility to speak about against the government.”
A 23-year-old political philosophy student learned of the action from a Twitter message. He said, “I think now is the time to stand up to defend freedom and democracy based on my knowledge.”
Past related articles:
> 7,000 people rally near Diet calling for Abe’s resignation [November 12, 2014]
> People call for Abe’s resignation as PM [June 15, 2014, 2014]
