Shotlist Tokyo, Japan - Jan 8, 2026 1. Protesters chanting slogans 2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given): "Instead of spending money on defense, that is, tools of war, the government should spend it on improving people's livelihoods." 3. Various of protesters 4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given) (starting with shot 3): "Military spending is paid for with our taxes. The government says every year that tax revenue has reached a record high, but the money isn't spent on the bread we eat every day. Instead, it goes toward buying American weapons or investing in Japan's military industry." 5. Protesters 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 7): "Takaichi is a traitor to Japan; therefore, I believe she must resign immediately. Given her remarks in the complacent manner, China's anger is completely understandable." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. National flag of Japan [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Various of placards 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) protester (name not given) (starting with shot 8/partially overlaid with shot 10): "I believe it is morally impermissible to violate agreements between nations. Takaichi should immediately retract the erroneous remarks and resign. Japan has already been experiencing growing impoverishment, with many citizens living a precarious existence, uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Under such circumstances, expanding armaments constitutes a complete betrayal of the people. Whenever the public calls for increased social welfare, the government pleads a lack of financial resources or claims that more funds are needed. Yet, it is a profound error that these very resources are ultimately funneled into military expansion. The people are starving while the government are expanding military. In the final analysis, this is merely an attempt to curry favor with the United States by enriching its military-industrial complex, while Japan's own industries are also tilting toward defense production. This shift is extremely dangerous and represents a clear preparation for war. When war erupts, it is the ordinary people who will suffer." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Protesters [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Traffic 12. Sign reading "Prime Minister's Office" Storyline A group of Japanese protesters rallied on Thursday in Tokyo to voice their strong opposition to the government's push for military expansion. Carrying placards and chanting slogans such as "Oppose constitutional revision for the purpose of war preparation," the demonstrators said that the Japanese government's actions of skyrocketing defense expenditures and pushing to amend the pacifist Constitution have severely impacted people's livelihoods and intensified regional tensions. "Instead of spending money on defense, that is, tools of war, the government should spend it on improving people's livelihoods," said a protester. "Military spending is paid for with our taxes. The government says every year that tax revenue has reached a record high, but the money isn't spent on the bread we eat every day. Instead, it goes toward buying American weapons or investing in Japan's military industry," said another protester. In interviews with China Media Group (CMG), the protesters also criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan region, saying that her provocative rhetoric is essentially an attempt to drum up support for war, which would endanger the safety and well-being of Japanese citizens. "Takaichi is a traitor to Japan; therefore, I believe she must resign immediately. Given her remarks in the complacent manner, China's anger is completely understandable," said a protester. "I believe it is morally impermissible to violate agreements between nations. Takaichi should immediately retract the erroneous remarks and resign. Japan has already been experiencing growing impoverishment, with many citizens living a precarious existence, uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Under such circumstances, expanding armaments constitutes a complete betrayal of the people. Whenever the public calls for increased social welfare, the government pleads a lack of financial resources or claims that more funds are needed. Yet, it is a profound error that these very resources are ultimately funneled into military expansion. The people are starving while the government are expanding military. In the final analysis, this is merely an attempt to curry favor with the United States by enriching its military-industrial complex, while Japan's own industries are also tilting toward defense production. This shift is extremely dangerous and represents a clear preparation for war. When war erupts, it is the ordinary people who will suffer," said another protester. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]