Japan man dies after setting himself ablaze in defense protest: NHK

A Japanese man died after
setting himself on fire in a downtown Tokyo
park in an apparent protest against the
country's shift away from postwar pacifism
under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, NHK national
television said on Wednesday.
Abe's cabinet in July freed up constraints that
had kept the military from fighting abroad, in a
major political victory, although one widely
opposed by voters.
Media say Abe could postpone a planned tax
increase and call a general election for
December, which some political insiders view
as a way to lock in his mandate for the defense
legislation and other unpopular measures.
Police responding to an emergency call on
Tuesday night found the man on fire in Hibiya
Park, which is near parliament and government
offices. He was pronounced dead soon after
being taken to hospital.
A video camera recording was found nearby,
along with a letter to Abe and the heads of both
houses of parliament protesting the easing of
the curbs on the military, NHK said.
Police would not confirm the report of the
incident.
In June, a man set himself on fire at a busy
Tokyo intersection in front of hundreds of
bystanders to protest impending approval of the
change.
Legislation still needs to be passed to enable the
defense changes, against which thousands
protested. They are among several unpopular
issues Abe confronts next year in the face of
declining support.