Japan Press Weekly

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2014 May 21 - 27 [POLITICS]

SDF conducts military parade amid citizens’ protest

While around 150 citizens were protesting, armed troops of the Self-Defense Forces conducted a demonstration parade in the center of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

The Ground SDF Kanazawa Station organized this parade for the first time in the city in 47 years commemorating the 60 year anniversary of the foundation of the SDF.

Around 300 armed military personnel, accompanied by armored vehicles, marched on a 250-meter course near famous tourist spots such as the Kanazawa Castle Park and the Kenrokuen Park.

Kimura Yoshinobu, one of the protesters, pointed out, “They brought firearms and military vehicles into the center of the city. That was nothing but a military parade.” He added that he will do his utmost to increase protest movements against Prime Minister Abe’s move to lift the ban on the right to collective self-defense and to turn Japan into a war-fighting nation.

Citizens had previously made representations to the SDF and local municipalities to oppose the parade. The Japanese Communist Party had also demanded that the Defense Ministry cancel the demonstration.

Past related article:
> JCP demands halt to SDF military parade in tourist area [May 17, 2014]