May 22, 2025

Peace-oriented citizens staged a protest against the “Defense Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan 2025,” a trade fair that began on May 21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City to showcase the latest defense and security technologies.

Chanting, “No to merchants of death”, 350 protesters, including civic group activists, concerned citizens, and Japanese Communist Party local assemblymembers, performed a die-in and formed a human chain near the exposition site.

Peace groups from Palestine, South Korea, and the U.K., in addition to JCP Dietmembers Akamine Seiken, Motomura Nobuko, and Yamazoe Taku sent messages in solidarity to the demonstration.

A protester said, “It is unforgivable that about 20 Israeli military companies, which have been indirectly committing genocide in Palestine, are participating in this trade expo.”

A woman from Gaza said, “Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and the situation keeps getting worse every day. The companies in the expo should be ashamed. We won’t be silent. Free Palestine!”