Japanese citizens protest US–Israel attack on Iran

Osaka – Protests against the United States–Israel war on Iran have taken place in Japan for a week, including in Osaka on Saturday 7 March, according to reports by a RIA Novosti correspondent. Dozens of demonstrators lined the streets, beating drums and carrying banners denouncing the US and Israel’s attack on Iran and calling for an end to the war. Banners read, among others, ‘We condemn the aggression of the US and Israel against Iran’, ‘We condemn Iran bombing by American imperialism’, and ‘Not for war!’ Some banners also criticised the Japanese government’s support for US policy. Others displayed images of US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with slogans calling for an end to the war. Protests have reportedly taken place daily across various regions of Japan since the weekend. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reported killed on the first day of the military operation. Iran subsequently declared a 40-day period of mourning. Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US military facilities in the Middle East. The United States and Israel initially stated that the strikes were ‘preemptive’ to address threats they assessed as stemming from Iran’s nuclear program, but it later became known that they sought changes in Iran’s regime. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the killing of Khamenei a cynical violation of international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry also condemned the US–Israel military operation and urged immediate de-escalation and an end to hostilities.