Tokyo’s “Free Palestine” movement calls for global solidarity

The United Nations marked June 20 as “World Refugee Day” to celebrate the strength and courage of refugees, create awareness of the plight of people forced to flee and advocate for their right to safety. Of the many news stories about the refugee crisis that have saddened, frightened and spurred the world into action, the Palestinian refugee issue is perhaps the one that leaves the strongest impression.

Unfortunately, “Free Palestine” protests in Japan are not as active and popular as those in other countries like the United States and England due to the lack of awareness of Palestine issues among the Japanese. Here, I’d like to share the “Free Palestine” actions in Japan and hope that those who read this article will be inspired to stand up for refugees.

Various protests around Shinjuku, Tokyo

Shinjuku, the center and one of the most crowded areas in Tokyo, has been a place for protests of “Free Palestine.” Last November, a group of Palestinians held a protest with about 300 participants, who drew “red tears” on a white canvas to commemorate the more than 10,000 victims in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine. During the event, the host called out the victims’ names to show that “They all had a name, a story, a dream” just like us.

On June 22, another group held a “The Gaza Street Hospital” protest. Participants painted their bodies to look like they were bleeding and laid down at the plaza in front of Shinjuku station to demonstrate how hospitals in Gaza were in a catastrophic situation, and why we should stand up for people in Gaza.

Gaza needs your help. Protesters lying on the ground as if they were dead in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to raise awareness of the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. via @musabianpo pic.twitter.com/OSfShTXwAl

— 🇵🇸🇯🇵Thoton Akimoto (@AkimotoThn) June 22, 2024

Events to increase understanding of Palestine

On the other hand, some people hold events to promote understanding of Palestine through interacting with their culture. Tokyo Camii, the largest Mosque and largest Muslim community in Japan, held the “Palestine Day Charity Bazaar” on June 8. The event was held to support Palestine and sold traditional products, food and sweets from a diverse range of Arab countries, as well as offered lectures on the recent situation and historical background of Gaza. They hold similar events irregularly throughout the year, so you should check their website for upcoming events.

Tokyo Camii: https://tokyocamii.org/

“Amal Palestine” is an online shop that sells embroidered items made from Palestinian traditional fabric created by refugee women in Gaza, and aims to contribute to achieving world peace and giving hope to people in Gaza through social business. They also hold “Palestinian embroidery workshops” and talk shows to deepen people’s understanding of Gaza through comparison between the current situation and ordinary days there.

Also, United People, the film streaming company, regularly releases films set in Gaza. They have streamed documentaries such as “Erasmus in Gaza,” which follows an Italian medical student pursuing his dream of becoming a life-saving surgeon, and Gaza, depicting the everyday lives of Gazan citizens, rarely covered by mainstream media.

Japan’s relationship with Palestine: Building bridges of support

UNRWA announced last October its intention to establish a UNRWA base in Japan by early 2024. Although Palestine is over 9,000km away and shares no similar culture with Japan, the Japanese government has provided aid to Palestinian refugees for 70 years. I sincerely hope that this will forge an undeniable bond between our two countries, and through events like these, the psychological distance between the Japanese and Palestinians will diminish, bringing peace to Palestine.