Filipino migrants and progressive groups in Japan protested against Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s arrival in the country on May 26 for a four-day official visit. The visit is upon the Japanese government’s invitation to discuss bilateral defense and security cooperation. The visit also aims to sell cheap Filipino labor and buy weapons using loans that also come from Japan.

Filipino migrants in Japan, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Japan and allied groups Network Against Arms Trade (NAJAT), and Japan Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (JCHRP), launched various activities to denounce the defense agreements and Japan’s sale of offensive weapons to the Philippines. According to the groups, selling weapons to the Philippines enables the Marcos regime’s continuing violations of human rights.

The groups mounted a photo exhibit from May 25-29 and held forums on May 25 and 26 in Suginami City, Tokyo. Separate protests were launched on May 26 at Roppongi Station, on May 28 at the House of Councillors Members Meeting Hall. The actions also included STOP Large Forces Expansion Action, STOP Revision/Kita Ward Association, Nihonzan Myoho-ji Temple, Fumin Women’s Democratic Club, and Japan Consumers Association.

According to JCHRP, the security aid and weapons being sold to the Philippines will be used not to protect its people, but to silence critics of the government. Instead of militarization, the Marcos Jr government must address the crisis facing Filipinos, the group said.

The US-Marcos regime plans to buy from the Japanese government decommissioned Abukuma-class (also called destroyer escorts or frigates) Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Guided Ammunition and Type 16 Mobile Combat Vehicle. This follows the Japanese government’s scrapping of its policy that banned the export of lethal weapons. This now enables the Japanese government to sell weapons, warships, and missiles to 17 countries which Japan has defense agreements.