Anti-nuke demonstration in Shinjuku on 9/11

 
Today it was exactly 6 months after the big 2011 Tōhoku earthquake hit Japan. The most serious long-time effect of this natural disaster was the nuclear meltdown in the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Damaging several reactors beyond repair, releasing a large amount of radiation and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, this catastrophe is severely affecting the Japanese psyche and everyday life. For example, while food from the Fukushima prefecture is still being sold in supermarkets and normal life goes on outside of the 30km evacuation zone, some people start to wonder about the reactions of the Japanese national government and local authorities. Few even question the official information policies and urge the government to protect their children from radiation leaking from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

However, taking to the streets is still an extremely unusual stance and reserved for political fringe types. Demanding answers about nuclear safety issues and openly criticizing the authorities in the form of a public rally does not draw big crowds. Even in the metropolis of Tokyo the “9.11 Shinjuku Stop Nuclear Power protest!” (9.11 新宿・原発やめろデモ) was rather lightly attended, I guess about 1500-2500 people showed up. The demo route was through the busy Sunday shopping frenzy in Shinjuku. A large number of police kept the protesters in line, although incidents did happen and arrests were made.

An anti-nuke activist desperately tries to keep the police from arresting him.

Although without any real riot gear, the work of the police was only interrupted by shouting.

Japanese policemen finally arrest the exhausted anti-nuclear protester.

Another tense situation at the 'Stop Nuclear Power!' demo in Shinjuku.

Protesters struggle against policemen to avoid another arrest in Shinjuku.

Japanese policemen and anti-nuclear protesters clash in Shinjuku six months after Fukushima.

Japanese policemen forming lines to to contain the rally on its route.

The angry protesters were pretty aggressive and loud, but did not physically attack the police officers.

The police is busy trying to herd the anti-nuclear power demonstrators in Shinjuku.

'Do not buy from the manufacturers of nuclear power plants Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Hitachi!' (原子プラントメーカー - 三菱、東芝、日立 - 絶対買わにゃい！).

A masked woman protesting next to a banner at the 'Stop Nuclear Power' demo in Shinjuku.

Public anti-nuclear protests are still an mostly extreme leftist issue in Japan, as these punk activists show.

The demonstration was accompanied by a 'sound car' with punk bands playing anti-nuke songs.

The 'Stop Nuclear Power' protest march on the Yasukuni-dōri in Shinjuku.

A Japanese man injured by the police still determined to continue protesting.