People in Japan who oppose a plan to give the nation’s military more freedom to act overseas voiced their disapproval today.

Protesters formed a human chain around Japan’s parliament to protest Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to allow what’s called “collective self-defense.”

Japan’s current peace constitution does not allow the country to aid allies under attack.

The Abe administration wants to make this possible.

Abe is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday to announce the plan.

The heads of Japan’s Social Democrat and Communist parties joined the protest.

They say collective self-defense would involve Japan in wars.

Organizers say about 25-thousand people representing 130 groups took part in today’s protest.