Tokyo: On 8 March 2026, Tibetans and supporters in Japan gathered in Tokyo to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, honouring the courage and resilience of the Tibetan people and calling for peace and freedom in Tibet.

The day’s program began in the morning with a peaceful demonstration in front of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Tokyo. Tibetans, along with supporters from the Japanese and community, assembled carrying Tibetan national flags and placards highlighting the ongoing situation in Tibet. Participants raised slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and urging an end to repression and cultural genocide. They also called for the closure of Chinese colonial-style boarding schools in Tibet and advocated for non-violence, human rights, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity.

In the afternoon, participants reconvened at Shibuya Park for a peace march where Tashi Yangzom, Secretary of Tibet House Japan, delivered the opening remarks highlighted the resilience of the Tibetan people in preserving their culture and identity despite decades of hardship. She emphasised that the Central Tibetan Administration remains steadfast on the path of non-violence, dialogue, and reconciliation under the compassionate guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Through the Middle Way Approach, she said, Tibetans continue to pursue a peaceful and mutually beneficial resolution—one that upholds human dignity, protects Tibet’s unique cultural heritage, safeguards its fragile environment, and ensures genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people. Hasegawa of Tibet House Japan read the Japanese version of the speech.

Dorjee, President of the Tibetan Community in Japan, and Tenzin Paldon of Students for a Free Tibet Japan also addressed the gathering, encouraging continued international solidarity and greater youth engagement in advocating for human rights in Tibet. Fujita of Students for a Free Tibet Japan read the Japanese translation of Tenzin Paldon’s statement. The event was moderated by Taro Kanada of Students for a Free Tibet Japan.

The march drew a diverse group of Tibetans, Japanese supporters, and members of the Mongolian community, who walked through the busy streets of Shibuya carrying Tibetan flags and banners while chanting messages calling for peace and justice in Tibet. The demonstration also served to inform the public about the historical significance of 10 March and the ongoing aspirations of the Tibetan people.

Later in the afternoon, members of the Tibetan community also participated in activities marking International Women’s Day, recognizing the important role and contributions of Tibetan women in the struggle for justice, cultural preservation, and community resilience.

The commemorative events in Tokyo concluded peacefully, reflecting the Tibetan community’s commitment to non-violence and their enduring hope for a peaceful resolution and genuine autonomy for Tibet.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan