Junichi is back at work
Junichi Sato is one of our oceans campaigners in Japan, now facing a maximum of 10 years in prison for exposing a crime at the heart of Japan's whaling industry.
After nine months of disconnection from their colleagues and workplace, Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki walked back into the Greenpeace Japan office last week like long-missed adventurers finally home.
Of course they did not come in on the same day, as while the bail conditions binding them have been relaxed enough for them to speak to their colleagues and come back to work, there are still a lot of kilometres left on their road, and they still cannot communicate directly with one another or be in the same place at the same time.
But they’re back, morale is up and we can all throw more energy into getting them justice, and ensuring there is justice for whales too.
Junichi would like to share some of his reflections on his first week back in the office.
“The Greenpeace Japan office is in a very busy part of Tokyo, called Shinjuku. I walked down to the office from one of the biggest stations, passing through the streets that I thought I would be very familiar with, but I was not. There are new buildings, stores and restaurants that all made me realise how long I have been away.The last time I was here I left the office knowing that I was going to get arrested the next day. 10 months can change somebody’s life, but it can also change quite a bit of landscape.
There is a small Shinto Shrine next to the office called Naruko Tennjin where I came by before coming to the office hoping nothing changed there. Indeed, the only change I could find was that the cherry blossom was about to bloom. It was the perfect moment to come back to this place. The colour and shape of the cherry blossom has a power to make people smile and motivate.
Coming into the office, I realised there are so many pictures blooming on the walls of the office, showing people around the world taking action for us. They are my flowers that never fall from my memory. I am grateful to have a chance to say thank you to all the people who participated in these activities.
Now, being back to the office is not the victory of the campaign. It is surely a great step forward to achieve the end of Japanese "scientific" whaling, and also to realise true civil society where citizens can enjoy the rights of "freedom of expression." Today is the day I reboot the campaign in Japan with my great colleagues who stay strong for the great cause. I sincerely ask you all for your continued support, and I will keep you updated!”
We have now posted a blog from Toru.
Check out the video about the scandal exposed by the Tokyo Two...
... and this great piece "Human rights make whale meat hard to swallow" written by the BBC's Richard Black.
And if you haven't already taken action against this injustice - tell Japan they should arrest you too - for standing against the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and opposing the scandal and corruption of their whaling industry.
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Comments
Welcome back Junichi. Great to hear your voice again (through your very moving blog). Let's talk soon. Regards, John.
Posted by: John Bowler | April 10, 2009 12:33 PM
heeey so cool! you know this is my favourite campaign ever, for many years this campaign always been near my heart, and im so glad Junichi is back in the office!.
And also amazed with the pictures he has on the wall!, Im actually in on of them!, Junichi: if you read this, im in the embassy in Spain,we are 3 people in orange and im in the right hanging the banner, the pic is in the second line from the top.
I send all my support to you! and everything is going to be alright we are just right here with you!.
For te whales!
xx
Valeria
Posted by: Valeria | April 10, 2009 12:42 PM
The video can be seen and downloaded (for those without flash) at
http://vimeo.com/3940408
Posted by: bluebirch | April 10, 2009 4:23 PM
Junichi, good to see ya my man. When we going for a beer?
Posted by: Dave | April 10, 2009 5:42 PM
Welcome back. Great to have you in our midst again. Regards, Martijn
Posted by: Martijn Stegink | April 10, 2009 9:44 PM
Hi Junichi, I'm press-officer in Greenpeace Brazil.
Welcome back and be sure we'll stay strong in our support.
Hoping you all the best,
Dani
Posted by: Danielle Bambace | April 10, 2009 11:32 PM
Junichi, it's really great to see you back at your desk! We will win this one.
Posted by: Sebastian | April 11, 2009 12:21 PM
Junichi - welcome! It's great to see you so excited to be back in the office. It makes me realise how lucky we are to work on issues that we truly believe in. And even more so - how lucky we are to have colleagues like you, standing up for what we believe in, when those with vested interests would rather silence you. You're truly a Greenpeace hero. Hope to see you again soon. Kia kaha, Karli
Posted by: Karli Thomas | April 12, 2009 1:45 AM
Man, I hope there is justice in this world!
Posted by: Dr Sarah Boyle | April 13, 2009 1:10 AM
頑張ってねー応援するから！
Posted by: ソエ | April 13, 2009 11:27 AM
Gambare Junichisan¡¡¡
I have a "seiji" kanji in my wall at the volunteers office in Mexico..it reminds me what to look for every day...
chikara
Posted by: Chikara | April 13, 2009 7:30 PM
Welcome back Junichi!!! we´ll keep the fight against injustice and whaling. A big hug since Mexico...
Posted by: Sandra | April 13, 2009 10:57 PM
Hi Junichi,
Great to hear you are back at work. Greetings from the crew of the Arctic Sunrise at anchor off the coast of Montevideo, Uruguay.
Posted by: Slade Gray | April 13, 2009 11:15 PM
Welcome back Junichi, from everyone at the Greenpeace Melbourne office.
Posted by: Ross Orr | April 14, 2009 4:22 AM
Thank you for the lovely image of the flowers and blossoms. I hope this evil killing passes from the world and the legal shadow is lifted from your and Toru's lives, best wishes Bob Greenpeace US
Posted by: Bob | April 15, 2009 9:31 PM
Welcome back Junichi and congratulations for your determnination.
Edson Arrabal
São Paulo - Brazil
Posted by: Edson Arrabal | April 16, 2009 4:14 AM
good on ya,
Junichi keep at it and you will go far
you know youre doing the right thing,bless you bless you bless you!!!!!!!!
Posted by: finn braaksma | April 18, 2009 9:07 AM
Junichi!
Bienvenido!
Muy felíz de verte nuevamente, y con una sonrisa en la foto.
Fuerza amigo!
Posted by: Milko | April 23, 2009 9:50 PM
Many, many kudos!
Posted by: Tracey Tomtene | April 24, 2009 6:52 PM
Welcome,
Thank you for your courage and for what you continue to do for us to live in awe of our beautiful environment.
love peace and joy.
fatima
VIVA GREENPEACE
Posted by: fatima lachporia | April 25, 2009 11:34 PM
Hi Junichi,
I am glad to hear that you are free again but still concerned. I so appreciate your bravery on behalf of us all.
warmest regards,
Aine
Posted by: Aine Suttle | April 26, 2009 8:20 PM
Junichi!!!
Maravilha você estar de volta.
Que a injustiça de alguns homens seja a bravura dos de bom senso.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
Posted by: Alan Anastacio | May 10, 2009 5:27 AM