Thousands in Tokyo rally against US-Israel war on Iran outside parliament

2026-03-26 - 20:30

Tens of thousands of demonstrators converged on Japan’s parliament building in Tokyo on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, marking one of the largest anti-war rallies in the country since the conflict began. Despite rainy weather, approximately 24,000 people participated in the protest, which was organized by civic groups including the “We Want Our Future” volunteer network and the “Don’t Destroy Article 9” executive committee, according to Japanese daily The Mainichi. Constitutional concerns merge with anti-war sentiment Protesters carried signs, waved glow sticks, and chanted slogans such as “no constitutional revisions” and “you can’t create peace through force of arms.” The demonstration, titled “Emergency Action to Protect the Peace Constitution,” reflected growing unease among segments of Japanese civil society over both the escalating Middle East conflict and domestic political debates surrounding Japan’s war-renouncing Article 9. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has previously called for deeper public discussion on revising the constitutional provision, a move that opponents argue could pave the way for a more militarized foreign policy. Tokyo treads carefully amid regional crisis The rally came as former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida convened a meeting of the Japan-Iran Parliamentary Friendship League, attended by Iran’s ambassador to Tokyo and a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official. Kishida noted that Japan and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations since 1929 and emphasized the importance of preserving those traditional ties while balancing commitments under the Japan-US alliance. His remarks underscored Tokyo’s delicate position as Washington’s key regional ally while seeking to maintain channels of communication with Tehran amid the widening conflict. Türkiye’s diplomatic balancing act in focus As the war continues to strain regional stability, Türkiye has positioned itself as a crucial diplomatic actor, maintaining lines of communication with both Western allies and Tehran. Ankara’s efforts to prevent further escalation have drawn attention in capitals across Asia, including Tokyo, where policymakers look to regional powers like Türkiye for potential pathways toward de-escalation. Since the US-Israel offensive began on February 28, over 1,340 lives have been lost, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have targeted Israel and nations hosting US military assets, disrupting global markets and aviation.