International Performance Art Festival
24 Feb. 2011
ARAI
Shin-ichi (Japan)
"Happy Japan!"
Almost 7 years ago Japanese diet decided what are
Japanese flag and Japanese anthem in the law. Before there was no law
for Japanese flag and the national anthem. Now in some school
ceremonies like graduation, People should show Japanese flag and sing
the national anthem. And sometimes teachers and students who do not
like to respect the flag and sing the national anthem in the ceremony
are punished by the director because of the law now.
Before there was some agreement among people with
Japanese flag was symbol of militarism and the anthem celebrate the Emperor in spite of them not agreeing.
As a member of Japan Overseas Cooperate Volunteers I
lived Zanzibar, Tanzania from '92 to '94 and I taught wood block
printing to Zanzibar young artists at the art school of Nyumba ya
Sanaa, Zanzibar.
Before I went to Tanzania , All members of Japan Overseas Cooperate
Volunteers had to meet the Emperor who is the hornoly president of the
organization. When I said to the organization that I wanted to not meet
him the day before the meeting, They said to me that It was OK,but your
mission would be canceled not because of the law.
In Tanzania we got 200USD per month for meals, books and petrols for
motor bike. Those days Tanzanian people got 30USD from their jobs as
usual.
In Tanzania I had a lot of girl friend who loved my money.
