November 26, 2025

In response to the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, progressive women in Tokyo held a rally in front of the Israeli Embassy and demanded an immediate end to the war and genocide in Gaza, as these are the ultimate forms of violence in international law.

Participants chanted slogans such as, “Lasting peace for Palestine!” and “Israel must abide by the ceasefire agreement and fully withdraw from Gaza!”

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Kira Yoshiko pointed out that the dignity and human rights of women and children in the Gaza Strip have been trampled on. She declared, “We won’t tolerate war or violence! Let’s raise our voices!”

Obata Masako of the Japan Federation of Women’s Organizations (Fudanren) argued that peace and gender equality go hand in hand. She denounced Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s dangerous rhetoric, saying that it tramples on the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and unnecessarily heightens regional tensions. Obata stated, “We demand that PM Takaichi engage in peacebuilding through dialogue and diplomacy, and not inflame tensions in the region.”

Terazono Michie of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) noted that many Palestinian women and children have been killed in Israeli attacks. She criticized Israel’s actions as “completely disregarding the UN Charter and international law.”

From November 25, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, the UN Human Rights Day, various events called “The 16 Days of Activism” take place in countries worldwide.

Past related article:
> Japan-US alliance hampers efforts to eradicate violence against women in Japan [November 13, 2012]