Masafumi Goto protests against the redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien at a rally held to honor the late musician Ryuichi Sakamoto in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward (photo by Tetsunori Sato)
On the 22nd, artists who inherited the will of Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away, held a demonstration against the cutting of trees for the redevelopment of Meiji Jingu Gaien on the street near Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.
Planned by “D2021,” an organization that considers social issues co-chaired by Sakamoto during his lifetime. Musician Masafumi Goto, a core member of the group, called out, “Don’t let celebrities such as Sakamoto and Kiyoshiro Imawano speak for themselves.”
The venue was packed with people
Writer Seiko Ito sent a message saying, “Destroying a large number of forests for the economic benefit of a limited number of people is the self-destruction of Japanese culture.”
Ms. Sakamoto’s daughter, musician Miu Sakamoto, also commented, “I sincerely hope that you will steer the course toward developing these beautiful trees and the countless lives that surround them.” Sakamoto sent a letter to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and others, appealing for a review of the redevelopment plan. (Toshi Yamaguchi)
