Arab News Japan

TOKYO: About 100 protesters gathered in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district on Saturday to demand the restoration of a “memorial for victims of forced labor” during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea.

The monument was recently demolished by the authorities in Gunma Prefecture, arousing the indignation of North Korea. One protester pointed out that in Europe they do not destroy memorials to genocide.

Activists observed a minute of silence for victims of forced labor, sang slogans against Gunma’s governor and performed dances accompanied by speeches next to a model of the Gunma monument.

A week ago, North Korea expressed its anger at the decision to destroy the monument and demanded the restoration of the monument.

The Gunma prefectural government said it had studied the possibility of moving the monument from Gunma no Mori Park, but this was refused by the concerned parties because the new location was too far away and not convenient.

The demonstrators pointed out that the regular presence of hate groups during their demonstrations posed a threat to public order.

The demonstration attracted several trucks of Japanese nationalists from the group Kuni Mori. One of their leaders, MIZUSHIMA Satoru, said he regretted that the defenders of the monument had the opportunity to express themselves freely. The nationalist leader was eventually detained by police officers after exceeding the time allowed for his protest.