The other day I stepped out of the East Gate of Shinjuku Station to be — quietly, peacefully — confronted by a small group of Japanese and others protesting the war in Gaza.
In the 20+ years I have lived in Tokyo, I have only witnessed a few protests — mostly pacifist reactions to political attempts to re-write the Constitution and re-militarize the country.
This protest had a cool, grassroots vibe. The signs lying on the sidewalk in front of the demonstrators were apparently meant for passers-by, and while I was there several people did pick up a sign and join the crowd for a short or long time.