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Anarchy in Tokyo

Anarchy in Tokyo 2005-09-22

A lone Japanese anarchist finds himself surrounded by older women shoppers. Anarchy in Japan is like tuna salad at a sushi bar (consumed by a few but mostly disregarded). Despite enjoying his predicament in this photo, I'd probably enjoy talking with this guy.

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  • Hmmm... the women on the right seems to have noticed him. I think she's admiring his shirt.
    Dasone @ 2005-09-22 17:41:08
  • Nice catch ... thanks for the explanation.
    AJ @ 2005-09-22 21:35:50
  • this boy is my god
    ale @ 2005-09-30 12:46:49
  • I like it it's funny yet smart
    Gotz @ 2006-11-05 15:53:37
  • He doesnt even know what that shirt says
    Me @ 2007-01-13 16:47:22
  • Anarchy is rare in Japan... oooh risque

    maybe because they are all actually.... nm
    Taylor @ 2007-02-26 17:19:54
  • I bet he doesn't even realize what his shirt means. The Japanese are incredibly capitalist and consumist... He just bought the shirt because he liked it.
    KamiSilver @ 2007-05-06 03:14:29
  • KamiSilver - Maybe, although symbols like that are understandable in Japan just as they are in the USA or elsewhere. As for Japanese buying a shirt like this because they are consumeristic, it seems like an appropriate moment to add that the same is true in the USA and elsewhere. Symbols = Style = Identity for sale. Rich kids have always had the "best" punk/hippie clothes.
    Andy @ 2007-05-07 15:48:13
  • You may be right, KamiSilver, but not only is it common in the U.S. too, but we don't know what is going on in other peoples' lives, I am pretty sure you have done things that people have interpreted falsely. Especially from a picture.
    Jeff @ 2007-09-02 07:59:38
  • In Japan and china it is very risky to be an anarchist but this guy is proud to be an individuum !! I see it in his face. I don´t think that he doesn´t knows the meaning of ANARCHY!!! He wants to show everbody that he´s an anarchist!
    jack @ 2007-09-03 04:26:43
  • From wikipedia:
    Anarchism was an influential movement in Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries. The anarchist movement was influenced by World War I and World War II, in which Japan played a major role. The anarchist movement in Japan can be divided into three phases: from 1906-1911, from 1912-1936 and from 1945-present day.

    Anarchist idea in Japan was first popularised by Kotoku Shusui. He moved to Tokyo in his teens. He was imprisoned in 1904 for breaking a press law. In prison he read Peter Kropotkin's Fields, Factories and Workshops. Following his release from prison he emigrated to the USA. There he joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). After returning to Japan in 1906, he spoke to a large public meeting, held on 28 June 1906 in Tokyo, on the ideas he had developed while in the US. A number of articles then followed. He wrote, "I hope that from now on the socialist movement will abandon its commitment to a parliamentary party and will adapt its method and policy to the direct action of the workers united as one".

    In the following years the anarchist-communists concentrated on spreading information about anarchism by producing of oral and written propaganda. The condition in which they operated was very difficult. Facing continuous harassment by police, some anarchists considered turning to more violent methods.

    In 1926 two nationwide federations of anarchists were formed. The anarchist movement in the following years were characterised by intense debate between anarchist- communists and anarchist syndicalists. During Invasion of Manchuria, the state began to silence internal opposition. A new wave of repression ensued. Although the anarchist movement adopted many strategies to survive, the state was determined to succeed. With the beginning of the World War II, all anarchist organisations in Japan were forced to shut down. The anarchists had to maintain a low profile, hiding their political view from the public.

    After the end of the war, Japan was under the effective rule of the United States. Heavy investment and a rapidly growing economy were accompanied by a clamp down on trade union autonomy. Although the anarchists re-organised, they found it difficult to flourish in these conditions.

    Today the anarchist movement is much smaller than before. There are a few websites by anarcho-syndicalists and anarcho-communists, and some small collectives active in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.
    jordan @ 2008-02-20 16:38:23
  • its so ignorant to say that there is no Japanese anarchists, if you take a closer look to japan then you will so loads of crusties and anarchists, just because japan is highly developed and almost 90% of the people are capitalist and consumerist does not mean there aren't any anarchists in japan and that japanese people do not know much about anarchy like in U.S,U.K or any other European or such countries.

    but i hardly think that this guy is an anarchist.
    shiro @ 2008-03-30 07:14:33
  • its so ignorant to say that there is no Japanese anarchists, if you take a closer look to japan then you will so loads of crusties and anarchists, just because japan is highly developed and almost 90% of the people are capitalist and consumerist does not mean there aren't any anarchists in japan and that japanese people do not know much about anarchy like in U.S,U.K or any other European or such countries.

    but i hardly think that this guy is an anarchist.
    shiro @ 2008-03-30 07:15:17
  • I thought Punk created Anarchy
    Michael @ 2008-04-21 07:41:46
  • Anarchy or Punk culture are like 0.09% in Japan but its good to see them
    tusiba @ 2008-04-28 06:47:19
  • What a clean t-shirt. What a posh area to be in, the heck is he doing there?! I suspect he's not an anarchist, but then, who's to say?
    Mozaki @ 2009-02-27 02:19:23
  • Woot Anarcho-capitalism!
    Big L @ 2009-08-20 11:04:06
  • looks more like a pretty boy with a fancy circle-a tshirt on than a true red n black. that shirt is a freakin fashion statement. anarchist! please........!!!!!!!
    andrew askultura @ 2010-01-26 07:08:43


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