Japan's Anti-Militarization Protests

 

A total of 30,000 Japanese citizens have expressed concerns about revisions to the pacifist Constitution. The demonstrations are occurring outside the National Diet Building. These protests could only grow as a more conservative government takes a more militarist foreign policy direction. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seeking to deploy long range missiles and increase spending on defense. The pivot to anti-China and anti-foreigner sentiments have also been expressed. Japanese conservatives are trying to remove Article 9 for creating a more powerful military force in Asia.  The argument is that North Korea and China are threats to Japan. There is no indication of possible military attacks coming from these countries. Japan cannot afford to be involved in unnecessary conflict. Soldier deaths would reduce even further a shrinking population. The youth are not going to tolerate getting drafted. The loss of life and economic damage would be devastating. The attack on Article 9 has created a new wave of anti-war organizations. We Want Our Future is becoming prominent in the cause to stop militarization. An armed force should be for defense, not starting conflicts overseas. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is trying to complete what Shinzo Abe wanted to do. The Liberal Democratic Party wants to export weapons abroad and participate in various conflicts. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces without Article 9 might be deployed to West Asia, Africa, or other parts of East Asia. The fear is that Japan could be reviving a militarist government similar to the 1930s and 1940s.   

  

The Russian Anti-War Protests

 

Since 2022 there have been anti-war protests in Russia. The protesters disagree with President Putin's invasion of Ukraine and NATO instigation. The press in the UK, US, France, and Germany does not acknowledge the anti-war movement in Russia. Anti-war activists globally have not made connections to organizations active in the Russian Federation. The reason other countries do not recognize the Russian anti-war movement is because it does not fit a certain narrative. The press and government of Europe and North America wants to present an image of a nefarious Russian Federation. Russophobia has become a normalized sentiment extending to a wider xenophobia. The language and paranoia of the Cold War has reemerged even though the Soviet Union no longer exists. Russian are seen as malevolent, rather than focusing on actions of the United Russia Party. The existence of anti-war activists in Russia dismantles the narrative of Russians unanimously supporting the government. The unusual aspect is that some would think that the EU would want to show support to the protest. The motivation would not be out of concern for the cause of peace, but rather to undermine President Vladimir Putin. Russian anti-war activists face imprisonment and are harassed by the government. The anti-war activists in other countries have shown limited support for those inside the Russian Federation. Suppression and lack of international solidarity will cause the anti-war movement in Russia to disappear. The estimate for the number of detained was 1,700 in 2022. The figures could be higher, but an official number has not been confirmed for 2023. The anti-war movement in Russia also has broken into factions divided on issues related to those who want President Putin to resign and support for opposition leader Alexei Navalny. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Being Maladjusted ( 1967)

 

Maladjusted is a term used by psychology to describe being unable to function in a normal social environment. Martin Luther King stated he was proud to be maladjusted to the ills of society. Racism, economic inequality, religious intolerance,  and war  are not attributes of a normal social environment. American society made these defects  seem like normalcy. Maybe it is not so much about  people having maladjustment,  rather a  sick society. The United States has failed to protect the rights of it citizens or ensure racial equality. Corporate capture of government has disempowered the voters. Martin Luther King had to fight racial discrimination, militarism, and the oppression of the working class. The movement for freedom and rights is a normal response to a country in dysfunction . By the late 1960 civil unrest, racial tension, and aggression in Southeast Asia escalated. The vision of a peaceful America that King wanted has not come to fruition. Being maladjusted is to response  to a nation that creates discord and despair among its population.