TOKYO: A large gathering of Tibetans and Japanese took to the streets in Japan’s capital Tokyo to commemorate the 59th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, making a clarion call to the Chinese government to restore freedom and end repression of Tibetans in Tibet.
Marching a full course on the thoroughfare of Shinjuku city, the peaceful protesters drew attention of thousands of people, including Japanese and foreigners.
While the situation in Tibet remains critical as the Chinese government has deployed tens of thousands of military and security forces in the Tibetan areas ahead of the Tibetan national uprising day. Since 2009, 152 Tibetans have burnt themselves on fire calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.
In Tokyo, the members of the Tibetan community, Representative and staff of the Office of Tibet and Japanese gathered at Kashiwagi Park in Shinjuku city. Their peace march began with a moment of silence to mourn and to pray for all those Tibetans killed and arrested in Tibet since China’s invasion of Tibet in 1949.
Addressing the gathering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia, Mr Lungtok expressed deep concern over the critical situation in Tibet and called on the international community to give concrete support to end China’s repression in Tibet.
He urged the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue with the Tibetan leadership based on the Middle-Way Policy.
Mr Taro Kanada of the Students for a Free Tibet read out the statement of President Dr Lobsang Sangay of the Central Tibetan Administration on the occasion. Earlier in the day, a group of Tibetans and Japanese held a peace march to the Chinese embassy to urge the Chinese government to end its repressive policies in Tibet.
Carrying Tibetan national flags and banners with some Tibetans with their faces emblazoned with colourful Tibetan flags, Japanese and Tibetans marched through the main street of Shinjuku city of Tokyo, carrying Tibetans national flags, placards and chanted “Free Tibet and Human Rights in Tibet.”
The statements of President of the Central Tibetan Administration and pamphlets were distributed in the streets. Some participants have come from neighbouring prefectures despite long journey by train and bus.
– Report filed by OOT Japan –