• Activists are slated to hold a protest rally from Shinbashi SL Square to the Akasaka Park in Tokyo at 18:00 (local time) on September 26. 
• Protesters will reportedly pass through the National Police Agency and the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters. 
• The demonstration aims to voice disaffection against Tadashi Nakamura’s appointment as the Commissioner of the National Police Agency due to the official’s perceived links to the ruling-Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It is also informed by his reported revocation of an arrest warrant issued for Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a journalist with close ties to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Turnout at the slated events is expected to be relatively high, with participation likely to reach up to the high dozens. This is suggested by the sustained disaffection over the perceived high levels of corruption in the country’s bureaucracy, potentially spurring heightened sensitivity around the issue, coupled with social media interest surrounding the event. Although the protests are expected to transpire peacefully, security may be bolstered to monitor the events, given that the planned locations are near major government buildings and transportation arteries. Forcible dispersals are anticipated should the protest turn unruly and garner particularly large turnouts, considering the ongoing COVID-19-related state of emergency. Further, localized disruptions to traffic are also expected near the venues. 

Those operating or residing in Tokyo on September 26 are advised to allot for disruptions near the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests.