日本多地市民团体集会反对部署“战斧”导弹

Core Viewpoint - Japan plans to procure approximately 400 U.S. "Tomahawk" cruise missiles from FY2025 to FY2027, which has sparked significant public opposition in various cities, including Yokosuka and Kure, where citizens are concerned about the implications of military expansion and the potential alteration of Japan's pacifist constitution [1][3][4]. Group 1: Public Opposition - Citizen groups in Yokosuka have collected over 30,000 signatures opposing the deployment of "Tomahawk" missiles, emphasizing a desire for peaceful resolutions to conflicts and a rejection of military expansion [1][3]. - Representatives from local citizen groups express concerns that the deployment of "Tomahawk" missiles signifies a return to militarization reminiscent of pre-World War II Japan, contradicting the post-war pacifist constitution [3][4]. Group 2: Defense Budget and Military Expansion - Japan's defense budget has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, with the FY2026 budget focusing on acquiring long-range missiles and attack drones for coastal defense systems [3]. - There is a growing fear among local groups that the current government may amend the constitution to allow Japan to engage in warfare, marking a significant shift in national policy [4]. Group 3: Societal Concerns - Citizens express anxiety about the militarization trend in Japan, particularly in cities historically associated with peace, such as Hiroshima, and the impact this may have on future generations [6]. - The desire for a peaceful society is a common sentiment among citizens, who wish to protect their children from the looming threat of war [6].