November 5, 2012
On November 4 in Fukushima Prefecture, about 1,000 young people from around the country held a rally to achieve a society free from nuclear power and ensure the security of youth employment and well-being.
At the rally, Fukushima residents talked about their experiences since the nuclear disaster. A high school student said she had to flee from one place to another after the nuclear accident. A woman with her daughters aged one and three said that she is negotiating with the prefectural government for a reduction or exemption of medical fees, and expressed her determination to work to free Japan from nuclear power.
Misao Redwolf, an activist of the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes (MCAN), delivered a speech in solidarity. The MCAN has taken a lead in the weekly Friday night protests in front of the prime minister’s office since March. The protest attracted up to 200,000 people in June. In concert with the MCAN action, more than 100 protests are held in cities around the country every Friday. She said she is deeply impressed with the growing protests as she had never expected it, and called on the audience to further promote national solidarity.
Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kami Tomoko also delivered a speech. She pointed out that in order to achieve a Japan without nuclear power, it is essential to push back against the pressure from the Japanese business world and the U.S. government. “Let’s promote the people’s united efforts further, and create a powerful surge in the movement,” said Kami, and promised that the JCP will do its utmost to work with movement activists.
After the rally, the participants marched down the street calling for the abolition of nuclear power.
A 37 year-old man from the Kyushu region who had driven for 16 hours to take part in the rally, said, “I participated in a workshop in the rally and learned about nuclear reactor workers’ terrible working conditions. I will inform my friends about the nuclear workers’ situation.”
At the rally, Fukushima residents talked about their experiences since the nuclear disaster. A high school student said she had to flee from one place to another after the nuclear accident. A woman with her daughters aged one and three said that she is negotiating with the prefectural government for a reduction or exemption of medical fees, and expressed her determination to work to free Japan from nuclear power.
Misao Redwolf, an activist of the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes (MCAN), delivered a speech in solidarity. The MCAN has taken a lead in the weekly Friday night protests in front of the prime minister’s office since March. The protest attracted up to 200,000 people in June. In concert with the MCAN action, more than 100 protests are held in cities around the country every Friday. She said she is deeply impressed with the growing protests as she had never expected it, and called on the audience to further promote national solidarity.
Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kami Tomoko also delivered a speech. She pointed out that in order to achieve a Japan without nuclear power, it is essential to push back against the pressure from the Japanese business world and the U.S. government. “Let’s promote the people’s united efforts further, and create a powerful surge in the movement,” said Kami, and promised that the JCP will do its utmost to work with movement activists.
After the rally, the participants marched down the street calling for the abolition of nuclear power.
A 37 year-old man from the Kyushu region who had driven for 16 hours to take part in the rally, said, “I participated in a workshop in the rally and learned about nuclear reactor workers’ terrible working conditions. I will inform my friends about the nuclear workers’ situation.”
