Citizens' and student groups staged sit-ins and demonstrations Thursday near the Diet to protest Japan's involvement in the likely U.S.-led military retaliation for the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Peace activists began a sit-in outside a Diet members' office building at around 9:30 a.m., displaying signs showing their opposition to Japan's participation.

Senior group member Jun Kunii, 51, cited the war-renouncing Constitution and called on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi not to support retaliatory efforts. The issue should be resolved through diplomacy, Kunii said.

Protesters distributed fliers and used loudspeakers to call for opposition to the Self-Defense Forces providing logistic support to U.S. forces. Around a dozen police officers were mobilized to guard the entrances to the building.

The government and the three-party ruling coalition plan to submit a bill to the Diet to allow the SDF to provide logistic support in the event of retaliation for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Japanese show unity

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Japanese residents in the Washington area placed a full-page advertisement Wednesday in the Washington Post, offering condolences to the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. and expressing solidarity with the American people in the fight against terrorism.

"America, we are with you in our dedication to democracy, freedom and human dignity," the advertisement says. It also includes the names of around 530 Japanese residents and former residents of the Washington area who donated money to help the victims' families.

"Today we feel a deepening unity and solidarity with America -- we share your pain, sorrow and anger," it says.

The advertisement also says the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington reminded many Americans of Pearl Harbor.

"We have lived with the memory of that Sunday morning for 60 long years."

However, not all Japanese residents in the area agree with the advertisement. One man who chose not to donate money said that while he understands the essential aim of the advertisement, the attack on Pearl Harbor was completely different from the terrorist attacks.

"Such an advertisement may be taken as a flattering practice for the U.S. society," he said.

Yukio Tada, one of the organizers of the advertisement and donations, said the group will continue to support the victims of the terrorist attacks.