2014 Article 9 Protest in Tokyo (38 images)

The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe has a long stated desire to amend the constitution of Japan, which was written by the Americans after Japan's defeat in World war 2. Specifically he wished to remove Article 9 from law. Article 9 forever removes the right to wage war from the nation, except in self-defence. Many Japanese people are very proud their "pacifist constitution" and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have found efforts to remove article 9 difficult to get...
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The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe has a long stated desire to amend the constitution of Japan, which was written by the Americans after Japan's defeat in World war 2. Specifically he wished to remove Article 9 from law. Article 9 forever removes the right to wage war from the nation, except in self-defence. Many Japanese people are very proud their "pacifist constitution" and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have found efforts to remove article 9 difficult to get through the government processes. The latest effort to change the law is a reinterpretation of Article 9 that allows for Collective Self-Defence. Basically this will allow Japanese soldiers to take part in wars with allied countries. Many Japanese people are very angry that this will effectively mean article 9 no longer exists, as originally written, and japan soldiers may be ordered in battle again at some point in the future. On Monday June 30th over 10,000 people protested outside the Prime Minister's residence in central Tokyo. This was the last chance to voice their displeasure at a revision over half the country do not agree with and most feel has not be debated nearly enough. The revision is expected to be made formally on July 1st.
Passions about this subject run high with both the left and right in Japan. The day before a man had set fire to himself in protest at this revision after having haranguing passers-by in Shinjuku for an hour. And during the protest many demonstrators attempted to break through police barricades.
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