Ten Thousand Things
Multicultural Webfinds

"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

"A Power No Government Can Suppress" – Japanese Unionists' May Day Support of Article Nine & Workers' Rights

"Truth has a power of its own. Art has a power of its own. That age-old lesson—that everything thing we do matters—is the meaning of the people’s struggle here in United States and everywhere. A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think. When we organize with one another, when we get involved, when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress." —Howard Zinn


Martin Frid's great blog on environmental and consumer news, KURASHI NEWS FROM JAPAN, and his shared blog, METROBLOGGING TOKYO, has great photos, background, and remarks about the 42,000 demonstrators participating in May Day in Tokyo...

(from Kurashi News from Japan)

"I passed the May Day parade in Tokyo today and took a few photos. Union members are demanding higher minimum wage and more stable employment to fight the income gap and the problem of the so-called "working poor" who are struggling with low wages. I was also impressed by the banners and floats aiming to protect Article 9 of Japan's Peace Constitution, that renounces war. 42,000 people participated in the events in Tokyo today."

(from Metroblogging Tokyo)

"NHK reports that about 42,000 people gathered at a rally in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park today. I walked past their parade around noon and tried to take some photos.

"In spite of the drizzle the mood seemed to be really good, with banners and floats demanding workers' rights and also showing the union's support for Article 9 of Japan's Peace Constitution.

"This was the 78th May Day event held in Japan.

"The rally today was organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions:

"The union's chairman, Mitsuo Bannai, called for a much higher minimum wage and more stable employment to fight the income gap and the problem of the so-called "working poor" who are struggling with low wages. A nurse at the rally said her wage has been going down and she can't take as many holidays as she likes. Many other labor unions also held rallies or marches on Tuesday, while Japan's largest labor organization, Rengo, which backs the Democratic Party, staged its May Day rally on Saturday.

"Oh yes, and after the rally, they all got seriously drunk and a great time was had by all."

Previous ........... Next
Back to Ten Thousand Things index page...