Protests continue

How are today's protests and peoples mentalities different from that generation of japanese in '59-1960? Was there something in the water?

Yeah, many of them grew up during the war and were directly affected by the bombings throughout Japan and lost loved one's. They didnt want the people who killed them to be living among them and "protecting" them.

Now a days folks are pretty apathetic because they have it took good.

HAHAHA as long as the right winger and some of the leftwinger who benefit from Abe being in office nothing will change

How do I get information about these demonstrations? I want to go.

Just look up SEALD's FB page. If you do not have FB, I am sure a Google search will show a link to the public page or a rated website.

Hibiya Park?

Yes, Hibiya park.

True. Happened with the enactment of the US security treaty - under similar circumstances

But there were 20 million japanese protesters then. The treaty still passed and still stands today.

The irony is that the protests then, ('59-60) forced japan's PM to resign and cancelled (US President) Dwight D. to cancel a planned visit to Tokyo.

How are today's protests and peoples mentalities different from that generation of japanese in '59-1960? Was there something in the water?

1,200,000 signatures, that not even 1% of the population. seriously the bill has passed, there will have to be civil unrest or a change of gov before the new law is reversed

Actually this is incorrect, the law could be put to rest if the Supreme court finds it to be unconstitutional.

The way they are obediently standing in neatly arranged rows,

It looks like they are sitting in neatly arranged chairs or benches. Hibiya Park?

1,200,000 signatures, that not even 1% of the population. seriously the bill has passed, there will have to be civil unrest or a change of gov before the new law is reversed. All the gov has to do is wait for the crowds to tire and give up, happened before will happen again

True. Happened with the enactment of the US security treaty - under similar circumstances

How do I get information about these demonstrations? I want to go.

1,200,000 signatures, that not even 1% of the population. seriously the bill has passed, there will have to be civil unrest or a change of gov before the new law is reversed. All the gov has to do is wait for the crowds to tire and give up, happened before will happen again

Japanese Government must investigate and find out which are the forces and NGOs instigating the people to agitate >against PM Abe.

A death threat against the japanese student protestor : http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/death-threat-against-japanese-student-protestor-115100100569_1.html

It's smart of them to have some signs printed in English, so the rest of the world's media can more easily convey what it is exactly they're angry about. Perhaps next time they could be more specific, though, beyond "smashing fascism." It's a start, though.

Believe me, what the outside world thinks is extremely important to the health and longevity of this protest movement. Abe will try to outlast such protests by ignoring them, and has already proven he can mask or limit the extent of animosity towards his regime through his heavy hand in the domestic media. But he can't really control what outsiders publish. If the rest of the world starts following/supporting the protests and realize how far through the Japanese society the anti-Abe sentiment truly reaches, these protestors will only be strengthened.

Also, it's essential that these Japanese protestors have English and other language-fluent members actively following and translating the reports that outside news sources put out in non-Japanese languages. Citizens need to realize that they're far from alone in this fight against the extra-Constitutional re-militarizing of Japan.

gaijinfoOCT. 03, 2015 - 07:58AM JST At least SOME kind of civil disobedience.

Were you not paying attention when the protesters were lying in the street, risking severe bodily injury to block members of the Diet from getting in to vote?

Or are you trying to judge an entire protest movement by how a superficial viewing of one photograph neatly aligns with your superficial stereotype of Japanese society?

Or are you just jabbing at people so you can live in the "interesting times" of Chinese proverb?

Japanese Government must investigate and find out which are the forces and NGOs instigating the people to agitate against PM Abe.

Great! Hope they keep getting larger and more frequent.

The "nail that sticks up" phobia is ingrained in their DNA.

Nope any dictator no matter how soft he is , once he is squeezed , he will revolt for sure

Protesters hold placards against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a rally in Tokyo

Obviously, they're a day late and a dollar short. It's an uphill fight now.

@gaijinfo. Now your talking! That would definitely turn some heads. . . . . but C'mon, we know japanese aren't unruly. The "nail that sticks up" phobia is ingrained in their DNA.

The gathering seems staged and the protesters seem to lack any true sense of outrage.

All demos, by their nature, are organised. And let's remember that this is spontaneity (and confrontation)-shy Japan.

If you want to affect change, start throwing rocks through windows

Do that, and you've lost. Non-violent direct action is most effective.

@GaijinRock throwing and civil disobedience may have saved six million Jews, but it didn't.

You lost me with that analogy. Way out of bounds.

So many keyboard warriors of all political stripes posting. Are you going to walk your talk, actually get physically involved either here or your home country? Are you going to pay money from your pocket to support the protestors? Or just be like the other war-hawks on this site who expect someone else to do the dirty work while they sit back and throw verbal rocks.

The people have no power in a fascist regime. The saddest thing is though, the opposition party does not have a leader.

nope signing a petition won't work , I can make up big number and no proof after all its done from your home

Either they should wait the next election or march peacefully down the street

no hikkomori , staying in home shouldn't allow himself to do that , get up from your place and march down the street and say your opinion but as I say are they going to do all that for a candidate they don't know , they should say the policy which the japanese people will benefit from it

Signing a petition and having it brought before Parliament. I thought would be a help in getting the people's wishes to the forefront about the security bill. But I believe I read that 1,200,000 signatures were collected and brought before Parliament who ignored the peoples wishes. Not even one concession I believe.

japanese are good readers , they enjoy reading having good times in restaurant , in chatting with friends travelling abroad , all those people won't join demonstration I think ,you can wait for 100 years to topple abe , maybe when 60million are in the same opinion that abe is useless .

Rock throwing and civil disobedience may have saved six million Jews, but it didn't.

You may be have a point but the gandhi rebellion style needs no hikkikomori in japan right gaijininfo , Do I sound wrong in saying so ?

How's your culture, wherever it may be, doing these days? Do you want your own people doing what you suggest?

Absolutely. When a government turns toward fascism, it is required by freedom and peace loving citizens.

Rock throwing and civil disobedience may have saved six million Jews, but it didn't.

Of course, those that DO attempt to actually DO SOMETHING to stop this warmongering government get arrested:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-27/71-year-old-arrested-widespread-hitlerization-shinzo-abe-posters

Waste of time and disturb traffic..!!

At least SOME kind of civil disobedience.

@gaijininfo

Although I hope not to see the protesters "start throwing rocks through windows" I do agree about the need for some measure of civil disobedience in order to get their message across.

The way they are obediently standing in neatly arranged rows, as they have been told, is in stark contrast to their "Smash Fascism, Abe Out!" placards. Their cooperative demeanor greatly diminishes their message. The gathering seems staged and the protesters seem to lack any true sense of outrage.

Keep them coming. Good to see

I had assumed that the protests had petered out since I had heard nothing about them in the Japanese news (although there has been some coverage as @Yubaru points out).

These protests are really played down by the Japanese media, while stories like yesterday's shootings in Oregon gent plenty of air time.

There's another biggie tonight @ Hibiya Park.

Too little, too late. maybe not too late.....?

Wanting people to listen, you can't just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you'll notice you've got their strict attention.

@gaijininfoAt least SOME kind of civil disobedience.

This sounds like something a cultural missionary would say. Let the culture without sin cast the first stone.

How's your culture, wherever it may be, doing these days? Do you want your own people doing what you suggest?

Good. Keep,it up.

C'mon Japanese people. Stop going to rallies and holding the cards they give you and standing where they tell you. If you want to affect change, start throwing rocks through windows.

If you act like passive sheep, the government will keep treating you like passive sheep.

At least SOME kind of civil disobedience.

There was (FINALLY) a spot about these protests on NHK last night. Have to hand it to these folks for their determination, and wonder when the rest of the country starts taking up the cause.

I for one am hoping that the courts here agree with these folks and find the legislation unconstitutional and forces Abe back to square one, he wouldnt last much longer if it does I do believe.