Japanese youth react to protests in China
with Peace March
The Anti-Japan Protests have been directly caused by the Japanese Government.
It’s within our power to end them and bring about peaceful relations in East Asia
Meet:
11:00 at Shiba Park Section 4 (Mita line, Onarimon Exit A6)
Depart:
11:30
Route:
Shiba Park Section 4 → Kamiyacho → (Sakurada-dori) → Toranomon → Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) → Kasumigaseki 2-chome → Nishi-saiwai Mon-mae → Hibiya Park inside of Nishi-saiwai gate (end point)
Organizer:
Peace Boat 03-3363-8047 (Nohira tel: 090-6015-6820 or Johanna tel: 090-6133-2366)
15:00 – Peace Parade Departs (Ginza course)
The international press has been effective in covering the views of the Chinese government, the Chinese people, and the Japanese government. But what about reporting what the people of Japan think? Does the Koizumi government position on China actually reflect the views held by the people of Japan? We do not believe it does.
We, members of Japan-based NGO Peace Boat, believe that the actions of the Japanese government, namely Prime Minister Koizumi and the Ministry of Education (MEXT) are directly responsible for the growing anti-Japanese sentiment in China. We ask: why is our government working so hard to make China hate us?
Rather than glossing over Japan’s wartime atrocities in our school history textbooks; rather than forgetting about the past out of our own sense of convenience; rather than ignoring the frustration and dissatisfaction that our neighbors have with us, we believe it is more appropriate and constructive to take positive steps towards improving relations with China and becoming a country that we can truly be proud of.
The Japanese government is wasting precious time trying to extract an apology from China and should be instead taking the initiative to GIVE a sincere and comprehensive apology.
We will walk the streets together this Friday in a colorful demonstration of our beliefs and will welcome members of the public to please join with us. This Friday is a golden chance for the international press to show that the people of Japan oppose textbooks that misrepresent history in East Asia; and wish for peaceful relations with our neighbors.
