TOKYO (Reuters) - Thousands of Japanese gathered in central Tokyo on Saturday to oppose a U.S.-led attack on Iraq in one of a series of demonstrations scheduled to take place around the world. After a concert in a city park, demonstrators took to nearby streets. Some wore traditional costumes, others masks representing President Bush.

"I cannot forgive (America's) aggressive attitude," Koki Okazaki, a 16-year-old Tokyo demonstrator, said. "It would be an awful thing if Japan were to take part in the war." Banners carried by Japanese protesters carried slogans such as "Why Iraq?" and "War is not the answer." One poster depicted Bush as a kimono-clad Japanese warlord, with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and British Prime Minister Tony Blair as his retainers. "Is it really all right to follow Bush?" the slogan asked.

Although Japan's pacifist constitution bars it from taking an active part in any military action outside its borders, the right-wing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has been seeking ways to circumvent the constitution. He is expected to find ways to back his most important ally in the event of an attack.

Japan can get 10,000 people to show up to see a pop star's public appearance.

The only reason any country is voicing opposition to the war in Iraq is to protect its oil supplies from OPEC.

Why not ask the Kuwaitis how they feel about the pending war. They support it!

Hey, I didn't get my cut of those posters! They can't do that! Let'sa roll.

many japanese have a cultural memory of nuclear horror that they cannot and will not let go of, which is why they are protesting this mess. it would be a genocide the types of which the current generation is really aware of. that was really insensitive of you, though.