February 26, 2026

A rally protesting against the enactment of an “anti-espionage law” and the establishment of a “national intelligence agency” took place near the House of Representatives Members’ Office Building on February 24, with about 900 people, including legal professionals, labor union activists, and concerned citizens, participating.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Yamazoe Taku delivered a speech in solidarity at this event, alongside Fukushima Mizuho (House of Councillors) of the Social Democratic Party and Arita Yoshifu (House of Representatives) of the Centrist Reform Alliance.

Yamazoe expressed his determination, stating, “We shouldn’t tolerate the creation of a legal system that would destroy basic human rights and democracy. It would also undermine the right to freedom of thought, belief, and the press. I will work hard together with people from all walks of life to put a stop to this move.”

Kaido Yuichi, a lawyer who addresses issues related to the Specially Designated Secrets Protection Act which could manipulate information and suppress free speech, said that the LDP-Ishin coalition government led by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae wants to enact an “anti-espionage law” in order to monitor the general public. He added that he also opposes the establishment of a “national intelligence agency” as this would enable the government to have its own spy organization and conduct covert operations against foreign countries.

Nishimura Makoto of the Mass Media Information and Culture Union (MIC) stated, “Such laws always carry the risk of arbitrary enforcement by the government in power. That’s why we media workers strongly oppose them.”

A participant who came with her friends from Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward said, “If an anti-espionage law is enacted, we won’t even be able to criticize the government. I don’t want to live in a society where we can’t speak out.”