Japan's largest protest to support pacifist constitution

Japan sees largest protest in support of pacifist constitution as PM Takaichi pushes revisions

Japanese leader

Sanae Takaichi has called for discussions to revise the constitution, saying it should ‘reflect the demands of the times’

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

The Guardian: 4 May 2026

Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called for “advanced discussions” on revising the pacifist constitution, as large demonstrations were held nationwide to oppose any changes to the country’s supreme law.

Revisionists have set their sights on article 9 – the so-called “pacifist” clause – which forbids Japan from threatening or using military force to settle international disputes.

Any revisions would need to secure a two-thirds majority in both houses of Japan’s national Diet – or parliament – and a simple majority in a national referendum.

The constitutional constraints placed on Japan’s military were highlighted in March, when Takaichi cited article 9 when she turned down a request – reportedly with reluctance – by Donald Trump to send the maritime self-defence forces to the strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday – constitutional memorial day – an estimated 50,000 people gathered at a park in Tokyo in support of the document, whose wording has remained unchanged since it went into effect on 3 May 1947.

Protesters holding anti-war placards said article 9 had succeeded in keeping Japan out of ill-advised US-wars, including Iran.

Another local councillor, Megumi Koike, described Japan’s constitution as “a national treasure and a treasure to the world”.

“Takaichi thinks that most Japanese people want to change the constitution because they believe there is a threat from China and North Korea, but that’s just not true,” she said. “We should be spending money on healthcare, education and jobs, not on more weapons.”

“I want to cherish the constitution like I do my own child, and pass it on to the next generation,” Haruka Watanabe, an 87-year-old protester in Osaka, told the Kyodo news agency.

Sunday’s protest in Tokyo was the latest in a wave of demonstrations that are attracting people in greater numbers each time. An estimated 3,600 people demonstrated outside parliament in late February, swelling to 36,000 later that month.