International Women’s Day celebrated in Tokyo

International Women’s Day was celebrated in Tokyo on March 8 with a rally held under the theme: Women of the world, unite to eliminate social disparities and poverty, and defend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution as the world’s treasure.

About 1,200 people attended the rally and later walked in demonstration through downtown Tokyo.

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Japan Federation of Women’s Organizations (Fudanren) Chair Horie Yuri said, “Let us make Japanese women’s call for the defense of Article 9 heard throughout Asia and the rest of the world.”

Journalist Tsutsumi Mika spoke about poverty and social gaps in the United States and emphasized the importance of passing to children the Japanese Constitution’s Article 9, which represents the hope and yearning of the world.

Women workers, farmers, and small-business owners appeared on the stage holding banners.

Making an appearance in light blue jumpers, members of an organization of construction workers’ wives in Tokyo said, “Thanks to the efforts by each one of our members, all our branches have established their respective women’s Article 9 associations and collected 112,000 signatures in defense of the Constitution.”

The rally received many messages of support, including one from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Committee Vice Chair Tamura Tomoko was among the guest speakers.

- Akahata, March 9, 2008