Protest in Japan before key vote on security bills

AFP, TOKYO: Thousands took to Japan’s streets Wednesday to protest at laws expected to be passed this week that could see troops fight overseas for the first time in 70 years, despite mass public opposition.
An estimated 13,000 people gathered under drizzle outside parliament in Tokyo demanding the bills be scrapped, ahead of a scheduled committee vote—the penultimate stage before the bills become law in the officially pacifist nation.
“Japan is now heading towards war, blindly following the United States. The bills are against the constitution,” said 55-year-old Makiko Inui as she stood in the rain outside parliament.

Protest in Japan before key vote on security bills

AFP, TOKYO: Thousands took to Japans streets Wednesday to protest at laws expected to be passed this week that could see troops fight overseas for the first time in 70 years, despite mass public opposition. An estimated 13,000 people gathered under drizzle outside parliament in Tokyo demanding the bills be scrapped, ahead of a scheduled committee votethe penultimate stage before the bills become law in the officially pacifist nation. Japan is now heading towards war, blindly following the United States. The bills are against the constitution, said 55-year-old Makiko Inui as she stood in the rain outside parliament.