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Hi, it’s Mizuki.
It has been 2 weeks since I came back to Japan!
I have been facing “reverse” cultural shocks and I found I cannot adjust to this “new environment” easily like before…maybe I got old.
Moreover, it had been raining the whole day last week which made me stay at my apartment. Too bad.
Finally rain stopped this week, and I am feeling a little bit freer. Hahaha.
So, this Monday, September 26 was the 2 months anniversary after Sagamihara Stabbings.
I attended the memorial service in House of Councillors’ hall in Tokyo, and joined the march afterwards.
For the memorial service, about 300 people came from all over Japan. Some are members of House of Councillors, including Ms. Eriko Imai who is a singer and has a son with hearing impairment, also attended the memorial service.
Those members of House of Councillors, disability organizations, and supporters gave their personal messages one by one, and we all agreed to “eliminate a separation between people with and without disabilities, and make an inclusive society in education, employment, and community living.”
In the room, there were 19 different colors and designs of candles and flowers in box which represent that each person of the 19 people who were killed in Tsukui Yamayuri-en, Sagamihara.
They had lives with different personalities, hopes and dreams.
After the memorial service, all attendees moved to Hibiya Park. Each participant prepared a message board to express their opinion to the society.
Also, each person held their favorite flowers during march to express that each person is a different human being and having diversity is very important.
The march started from Nishi-Saiwai gate of Hibiya Park.
We walked about 1 hours to Tokyo station via Ginza which is one of the most crowded business and shopping area in Tokyo.
This area is quite busy with a lot of cars. I was little nervous because, of course, I have never walked in driveway in Tokyo before.
However I felt special that I could see the city and walking people with different direction.
While marching, we called the 5 statements:
- Let’s protect everyone’s life and respect!
- We are unique!
- Diversity is power of society!
- Let’s make a society where no one left behind!
- Let’s make a inclusive society where everyone can live together!
Actually I joined the march of National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) conference in July in the U.S.
Compared to the march…I guess that Japanese people showed less reaction toward us.
It might be because Japanese people are not used to see this kind of march or just do not care as much…
Well, a good thing is that major media companies such as NHK or Asahi Shimbun (newspaper) came to cover both the memorial service and march and to interview people.
In that night, I found TV news broadcasting this event and delivered the messages from attendees with disabilities. I really liked it!
It is not easy to get attention from the society and to change people’s mind.
Each action like this memorial service and march would spread our message a little further to more people.
That also would lead to raise awareness and make more inclusive society in reality.
Not to repeat same kind of tragic stabbings ever again, people with disabilities should take initiative and continue advocacy works.