TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese 
citizens and social groups have held rallies in Yokosuka City, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks regarding China’s Taiwan region, and opposing her plans to expand the military.
At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland’s “use of force on Taiwan” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which has immediately sparked strong criticism from home and abroad.
Nearly 100 Japanese citizens gathered in front of a station in downtown Yokosuka to condemn Takaichi’s erroneous remarks.
“As I just said, Takaichi’s remarks constitute interference in China’s internal affairs. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory, which is a well-established fact,” said Harada Akihiro, convener of the rally.
“Takaichi’s remarks are in nature advocating for the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, which must absolutely not be allowed,” said a participant.
Participants in the rally also held signs that read “Remove Yokosuka Base” and “Remove Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier” in protest against the presence of the U.S. naval base in the area.
On the same day, another group of Japanese citizens and social groups rallied in the city to express their concerns and opposition to the government’s military buildup and expansion plans.
“I am deeply disturbed by the various statements made by the Takaichi Cabinet regarding the ‘Three Non-Nuclear Principles.’ Anyhow, I hope Japan will adhere to the principles,” said a participant of the rally.
“Japan’s military spending continues to increase while social security contributions are being cut. I oppose this stance, as we are not paying taxes to fund military expansion,” said another participant.
The Three Non-Nuclear Principles -- not possessing, not producing, and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory -- were first declared in the Diet, Japan’s parliament, by then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1967 and have been viewed as a national credo.