Tokyo Communist Anti-war Demonstration

On March 20^th, 2010 an anti-war rally under the banner of “Workers Action” was held in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Japan. The demonstrators marched through the busy streets of the Shibuya  district and ended their demonstration at a tiny park situated off of Meiji-dori along the Yamamote rail line. The protesters were jovial and peaceful. The number of demonstrators were estimated between 1000 to 1800.

Many protesters carried and wore signs that read, “We don’t need a Base”, “Stop the war”, and “Overthrow Obama”.

Demonstrators chanted to the beat of drums and whistles, “Stop the War” and “End the Alliance”.

The anti-war demonstrators mostly were comprised of the Doro-Chiba (a Japanese National Railway Union) and Zengakuren (The All Japan Federation of Students Autonomous Bodies). Both groups are known to have communist ideologies.

The Doro-Chiba union mostly played a supportive roll in the anti-war rally and demonstrated against privatization and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The demonstration was held on the seventh year anniversary of the Iraqi war.

The Zengakuren carried signs that read, “Overthrow Obama” and “Whose University? Our University!” The student carrying the “Overthrow Obama” sign when asked why he was protesting merely said: “Stop the war, down with privatization, down with capitalism”.

In recent years the Zengakuren have been in the news for arrests made at Hosei University by the Japanese Security Police. Students were allegedly arrested for handing out anti-government literature on campus. During today’s demonstration there was a minor disturbance between Zengakuren and the Security Police, which resulted in small shoving match.

On March 4^th, 2010, the Zengakuren demonstrated in Los Angels with the California ILWU 10 and the United Teachers Union in Los Angeles. The Zengakuren are also allegedly expected to demonstrate in California next weekend.

(© Robert J. Hartung III, 2010 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)