July 10, 2017
On July 9, citizens angry over PM Abe’s abuse of power took to the streets at various locations across Japan, including Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Wakayama, Ehime, and Fukuoka to demand PM Abe’s resignation.
In Tokyo, following the rhythm of a drum beat, about 8,000 citizens holding placards that read “Prime Minister Abe should stand down from office” or “Convene a Diet session”, marched in demonstration through the busy Shinjuku district. A youth group protesting against the “anti-conspiracy” law (“Public for Future”), a youth organization campaigning for minimum wage hikes (“AEQUITAS”), and a group of scholars and researchers opposing national security laws also joined in the action.
Japanese Communist Party lawmakers Ikeuchi Saori, Kira Yoshiko, and Yamazoe Taku also participated in the demonstration.
Following the demonstration, a rally demanding Abe’s resignation was held in a square near Shinjuku Station. JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira, Democratic Party lawmakers Hatsushika Akihiro and Arita Yoshifu, Social Democratic Party vice head Fukushima Mizuho, and Liberal Party co-leader Yamamoto Taro delivered speeches in solidarity. JCP Koike said, “Your actions have driven the Abe Cabinet into a corner. Let us exert our utmost efforts to repeal the anti-conspiracy law and to bring down the Abe administration!” When representatives of the JCP and other opposition parties raised their joined hands showing unity, the participants shouted in chorus, “Opposition parties unite!”
A male worker, 28, who came from Yokohama City to join in a demonstration for the first time, said “The Abe administration failed to fulfill its accountability. Even in my workplace, many of my colleagues said that the present Abe policies are wrong.”
A 25-year-old man came from Ibaraki Prefecture to participate in the rally. He said, “I came here because I want to put an end to anti-people policies. I demand an immediate resignation of PM Abe.”
In Tokyo, following the rhythm of a drum beat, about 8,000 citizens holding placards that read “Prime Minister Abe should stand down from office” or “Convene a Diet session”, marched in demonstration through the busy Shinjuku district. A youth group protesting against the “anti-conspiracy” law (“Public for Future”), a youth organization campaigning for minimum wage hikes (“AEQUITAS”), and a group of scholars and researchers opposing national security laws also joined in the action.
Japanese Communist Party lawmakers Ikeuchi Saori, Kira Yoshiko, and Yamazoe Taku also participated in the demonstration.
Following the demonstration, a rally demanding Abe’s resignation was held in a square near Shinjuku Station. JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira, Democratic Party lawmakers Hatsushika Akihiro and Arita Yoshifu, Social Democratic Party vice head Fukushima Mizuho, and Liberal Party co-leader Yamamoto Taro delivered speeches in solidarity. JCP Koike said, “Your actions have driven the Abe Cabinet into a corner. Let us exert our utmost efforts to repeal the anti-conspiracy law and to bring down the Abe administration!” When representatives of the JCP and other opposition parties raised their joined hands showing unity, the participants shouted in chorus, “Opposition parties unite!”
A male worker, 28, who came from Yokohama City to join in a demonstration for the first time, said “The Abe administration failed to fulfill its accountability. Even in my workplace, many of my colleagues said that the present Abe policies are wrong.”
A 25-year-old man came from Ibaraki Prefecture to participate in the rally. He said, “I came here because I want to put an end to anti-people policies. I demand an immediate resignation of PM Abe.”
