August 28, 2026
A liaison council, consisting of trade unions and civil groups opposing the government’s military buildup policy, on August 27 lobbied the government to cancel the push for the revision of the three key national security documents scheduled for the end of the year.
Accompanied by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Yamazoe Taku, the liaison council at the Upper House members’ office building presented to the Cabinet Secretariat and the Foreign and Defense ministries its demands including cancelling the policy to significantly increase military spending and the revision of the three key documents; shifting toward peace diplomacy based on the exclusively defense-oriented principle and the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution; and expanding the budget for disaster reconstruction support and areas related to people’s daily lives such as education and welfare.
Yamazoe noted that the revision of the three key documents is believed to intend to review the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and said that the government should maintain, without fail, the principles.
Higashimori Hideo of the liaison council pointed out that the government’s “big-boned” fiscal policy, which was approved by the Cabinet in July, states that Japan will transform its defense capabilities within five years with the aim to further accelerate the expansion of military spending. He said that such an arms race policy will only heighten tensions with neighboring countries and lead to further regional instability.
Past related article:
> Takaichi gov’t’s basic fiscal policy aimed at militarization of economy is unacceptable [July 25, 2026]
Accompanied by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Yamazoe Taku, the liaison council at the Upper House members’ office building presented to the Cabinet Secretariat and the Foreign and Defense ministries its demands including cancelling the policy to significantly increase military spending and the revision of the three key documents; shifting toward peace diplomacy based on the exclusively defense-oriented principle and the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution; and expanding the budget for disaster reconstruction support and areas related to people’s daily lives such as education and welfare.
Yamazoe noted that the revision of the three key documents is believed to intend to review the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and said that the government should maintain, without fail, the principles.
Higashimori Hideo of the liaison council pointed out that the government’s “big-boned” fiscal policy, which was approved by the Cabinet in July, states that Japan will transform its defense capabilities within five years with the aim to further accelerate the expansion of military spending. He said that such an arms race policy will only heighten tensions with neighboring countries and lead to further regional instability.
Past related article:
> Takaichi gov’t’s basic fiscal policy aimed at militarization of economy is unacceptable [July 25, 2026]
