TOKYO: Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tokyo for a peace rally and in defence of the “peaceful” Article 9 of the constitution, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Sunday.
May 3 marks the 79th anniversary of the adoption of the Japanese constitution, known as “peaceful” because of its Article 9, in which Japan renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and forgoes maintaining its own military forces.
The protest took place amid such a dense crowd, compared with previous years, that even first-time participants did not need to find their way, as they could simply follow the crowd leaving the station.
Demonstrators held signs reading “No to war!”, “No to changing the constitution!” ,”No to militarisation!”, and “Let’s defend the constitution and Article 9”.
The rally organisers said that leaflets and placards, which are usually handed out to participants, ran out before the event even began. After the rally, participants will march through the city streets. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
