Japan

National website: hottokenai.jp

National Coalition:

Hottokenai, Sekai no Mazushisa / Don't Let It Be: World Poverty

Japanese groups have come together through GCAP under the slogan "Hottokenai, Sekai no Mazushisa" (Don't Let It Be: World Poverty).

For more information and to get involved please contact:

Kaori Kuroda, kaori@csonj.org

GCAP Japan events on 07/07/07

We are going to organize a 7.7.7. event with the cooperation of UNDP in Tokyo this Saturday.  This event's theme is 'Keep our promise to end poverty.' We will take this opportunity to launch our 8 MDGs T-shirts, each of which was designed by a popular designer in Japan. We have partnered with a company named Gas As Interface. Co. Ltd. to produce these cool T-shirts. We also announce a new icon for each MDG during the event.

The T-shirts were made in collaboration with Gas As Interface Ltd. Co. and UNDP. T-shirts were designed by 8 designers all of whom are quite well-known to the world. Some proceeds from the sales will be designated to eight organizations including us. 

Check the designs by clicking here 

We plan to link our event to the Tanabata Festival (the Star Festival). This celebrates a Chinese legend and is held on the night of the 7th of July except some regions of Japan. People attach slips of colored paper with wishes (i.e. End Poverty!) written on them to branches of bamboo. We will ask you to send us 'wishes' or 'prayers' to celebrate this local festival with us!

2005 Events

Wake-Up to Poverty! on Saturday 10th. September - WHITE BAND DAY II.

There were over 30 White Band Day events held all accross Japan to mark White Band Day 2 on September 10th 2005.

Japan: Tokyo Tower lights the way for UN delegation

On the evening of September 9th, the famous Tokyo Tower has joined the list of monuments that have been “wrapped” in a white band. This “white band” of light will remain illuminated throughout the weekend as a reminder of the campaign's calls for the Japanese delegation to act on poverty at the UN Summit. The evening also say around 350 go to an all-night film festival on the eve of WBD2.

On White Band Day 2, approximately 3500 people came to our an event in Shiba Park next to Tokyo Tower, where they formed a massive human white band. The event had a surprise visit from the famous singer, Noriyuki Makihara, much to the crowds delight.

More than 500 people have uploaded their white band photos to support the Japanese campaign. Click here to visit the photo gallery

Also see the photos from the first White Band day I – July 2005