November 7, 2024

The Sasebo City Peace Committee in Nagasaki Prefecture on November 4 staged a protest against a military parade jointly taken part in by the Ground Self-Defense Force, the Maritime SDF, and the U.S. Navy in the main shopping arcade in the city.

Holding up placards that read “Don’t make Sasebo a sortie base!” the local New Japan Women’s Association (Shinfujin) and the local Japanese Communist Party also participated in the protest.

About 370 military personnel paraded through the arcade, waving to shoppers and passersby.

Tomizuka Akira, secretary general of the Nagasaki Prefectural Peace Committee, pointed out, “They probably want more public recognition for the SDF.” JCP Sasebo City Assemblyperson Oda Noriaki said, “Japan has had painful experiences in the past. We want peace that does not depend on military forces so that we won’t be subjected to a similar experience.”

The SDF applied in advance to the local municipality for use of the park next to the arcade. On the day of the parade, it occupied the park and kept the public out. As a result, the protesters could not hold a rally in the park and could only protest on the nearby streets.