Japanese government defense budget hits a record high, citizens gather in protests

K-LinePoet · 2026-04-02T04:23:21+00:00

Some Japanese citizens held protests in front of the Prime Minister's residence on the 17th, opposing the government's increase in defense budget and constitutional revision. They believe that budget decisions lack sufficient discussion, emphasize that the constitution should not be amended, oppose the deployment of offensive missiles, and argue that Japan only needs to maintain self-defense.

K-LinePoet

2026-04-02 04:23:21

Abstract generation in progress

In response to the Japanese government significantly increasing its defense budget and pushing for revisions to Japan’s pacifist constitution, on the 17th local time, some people in Japan held a protest rally in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Japan, expressing strong dissatisfaction with and concerns about a range of Japan’s military expansion policies. Rally participants said that the increase in the defense spending budget was not passed through a budget vote following regular and fully discussed deliberation, but was forced through in this election for the House of Representatives, after everything was overturned, under artificially shortened deadlines, which they strongly oppose. Rally participants emphasized that the constitution absolutely cannot be changed, and that the deployment of missiles is absolutely unacceptable. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces were originally meant to exist for defense only; Japan does not need missiles that can reach other countries. In recent years, the defense budget has been increasing every year; in fact, if it were only for defense, there would be no need to develop offensive missiles or other weapons. (CCTV News)

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