Brazilian workers hold protest march in Tokyo
The economy is in trouble, and thousands of foreigners in Japan are facing the prospect of losing their jobs. Brazilian residents, a great many of whom work in factories for companies that are drastically slashing production, are particularly vulnerable. Some have chosen to go home, but others want to stay and fight for job security:
Around 350 people, waving Brazilian flags and carrying banners reading “A chance for employment and education,” walked the 2.5 kilometers from Shimbashi to Ginza.
“I took Japanese nationality in order to try and get full-time employment to look after my children,” said one marcher living in Yokohama. “But my factory is planning job cuts in March, and if I get fired it’ll be difficult to find another job.”
The protestors aired their grievances at a meeting at the Kotsu Building in Shimbashi prior to the march, complaining that foreign workers are often the first to be fired, and that the number of children who can’t attend international schools are on the rise as parents lose their jobs.
More photos of the march can be found at NewsonJapan.com.
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