TOXIC
FREE ASIA TOUR
The SV Rainbow Warrior Tour in Asia |
|
TOUR
LOGBOOK 16 April 2000 - The role of NGO's in Japanese Society The role of NGO's (non governmental organizations) in Japanese society is different than in other developed countries. This is an important fact to note against the background of the tour of the Rainbow Warrior this month. Unlike in the other developed countries where the work of NGO's is seen not only as important, but vital. In Japan this recognition is not yet apparent. In a population of over 120 million people the biggest NGO (Wild Bird Conservancy) has 50,000 supporters. The biggest international NGO in Japan is WWF with 40,000 supporters. More critical international organisations like Amnesty International and Greenpeace only have respective 8,000 and 5,000 supporters. In that sense the difficulties currently facing the activists of Greenpeace in Japan have to be seen in a wider context that faces the NGO sector in society. In addition the Japanese legal structure is complicated in in a sense reflecting the unease of Japanese society with NGO's. In addition the police and judicial system in Japan hold very strong sway. However, as Japanese society s changing in recent years, so is the Japanese law albeit slowly. Last year in 1999 three Greenpeace activists were arrested after hanging a large banner against PVC toys at the Tokyo Toy Fair. After their arrest they were held in prison for eleven days before finally being fined and released. In relation to this arrest the police entered the Greenpeace office in Tokyo and confiscated equipment in relation to the international Greenpeace campaign against PVC toys and administration files (information on supporters and finances). Police also raided the home of the Executive Director of Greenpeace in Japan. With the arrival of the Rainbow Warrior in Japan it will be interesting to watch to what extent Japan welcomes Greenpeace. Again banners are likely to be hung as they were hung at the Tokyo Toy Fair, alongside other activities like open boats. It seems safe to say that the way in which the Japanese legal system will react to the presence of activists inside the country standing up for respect of people and reverence of the earth. These are the core ingredients of any peaceful Greenpeace campaign, and at the same time the basis of true Buddhism. For more info on the legal system in Japan visit Amnesty's page on Japan
|
