TTokyo

Parade of vans with loudspeakers hurling abuse in ropponghi

  • November 29, 2025


Parade of vans with loudspeakers hurling abuse in ropponghi



by Sebbie_Smakinen

31 comments

  2. The vans you might see are operated by Japanese political groups, specifically right-wing ultranationalists known as *uyoku dantai*. They use sound trucks (*gaisensha*) as a method of political outreach and protest.

    These groups drive through various high-traffic areas in Tokyo, including districts like Roppongi (which is home to many embassies), to broadcast their political messages loudly to the public. The messages typically advocate for nationalistic viewpoints, historical interpretations aligned with their ideology, and specific foreign policy stances.

    Their use of loud amplification is intended to generate public visibility and draw attention to their political platforms. While permitted under local free speech norms, the noise levels often exceed local regulations. Residents typically view these occurrences as a routine, though disruptive, part of the urban environment.

  4. I think it’s strange that Japan is so strict and yet this isn’t shut down immediately. They are disturbing the peace. I’m also a little shocked that some of the exhaust I hear I’m pretty sure that’s not legal.

  5. I lived in tokyo 11 or so years ago, and worked next to the Canadian embassy. These guys would regularly drive by.. sometimes youd get tourists cheering them on thinking its some kind of parade.

    They hassled Koreans a lot at the time(not sure if they still do) even though a lot of them were apparently third/fourth generation Koreans which i found amusing

  8. Seems like it got a bit more aggressive since I lived in Japan. They’re far rightwing nationalists who like to spread their political views in this loud manner. Funny enough they often do it in neighborhoods where a lot of foreigners live, like Roppongi.

  9. Just tell them you don’t want any sweet potatoes and they’ll be on their way, l’m sure 😉

  10. One day, near Tsukiji, I had the chance to walk up to one of these vehicles when they were pulled over at the curb, just after turning off their sound blast. I went in close, as if to ask a question, leaned in, and *SCREAMED*, “Shut the fuck up!” Right in this uyoku guys ear. He punched me weakly in the face. A cop standing nearby saw it, and shut them down. They had to leave. It still feels good.

  12. Same old, same old. Annoying but I’d rather live in a country where that is allowed than one where it isn’t…

  16. They have to shout ebcause nobody listens to them. For the same reason they have to blackout the windows of hte huge busses they drive – because there’s nobody on them.

  17. TBH they are fairly rare. Conversely there are near constant cars with converted exhausts revving up and down Roppongi Dori, Gaien Hagashi Dori and Aoyama dori. They run all night and the police do nothing. I’d love to see noise control at least between midnight and 7am so people can sleep.

  18. I don’t know the current situation or history in Tokyo, but at least in Osaka, right-wing groups first file a police report and then carry out their activities.
    About 15 years ago, there was an incident in Osaka where someone was making hate speech over a loudspeaker, and angry Koreans rushed in, forcing the police to stop them.
    Basically, you can do anything you want as long as you file a police report.
    Also, right now, there are many Japanese activists in front of the Israeli Embassy near my office who are unaware of this.
    That’s why there are always barricades set up, and many pylons set up to prevent nuisance behavior.

    I am Japanese and have many thoughts about Japan’s war history and foreign policy.

    However, as someone who knows specific information about the inner workings of right-wing groups, I have heard that they are actually Yakuza, and that they have been partying heavily with the priest of Yasukuni Shrine.

    On the surface it is a historic shrine, but I think the inside is corrupt.

    This may seem like a trivial matter, but for some reason right-wing group team stickers seem to have a big influence on public transportation, and even if a van with a sticker on it was parked at a bus stop, the bus driver couldn’t reprimand it. However, someone imitated this and parked on the street behind the van, and had the bus honk at them.

  19. You can see the cops have the white foldable gate set up to block the road and ticket them for noise violations.

  20. I lived in Japan for extended periods from 1978 to 1981 mostly in Kyushu. I used to see these vans with loud speakers blaring basically the same screeching stuff. Seemed lame then, more so now. There must be another generation of these guys. In the states our version are armed and dangerous.

  21. They aren’t the typical “uyoku”…their group, “Nihon Seinensha” is affiliated with the yakuza syndicates. Looks like President Xi just pissed them off.

    Nihon Seinensha (Japan Youth Society) – one of the largest organizations with 2000 members. Set up by the Sumiyoshi-ikka syndicate in 1961. Since 1978, members have constructed two lighthouses and a Shinto shrine on the Senkaku Islands, a collection of uninhabited islets claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan. In June 2000, two members of the society attacked the editorial office of a magazine company, Uwasa no Shinso [Co.Ltd](http://Co.Ltd) which ran a headline that was disrespectful to then-Crown Princess Masako.

  22. I think there’s a lot of retarded things going on in Japan. Especially their stupid work culture. Japan and South Korea have the highest suicide rates in the developed world. Maybe a coalition of western nations could propose a new country management?!

  24. Miss the days where they limited the screaming to Azabu… Could hit all the embassies in like 5 minutes. Lol.

  26. Obviously, it’s Gaijin’s fault right guys?

    On a serious note, the police suddenly became the most incompetent bastards when the crime involves a Japanese national, yet are quick to arrest foreigners for stuff like jaywalking on a small back alley.

  29. In tokyo yesterday there were vehicles doing the same but trying to convert people to christianity.

  31. Damn, saw them yesterday afternoon around Shinjuku and after a while they were stopped by group of policemen. Didn’t know that they continued.

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