ع
Arab News Japan reported that protesters assembled in front of the National Diet on September 19, 2026, to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the security legislation. The demonstration was jointly organized by the All-Out Action Committee Against War and the Destruction of Article 9 and the National Citizens’ Action Against Constitutional Revision for Article 9. Participants displayed a large banner proclaiming “11 Years of Struggle — We, the Sovereign People” while holding numerous placards advocating for peace, the protection of the constitution and opposition to war. The event continued the “19th Action” movement that began following the legislation’s introduction in 2015.
According to Arab News Japan, the same day saw solidarity actions take place at more than 330 locations across the country. Citizen groups gathered at train stations, parks and near government offices to unite in opposition to the security legislation and in support of the constitution. These coordinated protests underscore the persistent grassroots resistance to changes in Japan’s security policy. Organizers emphasized the role of citizens as sovereign people in the ongoing struggle.
The security legislation enacted on September 19, 2015, enabled Japan to exercise collective self-defense in limited circumstances and expanded the types of aid the Self-Defense Forces could offer to foreign militaries, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan overview shows. Japan’s Article 9 of the constitution renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits the maintenance of armed forces for that purpose. The laws represented a significant shift in the country’s postwar defense posture. Protesters have consistently argued that the legislation violates the spirit of the pacifist constitution.
Lassalle Ishii, deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party and a member of the upper house, thanked the participants and highlighted the significance of marking the 11th anniversary, Arab News Japan stated. Other opposition politicians from parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party also attended the rally. The demonstration reflected broader discontent with lawmakers who had once criticized the bills as unconstitutional but later altered their stances. Speakers called for the preservation of Japan’s peaceful principles.
In the broader context, anti-war protests have continued regularly since 2015, with large turnouts reported at previous monthly actions, according to multiple Japanese media outlets. Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office last year, the government has accelerated defense enhancements and lifted bans on certain arms exports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has described the legislation as necessary to ensure the country’s survival and to contribute to international peace and security. Despite official justifications, citizen movements have maintained their opposition through consistent monthly gatherings. The latest rally demonstrates that the debate over the security legislation remains active more than a decade after its adoption.
