Japan Sees Mass Protests Against Trump-Takaichi Summit

(MENAFN) Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo on Tuesday for a series of high-stakes talks, as widespread public protests voiced strong opposition to the visit and Japan-U.S. military expansion.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, carrying banners and placards reading, "Oppose Japan-U.S. security arrangements," "Oppose Japan-U.S. summit meeting," and "Trump not welcome."

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Oppose war talks" and "Oppose Trump's visit to Japan," condemning the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. military alliance as destabilizing for the region. Police forcibly dispersed some demonstrators, leading to pushing and shoving between both sides.

Tadashi Fushimi, a member of the "Committee Against Trump's Visit to Japan," said, "The U.S.'s trade wars and weaponizing tariffs are a blatant act of violence that goes against economic globalization and is essentially aimed at maximizing its own interests. The so-called vision for a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' is, in reality, a means for Japan and the United States to pursue hegemony. Japan should adhere to independent and autonomous diplomacy, rather than becoming involved in U.S. military strategy." The organization had also led a protest march in Ginza, central Tokyo, last Sunday evening.

Japan’s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has long faced challenges from the U.S. military presence, including safety incidents, aircraft noise, and criminal activity that disrupt local life. Naito, a former Okinawa resident, held a banner reading "Oppose creating wars" at Tuesday’s rally, criticizing the deepening military alliance with the United States.

A protester from Tokyo, Iwagami, added, "With prices soaring in Japan, the government still wants to use taxpayers' money to buy weapons. This is forcing the people to pay for the military industry and is an attempt at military expansion, which will exacerbate regional tensions and is not conducive to peace."

In their inaugural meeting, Takaichi and Trump reiterated their commitment to bolstering the Japan-U.S. alliance and advancing the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Trump specifically welcomed Japan’s increased acquisitions of U.S. defense equipment. Takaichi had earlier pledged to raise the nation’s defense budget to 2 percent of gross domestic product by next March—two years ahead of the original timeline—and to update the National Security Strategy along with two other major defense documents by the end of 2026.

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