Japan: Multiple protests in solidarity with Palestine as well as anti-militarisation protests in Okinawa

The state of civic space in Japan is rated ‘narrowed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. While the space for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is relatively free, restrictions on press freedom, censorship, as well as discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community have been documented. The government has also imposed tougher penalties for criminal defamation.

In September 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dropped the post of special adviser for international human rights issues, a move that has been criticised. No official reason was given for eliminating this post. The prime minister appointed Gen Nakatani to the post when he formed his Cabinet in November 2021, after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) victory in the Lower House election.

In recent months, there have been multiple protests in Japan against the conflict in Palestine and the bombing of Gaza. There have also been protests against the ongoing militarisation of Okinawa and the US bases there.

Peaceful Assembly

Pro-Palestine protests demand end to Israeli strikes in Gaza and a ceasefire

There have been a number of protests in Japan in solidarity with the people of Palestine, following the bombardment of Gaza by Israel in October 2023.

On 17th October 2023, several dozen protestors in Osaka took to the streets to voice their opposition and call for peace outside the US Consulate General Osaka-Kobe in Osaka's Kita Ward during the day and in the evening. About 40 people took to the microphone to speak to passersby and to the diplomats inside.

Another protest was held near the Israeli embassy in Tokyo on 20th October 2023 denouncing Israel’s bombing of Gaza. During the demonstration, a plainclothes security officer clashed verbally with the protestors several times. One protestor, from the Zengakuren Students’ League, was grabbed and arrested. The student was pushed into a van and transported to an unknown location.

On 22nd October 2023, about 300 people marched in the city of Fukuoka calling for an end to attacks on Gaza. The participants called for a ceasefire, with one saying, "This problem cannot be solved by war." The demonstration was organised by Osama Eljamal, a native of the Gaza Strip and associate professor at Kyushu University living in Fukuoka, and the Fukuoka Palestine association.

There were protests around Japan on 4th November 2023 demanding an end to the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, A rally held near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo drew about 1,600 people, according to organisers. Shindo Matsushita, who visited the West Bank last fall and this summer, took the stage at the rally with sunflower seeds in his hands.

Thousands of people marched in Tokyo on 10th November 2023 in support of Palestine. Demonstrators chanted “Free, free Palestine”, “Peace for Gaza” and carried signs calling for a “Ceasefire Now.”

Some 1,000 pro-Palestine protesters mobilised outside the Israeli embassy in Tokyo on 13th November and chanted slogans “Free Gaza!”. On 19th November 2023, around 1,500 people held a demonstration in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. Rallies featured Palestinian flags and pleas for a ceasefire. Pro-Palestine protests were also held on 14th and 21st January 2024 in Shibuya.

Thousands protest military presence and US bases in Okinawa

In November 2023, thousands rallied in Okinawa to protest the government’s decision to bolster Japan’s military presence in the region in response to threats from China and North Korea.

The peace rally drew around 10,000 people at the athletic stadium in Onoyama Park on 23rd November 2023, according to organisers, which consisted of 65 activist groups.

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said: “It’s been 51 years since Okinawa was returned to Japan, but we are still forced to host more than 70 percent of US military bases in the country. This is wrong and must change.”

As previously documented, protests against the US military bases in Okinawa have been ongoing for several decades. The US has about 26,000 troops spread over several bases on the island, including some in densely populated areas.

In recent years, Japan’s Self-Defence Forces have established new bases on the Okinawan islands of Yonagunijima, Miyakojima and Ishigakijima, with further development of seaports and airports planned in the area.

In December 2023, the Fukuoka High Court Naha branch court ordered the governor of Okinawa to approve the central government’s modified plan for landfill work at the planned relocation site of a key US military base on the island despite persistent opposition and protests by residents. The local government can still appeal to the Supreme Court, but at this point it has no power to stop the work unless the top court overturns the decision.

Governor Denny Tamaki said: “it was unjust that the will of the residents is crushed by the central government.”

On 12th January 2024, close to 1,000 people gathered outside Camp Schwab in Okinawa to hold a protest following the restart of construction for a runway being built into Oura Bay.