February 23, 2026

A “joint action of concerned citizens with constitutional revision opposition parties” organized by the Civil Alliance took place on February 22 in Tokyo’s Yurakucho shopping, dining and entertainment district, reaffirming the commitment to confronting the Takaichi government which aims to revise Article 9 of the Constitution and enact an anti-espionage law.

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko took part in this action alongside representatives from the Social Democratic Party, the New Socialist Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The parliamentary group “Okinawa Whirlwind” sent a message in solidarity to the event.

The venue was filled with participants. They cheered on the representatives of each party, holding placards reading, “I will change it! Change politics!” “For a daily life where we can live with smiles,” and “Pass the peace Constitution to the future!”

Tamura pointed out that even among Prime Minister Takaichi’s supporters, few actually want Japan to become a war-capable state by amending its postwar pacifist Constitution, become a state of merchants of death by exporting weapons to other countries, or become a nuclear-armed state. She added that many of them also do not want an “anti-spy law” which would monitor citizens.

Tamura stated, “That’s why the JCP seeks cooperation with them,” stressing the need to promote grassroots dialogue in order to prevent Japan from turning into a war-fighting nation. She encouraged the participants by saying, “Let’s broaden the joint efforts of concerned citizens with constitutional revision opposition parties so that we can lay siege to the Diet building once again!”

Fukushima Mizuho of the Social Democratic Party noted that the Takaichi government is attempting to break the war-renouncing promise Japan in its Constitution makes to the world. She proclaimed, “Let us all work together to force the Takaichi Cabinet to resign!”

Okazaki Hiromi of the New Socialist Party emphasized, “We should push forward the movement to put the pacifist Constitution into practice in our daily lives,” adding, “Let’s expand this movement to every corner of Japan!”

Hishiyama Nahoko who coheads the Civil Alliance declared, “Only a citizens’ movement can prevent Japan from shifting toward authoritarianism and being drawn into a war,” and urged the participants to launch a major counterattack.

Sasaki Hiroshi, a professor at Niigata University of International and Information Studies and a co-leader of the Civil Alliance, emphasized, “It is always the general populace who make history. While engaging in dialogue beyond the boundaries of existing organizations and political parties, we should build a sound future, starting from the local communities.”