August 25, 2022

Lighting candles to express, "No war" and "Peace for Ukraine," peace activists rallied in front of the Russian Embassy in Tokyo on August 24, six months after Russia launched its invasion into Ukraine.

This action took place on the initiative of the Japan Peace Committee, the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), and the Japan Asia Africa and Latin America Solidarity Committee (Japan AALA).

Members of peace organizations and concerned citizens in relays called for an end to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, chanting in chorus, "Don't kill innocent citizens!" and "Don't threaten the use of nuclear weapons!"

Lawyer Kishi Matsue, representative director of the Japan Peace Committee, said, "Russia's act of aggression is nothing less than barbarism in violation of the UN Charter and should be stopped immediately." She emphasized the importance of peace diplomacy, not armed forces, in preventing war, adding, "I'm also opposed to an arms buildup in Japan and to adverse revision of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution."

Past related articles:
> Antinuke, peace, legal organizations, and unions protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine [February 26, 2022]
> Shii strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine [February 25, 2022]
> Shii: Russia should withdraw its recognition of ‘independence’ of Eastern Ukrainian regions [February 23, 2022]