18 September: Watashi no Mirai marches for the world’s climate future

The newly-formed network “Watashi no Mirai,” “Fridays For Future Tokyo,” which has been tackling climate issues since 2019, and the “Goodbye Nuclear Power 10 Million Action,” spearheaded by noted personalities such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, have banded together. Their unified mission aims to promote a fair society, one that is deeply rooted in environmental consciousness.

With preparations nearly complete, the collaboration will feature a variety of initiatives including live music, networking events, and an upbeat parade, making it easy for anyone to participate. The series of events will culminate with participation in the “UN Climate Ambition Summit 2023,” set to kick off in New York on September 20. To bolster this international effort, a concentrated promotion period will run from September 18 to 25, focusing on the UN Information Center’s campaign “1.5°C Promise – Let’s Act Now to Stop Global Warming.”

Beyond Tokyo, similar initiatives are set to unfold in other major Japanese cities including Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, underscoring the nationwide scale of this activism.

The Tokyo event, slated for September 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will be held at Yoyogi Park Zone B, featuring an open-air stage and a series of booths. There is a ministage would will have an open mic on stage for any participant to speak. Organizers have issued guidelines for attendees, urging the use of reusable dishes for a nominal fee of 100 yen and encouraging participants to bring their own cups, plates, and cutlery. As a nod to the scorching summer temperatures, participants are also advised to take adequate precautions against heatstroke.

The main stage will host several live talks, tackling pressing issues from nuclear energy, to human rights, to citizen activism and the future of climate change movements. Among the day’s highlights will be a parade, slated to begin at 3:30 p.m., designed to offer a jubilant yet thoughtful procession advocating for environmental stewardship. Note that there are two parades. Shibuya Parade, which will be the colorful parade in terms of slogans and music. English call-outs will be available too. Shinjuku Parade will toned down, as the organizers realized an increase in older participants, while hoping it would double as a interaction opportunity for the particpants with experience.

Join the climate action!

Even if you are not able to make it to the above event, there are multiple climate action happening around Japan. Here is event list, accurate as of 11 September.

Hokkaido

Date: 18 September 5 pm~
Location: Sapporo Chuo-ku Odori Nishi 1, under the TV Tower in Odori Park
Content: Climate march
Contact: Email contact (available on webpage)

Nagano – STAY COOL KARUIZAWA

Date: 17~18 September
Location: Murasaki Sports Karuizawa Store
Action: Photo action, E-bike touring (Climate march)
Contact: Email contact (available on webpage)

Kanagawa

Date: 18 September 2:15 pm ~ 3 pm
Location: In front of Aikawa Town Cultural Hall
Action: Standing demonstration
Contact: Email contact (available on webpage)

Tokyo – Talk Session with Takahisa Taniguchi – Discussing Climate Crisis to Children

Date: 17 September 2 pm ~ 5 pm
Location: Shimouma Community Center 14:00-15:30, Kono Kami Park 15:30-17:00
Action: Talk session, Climate march
Details: Facebook page

Shizuoka – “Climate Change in Everyday Conversation” – Watashi no Mirai Solidarity Action

Date: 18 September 2 pm ~
Location: LUSH Shizuoka Store
Action: Movie screening & mini Climate Change lecture, Standing demonstration
Details: Link

Nagoya

Date: 16 September 11 am ~ 2 pm
Action: Standing demonstration, study session
Details: Instagram Account

Osaka

Date: 18 September 4:30 pm ~ 6 pm
Location: In front of Osaka City Central Public Hall (Old Nakanoshima Public Hall)
Action: Standing demonstration
Registration Form: Google Form
Details: Link

Kyoto

Date: 18 September 10 am ~ 6:15pm
Location: Kinkakuji 10:00-11:00, Kyoto Tower 15:00-16:00, Shijo Kawaramachi 16:45-17:15, Patagonia Kyoto Store 17:30-18:15
Action: Standing demonstration, Relay talk, and more
Details: Link

Okayama

Date: 18 September 4 pm ~ 5 pm
Location: In front of Okayama Station Sun Station
Action: Standing demonstration
Details: Twitter

Hyogo

Date: 18 September 2 pm ~ 2:30 pm
Location: Nada Hama Green Area
Action: Photo action, Speech
Details: Link

Ehime

Date: 18 September 1:30 pm~
Location: In front of Iyotetsu Matsuyama City Station
Action: Standing demonstration
Details: Facebook page

Fukuoka – The Earth is in Danger, Everybody Assemble! – Aiming for 100% Renewable Energy and a Fair Society

Date: 18 September 2 pm ~ 3:45 pm
Location: Kego Park
Action: Climate march
Details: Instagram link

Oita – Our Future, The Time to Act is Now!

Date: 18 September 11 am ~ 12 pm
Location: In front of Oita Station North Exit, in front of JR Hotel Blossom Oita
Action: Standing action
Contact: Email contact (available on webpage)

Okinawa 1

Date: 18 September 9 am ~ 11:30 am
Location: Okinawa Prefecture Yomitan Village Sename 912-1
Action: Movie screening, Climate Change lecture by Moe Miyajima
Details: Instagram link

Okinawa 2

Date: 19 September 19:00-20:30
Location: Online (Zoom)
Action: Climate Change lecture by Moe Miyajima
Details: Instagram link