Representative Dr. T.G. Arya reading the Kashag`s statement. Photo Morimoto

Tokyo: Tibetans and their supporters observed the 63rd Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day in Tokyo on 12 March. The Tibetan community in Japan and Students for Free Tibet organized the event. Their members protested before the Chinese embassy and raised slogans to Free Tibet and stop repressions in Tibet. They read and submitted a written statement to the embassy.

In the afternoon, they were joined by Tibetans, Uyghurs, South Mongolians, and Japanese supporters at Hanakawado Koen in Taitoku, where a formal function was conducted, and the peace march started. Participants from faraway places like Nagoya and Mie Prefecture also came.

Representative Dr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of Liaison office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia read the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)`s statement before the gathering. He thanked the supporters for their continued support and participation in this Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice.

Mr. Nagao Takashi, former General Secretary of All Japan Parliamentarians for Tibet, addressed the gathering and expressed his and the Japanese support for the just cause of Tibet. He lamented the demise of young artiste Tsewang Norbu and called on the Chinese leadership to listen to the grievances of the Tibetan people.

Mr. Makino Seishu, former Lawmaker and Chairman of the Save Tibet Network, has sent a message which Mr. Kanada Taro of the Students for Free Tibet read. In his statement, Mr. Makino appreciated the Tibetan people`s undying and robust spirit to keep their freedom struggle alive. He urged the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the Tibetan representative to resolve the Tibet issue.

Mr. Kalden Obara, Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Japan, and Mr. Tsering Doree, Representative of the Students for Free Tibet, spoke on the importance of the Anniversary and the determination of the Tibetans to continue their struggle for freedom in Tibet. They thanked the Japanese, Uigyurs, South Mongolians, and others who attended the gathering and joined the peace march.

Tibetans sang the National Anthem and Longsho, Tibetan uprising songs. The peace march started from Hanakawado park and marched through Asakusa street. Slogans were raised to Free Tibet and stop killings in Tibet. The Asakusa street and the people saw the colorful Tibetan national flags and the Japanese, Uigyur, and South Mongolian flags. The volunteers distributed the Central Tibetan Administration`s statement and other Tibet-related papers to the passerby.

Filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan

Mr. Nagao Takashi, former Secretary of All Japan Parliamentary group for Tibet addressed the gatherings. Photo Morimoto

Tibetan community and the Students for Free Tibet Members protesting before the Chinese embassy. Photo N.Nakoda

Peace march before the famous Asakusa Sensoji Temple. Photo Morimoto

Peace march on Asakusa street, Tokyo. Photo Morimoto