24,000 Rally in Tokyo Against US-Israel War on Iran

Thousands Rally in Tokyo Against US-Israel War on Iran

An estimated 24,000 protesters gathered outside Japan’s Diet building to condemn the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, while also opposing proposed constitutional revisions. Demonstrators waved glow sticks and chanted slogans rejecting the use of force to achieve peace.

The demonstration, one of the largest anti-war rallies in Japan since the conflict began, was organized by civic groups including the “We Want Our Future” volunteer network and the “Don’t Destroy Article 9” executive committee, according to Japanese daily The Mainichi.

Anti-war Sentiment Meets Constitutional Concerns

Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans such as “no constitutional revisions” and “you can’t create peace through force of arms”. The rally, titled Emergency Action to Protect the Peace Constitution, highlighted concerns over Japan’s war-renouncing Article 9 and growing unease about a militarized foreign policy advocated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Tokyo Navigates a Regional Crisis

The rally coincided with a meeting of the Japan-Iran Parliamentary Friendship League, led by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and attended by Iran’s ambassador to Tokyo. Kishida emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties with Tehran, dating back to 1929, while balancing Japan’s alliance with the United States. The remarks underscored Tokyo’s delicate role as Washington’s key regional ally.

Türkiye’s Role in Diplomatic Balancing

Amid the escalating conflict, Türkiye has emerged as a crucial diplomatic actor, maintaining communications with both Western allies and Tehran. Since the US-Israel offensive began on February 28, over 1,340 lives have been lost, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have targeted Israel and US military assets, disrupting global markets and aviation.