With the contentious state secrets bill slated to clear the Upper House this week, citizens have been holding daily protests in front of the Diet building, denouncing the law as emblematic of the "rise of fascism."
About 40 people took part in a boisterous protest Tuesday afternoon criticizing the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and its attempt to railroad the bill through the Diet.
Some held up signs that described the bill as "Japan's embarrassment," while others called for the resignation of Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, who likened their protest activities to an "act of terrorism" on his blog Sunday.