Tens of thousands of Japanese citizens held large-scale protests on Sunday around Japan's parliament building, opposing the push made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to lift restrictions on arms exports, amend the pacifist constitution, and other dangerous moves toward remilitarization, according to China Media Group (CMG).

Japan's parliament earlier this month passed the budget for fiscal 2026, under which defense spending exceeded 9 trillion yen ($56.74 billion) for the first time.

The government is also planning to revise the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and related implementation guidelines in the near future, in a move seen as loosening constraints on overseas weapons exports.

Protesters said such steps run counter to the pacifist spirit enshrined in Japan's constitution and could further heighten regional tensions, CMG reported.

In recent weeks, similar rallies have been held across the country, with participants voicing opposition to the government's efforts to ease the arms export ban and push forward constitutional revision.

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Japanese protesters rally against government plan to lift ban on lethal arms exports