Protests held on 1st anniversary of U.S. war on Afghanistan

On October 7, the 1st anniversary of the start of U.S. air strikes against Afghanistan, peace and religious groups held protests against planned U.S. attacks on Iraq as well as Japan's wartime legislation.

55 members of the Central Action Committee against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the Liaison Center against the Wartime Legislation collected signatures to demand withdrawal of the wartime bills in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.

Putting his signature to the petition, a 20 year-old-man said, "I am scared of the U.S. zeal for war on other countries. I think there should be a non-violent way for Japan to support the U.S."

Koizumi Chikashi, Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors, took part in the protest and called for grassroots struggles against the reckless behavior of the Bush administration and the Japanese wartime legislation.

On the same day, monks of the Japan Buddha Sangha and their followers held a protest in front of the U.S. Embassy against the U.S. attack on Afghanistan and its strike plan against Iraq. Holding a banner which read, "Don't kill. No more war!," the people of faith beat drums and prayed for peace.

Japan Peace Committee representatives visited the U.S. Embassy and the Foreign Ministry, and demanded that the U.S. stop the wars of retaliation and withdraw the plan to attack Iraq. (end)