Anti-Amendment and Anti-War Protest "Osaka Loop Unity" Breaks Out in Japan

According to a May 4 report by Asahi Shimbun: Standing protests against constitutional amendment and war began on the 4th at stations along the Osaka City Subway line. Named "Osaka Loop Unity," this initiative was launched by a young office worker on social media. The rallies continued through May 6th. "The timing, station locations, style, and scale are all up to everyone who calls for freedom!"

Despite high-profile support from Sanae Takanashi for constitutional revision, opposition surged simultaneously across all 19 stations of the Osaka Loop Line on the 4th.

Hide, a 51-year-old resident of Osaka's Higashinari Ward, stood in front of Tsuruhashi Station starting at 11:30 a.m. More than twenty others joined him, holding signs reading "No War" and "Ban Amendment to Article 9 of the Constitution." Passing young people shouted, "We don't need war!" in solidarity.

Since participating in anti-Anti-Security Law protests back in 2015, Mr. Hide has actively engaged in anti-war demonstrations and even organized them personally. After the Liberal Democratic Party’s sweeping victory in the February general election, followed by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, he joined youth activists on X (formerly Twitter), holding protest signs.

"It's truly encouraging—people who previously couldn’t speak up are now taking to the streets, and participation has become much more accessible," said Hide. "I also attended protests in front of Morinomiya and Tamagawa Stations."

Last autumn, the young organizer behind the campaign participated in demonstrations after learning about Takanashi’s response in Parliament regarding the "Taiwan Incident," which deeply alarmed him: "I fear Japan might be dragged into war or cause harm to other nations."

In February this year, he began standing alone on a street near Umeda Station. Believing online support was essential, he and his friends created a public LINE chat room named "Penlight Generation."

During that time, he came across a post on social media showing a woman standing solo at a Yamanote Line station in Tokyo to protest. Inspired, he launched the "Osaka Loop Unity" anti-amendment, anti-war demonstration.

On that day, three friends stood on roads in front of stations at Bentencho, Morinomiya, and Tenmangu, each holding signs featuring the Osaka Loop Line map with slogans like "Takanashi’s Government Is Impossible!" and "Whether you're standing alone or with many, someone will hear your voice."

In front of Morinomiya Station, a 68-year-old woman from East Osaka paused and remarked, "Many supporters of Takanashi’s government are frustrated with rising prices and worsening living conditions, so their views have changed." As she left, she told the young protesters, "I believe the only way citizens can express political voices is through elections. I’m glad you’re putting in such effort."

Additionally, as of 7:30 p.m. on the 4th, standing protests had taken place at least at Osaka Castle Park Station, Kyobashi Station, Sakurano-miya Station, Osaka Station, Fukushima Station, Terada Station, and Momoyama Park Station along the Osaka Electric Railway Loop Line, confirmed via a photo-post on X.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864268674716682/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.