Demonstrations broke out across Japan on Tuesday, March 31 as citizens protested the government’s decision to deploy long-range missiles, warning that the move signals a shift toward greater militarization and potential involvement in future conflicts.
The protests followed an announcement by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi that Japan had begun deploying missiles with counterstrike capabilities in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, close to the East China Sea and Taiwan. The move marks a significant departure from Japan’s long-standing defense policy rooted in Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war.
In Tokyo, large crowds gathered outside the Defense Ministry despite heavy rain, chanting slogans such as “Stop the deployment of long-range missiles!” and “No to preparations for war!”
Protesters questioned the government’s justification for the move. “We don’t understand where these crises come from,” said demonstrator Hiromi Yamazaki, referring to official warnings about an “East Asia crisis” and a possible “Taiwan contingency.” She described the deployment as exposing “the dangerous nature of the Japanese government.”
According to reports, the Defense Ministry has stationed upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto and hypersonic glide projectiles for island defense at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka. Officials say these systems are intended to strengthen Japan’s defensive capabilities amid growing regional tensions.
However, critics argue that the deployment goes beyond defensive needs. Former Cabinet Legislation Bureau chief Masahiro Sakata warned that such capabilities could enable Japan to strike targets overseas, suggesting that constitutional limits on the use of force are being eroded.
“The constitution allows only the minimum necessary for self-defense,” Sakata said, adding that recent policy changes have already expanded Japan’s ability to use force even when it is not directly under attack.
Local opposition has also intensified. Residents near military bases in Kumamoto and Shizuoka staged protests, accusing the government of moving forward without consulting affected communities. At Camp Fuji, demonstrators said authorities had broken promises to engage with residents before proceeding.
Other protesters expressed concern about the speed and lack of public debate surrounding the decision. “This was not even discussed during the recent election,” said one demonstrator, calling the process “highly unreasonable.”
The demonstrations reflect broader unease over Japan’s evolving security posture, as the government expands military capabilities in response to regional tensions. For many protesters, the deployment raises fundamental questions about the future of Japan’s pacifist constitution and the country’s role in regional conflicts.
