防衛ぼうえい装備そうび品ひんや安全あんぜん保障ほしょうの最新さいしん技術ぎじゅつなど大だい規模きぼ展示てんじ会かい始はじまる 千葉ちば

A large-scale exhibition introducing the latest technologies related to defense equipment and security is being held in Chiba City from the 21st.

This exhibition, held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City until the 23rd, is being hosted in Japan for the first time in two years by British companies and others, with more than 470 companies from both Japan and abroad participating.

The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency has also set up a booth and, for the first time, is exhibiting a model close in size to the actual improved Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile, which is to be deployed to the Ground Self-Defense Force from this fiscal year and used as a counterattack capability to strike enemy bases and other targets.

They also exhibited equipment that uses a device mounted on a vehicle to shoot a high-powered laser at approaching drones, burning them down to bring them down. Research is underway with the aim of introducing this to the Self-Defense Forces.

Many people involved from both inside and outside the country visited the venue, and could be seen receiving explanations from company representatives and others.

The Ministry of Defense is supporting this exhibition and commented, Many domestic defense-related companies are also exhibiting, and we expect this to be a good opportunity for matching.

Around the venue, people who opposed the exhibition held protests near Makuhari Messe, where the event was being held.

Of these, about 130 people participated in the protest march held from 1:30 p.m., carrying flags and other items opposing the event, and marched for about one kilometer from the nearest JR Kaihimmakuhari Station to near the venue.

We paraded along the road for 5 kilometers.

In front of Makuhari Messe, about 350 people held a rally, holding up placards with messages such as NO WAR, which means against war in English. They also showed solidarity by holding hands one by one, and protested the event by lying down on the ground all at once.

Ayako Kobayashi, a member of the group that called for the gathering, said, Makuhari Messe should be used for welfare and similar purposes, so I have doubts about renting it out for events like this.

I want to raise my voice to eliminate war, they said.

In addition, people with ties to the Gaza Strip in Palestine, where Israels military operations are ongoing, also gathered to protest the event and call for an end to the war.

Hanin Siam, who is from the Gaza Strip and lives in Tokyo, said, I feel angry that weapons designed to kill people are being exhibited, and I want the participants to seriously think about what is being displayed.

Some of the protesters also tried to enter the venue and there were scuffles with the police, but according to the police, no major incidents occurred.