Protest

and what? are they gonna power our homes and workplaces with their good intentions and whistles?

People like this really grind my gears. Complaining about problems but offering no tangible solutions.

Nevertheless himehentai, commoners marching in the streets and making their voices heard is something this country desperately needs. Next I want to see 10s of thousands of people marching on govt buildings demanding a better job be done.

Anime version of the protest.

What we need is for people to work hard and rebuild Japan, not walk around beating drums. Why should I work 14 hour days while these people walk around?

sengoku; maybe you have to work 14 hour days due to a lack of protest at working hours/conditions in Japan. Think about it a bit and then you may see why the right to protest are good for us all.

It is very understandable that those who suffered directly from the fukushima incident (those who had to leave their homes behind due to radiation) will be angry and never want to see something like fukushima repeat itself. Its easy and stupid to demand that people just go on with their lives like nothing happened.

Why should I work 14 hour days while these people walk around?

This was on a Saturday. People's right to protest is fundamental. They should express their opinions should they want to.

That group does a lot of regular protests in that area.

Lady in the pic looks very familiar, reminds me of my sons previous school teacher.

Let them protest but as others have said would be happier if they came up with some solutions rather than saying we are against xyz. Which seems to be common with many people they are against things and that is how far it goes.

Zenny11

would be happier if they came up with some solutions rather than saying we are against xyz

Can't you see, they have. It must be wind power because that's about all these people are producing, a bunch of hot air...

Sorry, but got to ROFL.

Any of you pro-nukes live in the high radiation zones?

"People like this really grind my gears. Complaining about problems but offering no tangible solutions" -

I feel your pain but what exactly are you basing your statement(s) on. I'm not an expert on this issue but after a simple Internet search I've found a number of anti-nuke organizations and advocates in Japan with clearly stated alternatives, including those that participated in this march. Two organizations on the net with links to others include 57nonukes and shirouto. A couple of well known and outspoken anti-nuclear power advocates might include Hirose Takashi or Hiroaki Koide. Then of course their is an entire industry (including Panasonic, etc.) making solar power generators, wind turbines and more that have lots of alternative solutions maybe some of their engineers were even marching on Saturday.

Any of you pro-nukes live in the high radiation zones?

According to some here the entirety of Honshu is a high radiation zone.

Hey, at least they are making an effort to lobby for change, unlike people sitting at home with a cup of coffee and reading JT. And Japan desperately needs a more volatile element in its populace to combat the stoic shrug that usually comes as the conclusion of serious discussions here.

And who knows - their conviction might sway the mind of someone on the fence who goes on to create helpful changes. That's what it is for.

I have no problem with people exercising their right to protest.... but do they really need to blow whistles and bang drums? That is just annoying and doesn't really serve any purpose to their cause.

does anyone think it's amazing they don't get on TV news ? (I haven't seen them there... is TV news linked to TEPCO / nuke ?)

do they really need to blow whistles and bang drums

it's Japanese culture, how about the twits who drive around in the mornings wanting you to pay them to pick up your gomi, with that recording playing OVER and OVER and OVER... and does anyone buy WARA-BIIII-MOCHI ?

koriyamaboy

Any of you pro-nukes live in the high radiation zones?

You mean like this woman from Musashino? I hear that area's glowing green it's so bad these days...

Do they think dressing as clowns gives them more credibility?

There are the idiots that run TEPCO, then there are these idiots protesting and then there is reality sandwiched somewhere out there but never heard. Listen closely and those voices were there long before this whole mess started March 11, 2011.

Power to them, I wish they were more active before March 11th, Japan was all about no atomic weapons but turned a blind eye to their power.

where are those anti nuclear slogans ,placards? it looks like people of northern workers union protest for more pay or something.

**WilliB at 04:26 PM JST - 29th May

Do they think dressing as clowns gives them more credibility?**

ROFL!!

It's sad to see the comments here denigrating the protesters.

I think these comments are mainly from Americans, many of whom seem to have forgotten the value of demonstrations and protests as a part of the checks and balances that make a democracy healthy.

Perhaps they have been brainwashed during Bush years by all the nonsense about the "war on terror". I get the impression that as a result of this brainwashing many Americans now equate demonstrations with subversiveness or even regard any kind of demonstrator as a traitor or terrorist.

I say, well done protesters! You have got out there in the bad weather and made your point... much better than us armchair pundits here at JT.

Please remember people (especially Tea Party type Americans) that protests and demonstrations help energize a democracy, whether you agree with them or not.

Which seems to be common with many people they are against things and that is how far it goes

If people weren't "against things," many societies would still have slavery, genocide, war, etc., etc.

How dare citizens, whose taxes keep the system afloat, be against things that are bad and dangerous.

It are not the things themselves that are dangerous,but the people who act irresposibly,like politicians that let the powercompanies run reactors that are not safe anymore or politicans that refuse to cooperate to help their own people in a time of disaster.Also those guys who try to oust the prime minister in a time when all should unify their powers to get the country going again.

I think these comments are mainly from Americans, many of whom seem to have forgotten the value of demonstrations and protests as a part of the checks and balances that make a democracy healthy.

Japanese national here, sorry to disappoint you.

Nuclear reactors are Dangerous, Obvisouly BUT many people in MANY countries dont think of the Danger till something Bad happens. I agree with them Get rid of them & we (USA) should do the same thing. just makes more sense to me to have a Safer way of Energy.

Do your thing without hating on others. Public protest is a right and is a peaceful method for change. You both have your points. Agree that you disagree. Ganbatte Japan!!