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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Japanese protesters gathered on Thursday in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to rally against the government's record-high defense budget and further relaxation of arms export control.
Japan's parliament on Thursday approved the budget for the fiscal year 2024 starting in April, totaling 112.57 trillion yen ( around $744 billion). The country's defense budget for the new fiscal year saw an increase of 16.6 percent, reaching a record 7.92 trillion yen.
Besides, the Japanese government decided at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to lift the ban on exporting the next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy to third countries.
All these are widely thought to exceed the country's own defense needs and contradict its pacifist constitution, thus exacerbating regional unrest and triggering concerns in the international community.
"I took part in the protest because I think it's necessary to continue to oppose the enhancement of Japan's attack capability," said one local protester, who wants to be anonymous.
With regard to Japan's easing of restrictions on arms exports, a local protester, who asked to remain anonymous, said it must be stopped as the equipment produced in Japan might cause killings in other countries.
Citing Japan's pacifist constitution, which says it must not wage war, another protester said Japan should not provide weapons henceforth.
(Cover: Protesters hold banners during their protest in Tokyo, Japan, March 28, 2024. /China Media Group)