Hundreds of Japanese yesterday gathered in central Tokyo to protest against US plans to retaliate for attacks on New York and Washington and the Japanese Government's plan to send its military to support the operation.
Housewives, students, labour union members and Buddhist monks, beating drums to John Lennon's song "Imagine," marched around the Parliament Building holding banners that read "War is not the answer" and "Don't support US retaliation."
"We are strongly opposed to the Japanese Government's plan to support US retaliatory attacks," said Sakuko Kashima, a member of a local civic group, amid the chanting of anti-war slogans.
"Military attacks will not resolve anything," she said.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a policy speech to a new session of parliament yesterday, pledged to support the US "war on terrorism."
He also promised swift enactment of a new law that would allow Japan to provide logistical support for any US military action, including the supply and transport of unspecified items and medical services.
Japan's pacifist constitution renounces war as a means to settle international disputes and successive governments have interpreted that to mean Japan is banned from going to the aid of allies when they are attacked.
Indonesia's biggest Islamic group said yesterday US action could trigger Christian-Muslim conflict if a persuasive case is not made.
"Proving the evidence is important to distinguishing which is Islam and which is terrorism," said Hasyim Muzadi, who leads Indonesia's moderate 40-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
"Without the evidence... (retaliation) cannot be justified... (and) the case for an attack will fade and be replaced by a war between Islam and Christianity," he said.
Calls for jihad if the United States strikes Afghanistan are echoing around the Islamic world and hundreds of men from Indonesia have signed up to go to Afghanistan to help defend the Taliban.
(China Daily 09/28/2001)
