Nationwide protests against new security bills

Simultaneous demonstrations were organised across Japan on Sunday to protest against government-sponsored national security-related bills. The Japanese government or Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to push through changes to the way that the post war constitution is interpreted allowing the country’s forces to potentially participate in “collective self-defense” operations overseas. Many Japanese are still strongly opposed to war and do not want to see any change in the constitution. On Sunday some 6,500 protesters carrying signs and banners participated in a street demonstration in the heart of Tokyo, organized by Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy s (SEALDs); and similar protests also took place in 64 cities across the nation.

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Duits.co/AFLO)

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Duits.co/AFLO)

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

Japanese protest new government sponsored  security bills
(Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)