Ginza rally

sadly not many people take to the streets. Japanese society is so passive.

good on them

Blimey, that's some sour-faced women there. Good to see someone kicking up a bit of a noise, though. Though even here it seems it's necessary to add kawaii characters to the point they're trying to make.

Agitator 1: Right sisters, we're gathered here to protest government inaction, fiscal stagnation and threats to our jobs.

Agitator 2: Very well, Sister Yamaguchi, I'm going to need embroidery figurines of a tiger, a mouse, a cute little bunny rabbit and a lickle monkey.

Agitator3; Ill need the money and time to create it all as well

Fancy protesting the governments inaction with a whole lot of action that will only have zero results

Those moo-cow pyjamas used to be quite popular with the kiddies. Not often you see them in grown-up sizes, but being all-in-ones I imagine they're very warm in winter.

"the government's inaction on the economy"

As if the government has some magical power to create a booming economy.

For God's sake, don't depend on the government for stuff.

No, you're probably right Sarge. That's what democracy's all about, eh? The Freedom to say nothing and do as you're told. Yep, that smells worth fighting for.

Today is Sunday, day-off! Nobody wants to demonstrate on streets. People prefers to enjoy time at other places. Government is doing something on economy for people but LDP's action is just too slow to decide and proceed.

sadly most people will be trying to recover from yet another sleep-deprived weep, so i assume these are housewife types. in which case double thumbs up to them for resisting the mundanity and making a stand

Looks like UNIQLO ad, festive mood, celebrating spring season !

I think they are supposed to be cows.

The banner they are holding looks like a story quilt, used by non-literate cultures except this one includes a written narrative. Note the bear with the arrow pointing to the character for "out" (used to mark exits in buildings). I can't read the rest.

Oh the irony ! Years ago the Japanese government interfered in US shipments of American beef citing one ridiculous reason after another. The result was the shutting down of a multi billion dollar industry affecting ranchers, distributors, and restaurants on both sides of the pacific. Now the Japanese have taken to the streets to moan and complain about the state of their economy. Gee, I can think of thousands of jobs basically eliminated, downsized, or negatively interfered with here in Japan. In this world you reap what you sow ! You gotta sleep in the bed you make. Sorry Japan, your government is a reflection of you the people, myopic, distant, and selfish. Deal with it ! Moo !

Dear Japan Today, It would be nice if you could give more of an explanation to go along with this photo than simply, "A group protests the government’s inaction on the economy and job issues in Ginza." Who are these people? Do they belong to an organization? Why are they wearing cow kigurumi outfits?

もう我慢も限界、みんな 出番 だよ mo- gaman mo genkai, minna deban da yo means Right, we've had enough, now it's our turn.

The little chicken is saying コケコッコー、もうケッコウ　（kokekokko, mo- kekko) translates as Cockadoodle doo, that's quite enough, but loses the cuteness of the animal sounds.

The placard round the neck of the lady on the left says, 均等待遇を実現しろ kinto taigu wo jitsugen shiro - We want equal pay.

Cleo, Thanks! I could get the gist from the kanji, but thanks for the complete narrative.

Philmoscowitz -

I think they're dressed as cows because 2009 is the Year of the Ox (the animals on the banner are the 12 animals of the calendar, and Betzee's bear is a dog), plus the sound the cow makes (mo- in Japanese) is also the sound Japanese people make when they want to complain.

Yes, Cleo, you're right. The animals are all in the lunar zodiac (including the dragon).

the sound the cow makes (mo- in Japanese) is also the sound Japanese people make when they want to complain.

And don't I know it...

Hey Fordtuff, nice post.

Cleo,

I'm going to download this photo. From time to time I've been involved in developing tests to assess cultural competency along the lines of "what do you see going on in this photo?" There's a lot here, enough to rank the responses on a scale.

They look kind of sad :( I wish they could cheer up :(

But right on protest!! Some one has to take it to the streets and stand up for what they believe on!

On the front page of the NYT's there a photo of "imported [Japanese] vehicles sit[ting] at the Port of Newark, waiting for their turn to gather dust at dealerships. Toyota Motor is starting to feel the downturn that has hobbled its American counterparts." This is not unconnected to the photo here. Perhaps it could be incorporated in the story quilt narrative.

Moooooo.... Why wait for the cash cows to come home when they can start their very own bovine costume company?

The way things are going, they better start sewing tiger costumes. I don't think the global economic downturn will be over by the time we usher in the "Year of the Tiger" in 2010.

but for me is not like a real protest but a funny protest and not about economy but about the cow is that right minna.