Mr. Iiyama (right) and Mr. Shirakawa collecting signatures for the continuation of the memorial monument in Maebashi City.
Regarding the memorial monument for Korean workers in Takasaki City’s prefectural park “Gunma no Mori,” the prefecture is planning to remove it through administrative agency from the 29th, and various organizations and political parties have submitted requests for its removal. Signatures were submitted one after another to the prefecture.
On the 26th, Yuki Iiyama and Asako Taki, who are active as artists in Tokyo, submitted 4,317 signatures to the prefecture calling for the continuation of the plan. Since the 24th, an appeal has been made on social networking sites (SNS), and supporters have gathered, including approximately 800 artists including Yoshitomo Nara.
The two have also exhibited their work at the Prefectural Museum of Modern Art in Gunma no Mori. Taki explained why he started the signature campaign, saying, “Memorial monuments are wonderful as outdoor works, and they also have cultural significance.” Iiyama said, “I cannot accept that freedom of expression is being disrespected.”
Yoshio Shirakawa (76) of Maebashi City, whose three-dimensional work with a memorial monument as a motif was removed from the museum in 2017, was also a supporter. Referring to the movement to remove words such as “forcibly taken away” from monuments in various places, he said, “I feel a sense of crisis at the current situation where removal is progressing without many people knowing.”
On the 25th, the Social Democratic Party submitted a request for a suspension of proxy execution. Secretary-General Ryoichi Hattori visited the memorial monument before submitting the proposal. He said, “The monument is in a very good location, and I felt it was very valuable.Removing it would be a negative thing for promoting friendship with Asia.”
The Gunma District of the United Church of Christ in Japan also submitted a statement saying, “As a Christian church that desires peace and coexistence, this cannot be overlooked.” “Countries are divided and conflicts continue.Now is the time to recognize differences and connect people.” (Kazutaka Hamono)
2024-01-27 23:02:27
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