Expression of Japanese support for Tibet on the 51st Tibetan National Uprising Day

Tokyo: Tibetans and Japanese supporters staged a "Peace March" in Tokyo's Roppongi street today to commemorate the 51st Anniversary of Tibetan uprising against the repression and occupation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China.

Tibetan community in Japan supported by the Tibet support groups organised the peace rally. The gathering started at Roppongi Mikawadai Park with the singing of Tibetan national anthem. In his welcome address, Kelsang Dhondup, the Tibetan community leader in Tokyo, apprised the gathering about the deteriorating condition in Tibet, and expressed his gratitude to the Japanese supporters for their overwhelming support.

Mr. Lhakpa Tshoko, Representative of Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Tibet issue is not an issue of Dalai Lama and a few people around him as the Chinese government tends to portray to the world. "His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Exile Administration has repeatedly said that the Tibet issue is about the welfare of six million Tibetans inside Tibet. It is an issue of people and its culture at the verge of extinction due to Chinese colonial policy," he said.

Mr Tshoko appealed to Japanese supporters for their "continued support and encouragement".

Mr Lungtok, deputy secretary of the Liaison Office, read out the Japanese translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message on the occasion.

Mr Makino Seishu, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Japanese Parliamentarians for Tibet, was the main speaker. He said the Tibetans have unrelentingly fought for their rights and freedom for more than fifty-one years and this has inspired many Japanese supporters.

He said although the Japanese government may not be very out coming, its stand on Tibet issue from the human rights angle is positive and supportive.

He hopes that the incumbent Japanese Prime Minister may meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in future to resolve the Tibet issue to realise improved and sincere relationship with the Chinese government.

He concluded his speech with an "assurance that Japanese people are and will always stand by the Tibetans at this critical moment of their history".

Ms Honmaru of Chibekoro of Heart of Tibet, a group by young Japanese on behalf of Japanese support groups, urged the gathering to support justice and humanity with compassion and not with anger and hatred. She said important point lies in how we can convey our message to the Chinese people in a proper way. A brief moment of silence was also observed to mourn and to pray for all those killed and arrested in Tibet during the peaceful protests since March 2008.

Japanese and Tibetans, including some westerners, marched from Mikawadai Park to Kogaikoen of Roppongi area of Tokyo, carrying Tibetans national flags, placards and chanted "Free Tibet and Human Rights in Tibet." People in the street warmly greeted the peaceful parade and showed their support by clapping. Pamphlets were distributed in the street. Some local media has also come to cover the event.

The organiser reported that some 180 people including 24 Tibetans have participated in the event.

Japanese supporters expressed appreciation that the Tibetans in Japan are coming forward to take the own initiatives and that the number of supporters is increasing. Many expressed satisfaction for having been able to participate in the event to show their support to the people in Tibet. Some participants have come from neighbouring prefectures despite long journey by train.

At he end of the march, Mr Kalsang Dhondup thanked the participants and requested for their continued support. A candle vigil was observed in the evening at Gokokuji, Buddhist Temple to pray for the people in Tibet and for world peace, in which some seventy Japanese and Tibetans participated.

(Report filed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Office of Tibet, Japan)

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