Comment on “34 years after the Tiananmen Square incident, a protest gathering held in Tokyo: “We were seeking freedom.”” [in Japanese]
On June 4, 2023, Asahi Shimbun introduced a comment by Professor Maiko Ichihara at the Graduate School of Law. She commented on the article “34 years after the Tiananmen Square incident, a protest gathering held in Tokyo: “We were seeking freedom.”” This article writes about the protest gathering in Tokyo for the Tiananmen Square incident. Student leaders of the movement, including Zhou Fengsuo, reflected on the peaceful activities that sought democracy and freedom at the time. Professor Ichihara briefly explained how governments in Asia support voluntary democratization, which expressed concerns. More specifically, she explained how the discussion does not sufficiently reflect the voices desiring freedom in the Tiananmen Square incident and authoritarian states. She evaluated the fact that a gathering is still being held in Tokyo, even after 34 years has passed, and the voice aspiring for freedom has not disappeared. Lastly, she emphasized that those of us living in democratic countries should stand with and support the people who raise their voices in pursuit of freedom.
