Tokyo Global Climate Strike

Last week we attended the Tokyo Global Climate Justice Strike in Shibuya. Gathering around 5pm, the square outside of the UN school in Aoyama was filled in with all manner of students and activists carrying with them signs and optimism. As to be expected of large group activities in Tokyo, the march proceeded in a very organized manner. Police oversaw the proceedings and escorted groups of around 100 protesters through the streets, one section at a time. All told there were probably between 2,000 to 4,000 people gathered for the strike.

My wife had signed our family up for the strike and had helped our daughters make their signs for the occasion. My wife has spearheaded the charge in our household to become Zero Waste. And our daughters (and I) have been trained in how to rotely refuse plastic bags and turn down plastic straws whenever they are thrust upon us. This practice is still in the early innings in Tokyo, and usually our refusals are met with blank stares, laughs or downright confusion. Yet, inspired by my wife, we persist.

The crowd in Tokyo was international in nature. With signs in both English and Japanese, the message was paraded through the streets of fashionable Omotesando, Harajuku and Shibuya. As we walked along, we saw people camped on the sides of the street waving signs and banners of their own—increasing the feeling and conviction of an emerging movement.

Environmentalism or “eco” themed subject matter is often used as a shallow trend in Japan. They often pick up on key words like “DIY” or Eco-life” and run with them. Without getting a deep understanding about where they are coming from. The same thing happened with the Japanese appropriation of hip hop in the early 90s. The culture picked up on the aesthetics and didn’t concern itself with the nuance or message behind it. While “eco” matters have been treated in a similarly breezy manner—often triple plastic bagged—one can hope that the efforts and visibility of a movement like Climate Justice can start to make some meaningful gains.

I’m glad our young daughters could take part in such a march. Their drawings and school work often show recycling bins and plastic bags with lines through them. The simple message has been received by them. They want to save the planet. They want to help animals. It’s natural and normal for them to contribute with their words and art. And last week, they enjoyed the chance to show their signs off for the cameras in central Tokyo. They smiled knowing that people would be seeing what they came up with. And we marched proudly along side of them. One message across multiple generations.

The trickle of a climate justice movement has started flowing in Tokyo.

Below is a shirt I designed inspired by seeing my family come up with their own slogans and signs for the Climate Justice rally. Click here to view.