Voices against war on Iraq resound throughout nation

The Ginza, a major shopping district in Tokyo, resounded with the voices of more than 40,000 demonstrators opposing a possible attack on Iraq on the afternoon of March 8, International Women's Day.

The demonstration was organized as part of the nationwide "World Peace Now 3.8" action, held in 36 cities and supported by 170 organizations. Participants in the demonstration held colorful banners, placards, flowers and played musical instruments. They created the largest group of people to date acting on this issue.

On that day, various anti-war activities were carried out throughout Japan.

The International Women's Day Central Assembly in Tokyo was attended by about 1,300 people. Mothers, wives, and daughters, wearing mimosa on their chest, staged a protest holding banners reading, "Iraqi children's lives are as important as our children's," and "Women can make history."

In Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan, some 700 people took part in a similar assembly.

Members of seven organizations, including the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Japan Peace Committee, and the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), collected signatures in opposition to military action against Iraq in downtown Tokyo. Shopping families signed the petition which will be sent to the Prime Minister and the U.S. Embassy.

In Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Buddhists and Christians together called on residents to participate in a peace march, and attracted about 250 people.

About 200 people took part in a peace march in Oita City in Kyushu. A 20-year-old women, who learned of the march on the radio, said that she was watching young people in other countries holding anti-war demonstrations on TV and was longing to join in such an activity. (end)