February 25 ,2026

About 1,200 people formed a human chain around the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto City (Kumamoto Pref.) on February 23, chanting in unison, “No missiles in any town!” The demonstrators then paraded around the perimeter of the camp.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Shirakawa Yoko and JCP local assemblypersons joined hands in this “circle of peace” and also participated in the parade.

At the GSDF camp, a plan to deploy long-range missiles and construct a new ammunition depot is being carried out.

Representing a local group working to oppose the plan, Tokai University Professor Emeritus Yamashita Masahiko criticized the government for refusing to hold briefings for residents on the plan and for pushing ahead with the deployment of long-range missiles, which he says is unconstitutional.

The event was also taken part in by concerned citizens from Kyushu, Okinawa, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Kochi, and Hiroshima who oppose the upgrading of SDF local ammunition maintenance and supply facilities.

Nitta Hideki from Hiroshima said, “The deployment of Tomahawk missiles and the military use of the former Nippon Steel site are also being proposed at the Maritime SDF Kure Naval Base, so what’s happening at this camp is not someone else’s problem.”

A passerby who stopped to watch the parade said he lives just 300 meters from the GSDF camp, adding, “If Japan comes under attack, my neighborhood will be in danger.”

Past related articles:
> Nationwide deployment of long-range missiles incompatible with Japan’s exclusively defense-oriented policy [September 5, 2025]
> Local network demands withdrawal of plan to deploy domestic long-range missiles to Kumamoto [August 30, 2025]