Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2012 July 11 - 17 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

170,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators rally in central Tokyo

“Don’t restart the Oi plant!” “No more nuclear power plants!” – the rhythmical shouts of 170,000 demonstrators echoed through Tokyo’s busy shopping streets on the holiday afternoon, despite temperatures rising to more than 33 Degrees Celsius.

Before marching in demonstration, they took part in a rally named “Goodbye to nuclear power plants”. The rally was called for by 9 celebrities, including Nobel literature laureate Oe Kenzaburo and musician Sakamoto Ryuichi, and held on July 16 at Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park.

At the rally, with speeches from the rally’s initiators, live musical performances, and a talk relay live, there were many couples pushing their babies in strollers, families with young children, and throngs of young people.

A participant from Nagoya City, who heard about the rally on Twitter, said, “There is a big difference between viewing anti-nuclear power demonstrations on websites and actually taking part in them.”

Appealing to the participants, Sakamoto in his speech said, “I’m here as a citizen. To endanger children’s lives for electricity should be prevented. Life is more precious than money.”

Chartering 26 buses, more than 1,000 people came from Fukushima to attend the rally.

A 76-year-old woman who lives in a temporary house in Fukushima’s Nihonmatsu City after being forced to evacuate from her hometown Namie in the prefecture said, “Prime Minister Noda said, ‘I decided to restart the Oi nuclear power plant under my responsibility.’ I don’t want him to talk about the restart lightly. We, Fukushima accident victims, have no prospect of returning to our homes. I will raise my voice against nuclear power generation for the rest of my life.”

Many unions affiliated with the pro-nuclear power Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) also took part in the rally. These unions and member unions of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo), both worked hard for the success of the rally.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, together with Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayosi and other JCP parliamentarians, attended the rally.

On the same day, in concert with the Tokyo’s rally, many actions seeking a halt to nuclear power generation took place at various locations across the country.

In Osaka, members of the New Japan Women’s Association stood in front of Osaka Station and collected signatures from citizens supporting the withdrawal from nuclear power generation.

In Fukuoka City, an organizing committee consisting of the JCP, labor unions, and individuals held a rally with about 3,000 participants. After the rally, the participants marched in demonstration to the headquarters of Kyushu Electric Power Co.