Japanese and Tibetans Protest Against China's "Tibet Exhibition"

 Tokyo: About hundred Japanese and Tibetans gathered at Tokyo Ueno Takecho Park to demonstrate against the Chinese exhibition "Tibet – Treasures from the Roof of the World" at Ueno Royal Museum. The Museum and certain Japanese media and commercial bodies in collaboration with Chinese government had organised the exhibition.

The Japanese supporters and Tibetans point of view is that the exhibition is staged by Chinese government to mislead the Japanese public and the world into believing that they are not the destroyers but the real guardian of Tibetan religious culture.

The Japanese chapter of International Alliance Against the "Tibet Exhibition" and supported by Tibet Support Groups and Tibetan community organized the demonstration. Mr. Lhakpa Tshoko, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia thanked the organizers and the participants for their sincere support and dedication toward the Tibetan cause. He said the world is well aware of the invasion of Tibet by Chinese communist force and how the 6000 monasteries were being destroyed and how peaceful and religious people of Tibet were subjected tremendous suffering.

"The exhibits and the documents at the exhibition are purposely designed to show the Chinese Government as the benevolent guardian of Tibetan culture. All the exhibits are stolen and confiscated religious and cultural objects from the Tibetan monasteries and private homes. Purpose of Exhibition Hall and Museum is to portray the truth about something that will inspire and educate people. As this exhibition does not answer to this purpose, the Museum is not doing justice to the purpose and dignity as a recognised Japanese Museum."

The speech of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's representative was well received with loud applause from the gathering. The participants came in black attire to show opposition to the exhibition and to show respect to the Tibetans who died in Tibet since 10th March last year. The participants took a silent march with Tibetan flags and banners from the Park to main Tokyo Ueno Park, the venue of the exhibition. The march course of some forty minutes passed through the main street of the city, the organisers explained about the purpose of the march and situation in Tibet through loudspeaker during the march. Many passers-by waved and raised hand in support.

On reaching Tokyo Ueno Park, the participants raised slogan of "Free Tibet". This was followed by a seminar on Tibet at Tokyo Exhibition Hall in the Park. Tibet Art Forum, one of the Tibet Support Groups organised this seminar. Representative Lhakpa Tshoko described the situation in Tibet and requested the Japanese people's support for justice and freedom in Tibet. Mr. Miyoshi, Representative of the organizers explained about the misleading nature of the current exhibition and dwelt on certain historical facts to show the propagandist nature of the exhibition.

Main speaker of the seminar, Prof Tazaki Kunihiko of Tokyo University spoke on the brief history of Tibet and its Buddhist culture and stressed on independent nature of Tibetan nationhood. He said the justice and freedom is important for all, and those who are in free country should be able to appreciate this blessing by being an active guardian of this blessing. He said to be able to do something for Tibet; it is important take interest in Tibetan history and culture. His speech was followed by questions and answers time.

Many participants expressed their satisfaction for being able to participate in the march saying that this gave them an opportunity to vent their emotion against the exhibition organisers and the Japanese collaborators. Many said that the Museum should display the Tibetan version of the history and invite representative of His Holiness to address the Museum visitors. Some Japanese said they are really sorry to the Tibetans that this kind of things is happening in Japan, which is suppose to be a free country.

The exhibition is said to last till next January, the participants and the representatives of various Tibet Support group announced that some kind of demonstrations would be carried throughout the exhibition. This was well received by audience with loud applause. Some journalists were also seen during the march and the seminars interviewing and covering the event.