On 11th March, grand sky-crappers and all the time busy traffic of Shinjuku, one of the major cities of Tokyo saw a stirring peaceful march of around 150 Tibetan and Japanese to commemorate the 47th anniversary of Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. This is perhaps the largest 10th March event in Tokyo. The peace march started from the Shinjuku Park. Mr. Nishioka Takashi, a Tibet Support Group member, read Japanese translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statement for the occasion.
Mr. Makino Seishu, former Member of Parliament, Convener of Japan Parliamentarians’ Group for Tibet addressed the gathering. He called upon the Chinese leadership to take the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Middle-way-approach seriously. He expressed his happiness that this time many young Japanese have also come, as this would prove crucial in continuing the Tibetan struggle for justice and peace.
The march started with a reverberating slogans seeking world’s attention to the Tibetan cause. Escorted by local police, it passed through the well known grand Yasukunidori Street and Tokyo Metropolitan building. Many passer by nodded and clapped in support of the march. The peace marchers carried the Tibetan Snow lion flags and banners, which greatly impressed and drew the local people’s attention. Leaflets on Tibetan issue were distributed; plight of the Panchen Lama was also raised. Slogans were raised both in Japanese and Tibetan. Some Tibetan and Japanese came in Tibetan outfit, chupa. The march-event, which started at 1 pm officially, ended at 3 pm at Shinjuku chuo Park with a Thanks giving speech by Ms Fujita, coordinator of the event.
The march and the events were organized by (TSNJ) Tibet Support Network Japan, a group of some fifteen major bodies in Japan supporting Tibetan cause. The participants later met at Shinjuku eco-gallery for informal get together where information and cultural exchanges took place. The participants expressed their satisfaction and urged the organizers for bigger rally next year.
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