Protesters attend a rally against the controversial security bills in Osaka, Japan, Aug. 30, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Yan Lei)
About 25,000 people rallied here Sunday, demanding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rescind the controversial security bills.[Special coverage]
"No more wars." "Retreat the security bills." Protesters shouted these words at the city's Ogimachi Park, holding banners and flags.
"The security-related bills, if passed, might put our young generations in danger. Japan may even become target of terrorist attacks," said Kiyomi Tsujimoto, a member of the House of Representatives from the largest opposition Democratic Party.
"The security bills violate our Constitution and undermine democracy. I really hope the government could listen to the opposition voices of the people," said Noriko Ishida, chairwoman of Osaka Bar Association.
Tanaka, a 30-year-old civil servant of the city, participated in the gathering with his mother.
"The security bills will not protect Japan, but only drag Japan into wars. We do not want wars. That's why I come to this gathering," he said, waving a flag with words "Security bills will send young people to wars" on it.
57-year-old Yamashita came to the gathering with his wife and daughter. For him, it is an obligation to fight against the security bills as "the bills would put Japan in a dangerous place. "
"If Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could not acknowledge that, he should step down," said he.
The gathering lasted for one hour. After that, the protesters marched for about 1.5 kilometers to the city's downtown area, calling for the government to respect public opinion.
The security-related bills are now under deliberation at the Upper House, after being railroaded through the Lower House by the ruling coalition amid protests.
The bills are considered a violation of Japan's war-renouncing constitution by 90 percent of the country's legal experts.
