|
26 November, 2010 Aung San Suu Kyi
Dear Aung San Suu Kyi, I heard that you were released from house arrest which had long been imposed by the military junta of Burma. It is the greatest delight for your fellow citizens who have continued fighting inside and outside Burma to see light ahead in their struggle against the autocratic junta, and for comrades across the world fighting against every kind of assault as well. On behalf of 70,000 members of the Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU), I’d like to express our heartfelt congratulations to you. When I knew you were freed, what came up to my mind first was the faces of our fellow comrades, Maung Maung Oo, Representative of the Japan Branch of the Seafarers’ Union of Burma (SUB), and his friends, who have kept on their struggle, waiting for the day. They have been combating hand in hand with one another here in Japan far away from their home country, dreaming the day when they democratize Burma and live in happiness, inside the country, with their families. I think about their feeling that urged them to come all the way to Japan, how they had been suppressed in their country or what they have in their mind when fighting here. It pains me deeply to learn how horrific their experiences were, and I am impelled to strengthen further solidarity. Burmese people living in Japan such as the SUB representatives have endured various hardships in their effort to achieve their leader’s release. In the global recession, the employment situation in Japan is so severe. The Burmese people’s life is hard in Japan as well as their struggle. There are many Japanese people who have prejudice toward foreign nationals. As Japanese, it humiliates me to have to tell you that. Burmese people, however, are combating with clenched teeth. We have looked closely at their activities. We have endeavored to stand together and fight with them to the best of our poor ability. Regardless to add, you have such courageous comrades. Even after your release, many Burmese people worry about your safety, and consider you to be more important than themselves not only here in Japan but also in every county of the world. They will surely put up a brave fight with you. We at the JRU pledge to work on together with you and Burmese brothers and sisters fighting in every country including Japan. In Japan democracy exists in name only. We are concerned that the revival of militarism is just around the corner. This is shown by the fact that the JRU is battling against oppression by the former conservative government and its advocates who arrested our members and still call us terrorists. Although our countries are different, and the situations are not the same, we share the common goal to create a society where everyone can live without losing the human dignity. We believe that it is our united struggle with Burmese fellow comrades not only to tough it out together with you but also to create a fight with Japanese workers and citizens in order to change Japan and establish democracy here. Lastly, I am worried that you have been forced to wage an uphill battle for long years and overuse your body and spirit until today. You are a big and precious figure, who cannot be replaced with anyone else, for Burmese people and for all of those fighting against suppression across the world. I wish you will be mindful of your health while fighting. We, also, vow to wage actions of solidarity with the Burmese fighting comrades, and to continue our fight in Japan. Let’s work on together! Yours in solidarity, Masaharu Takei |