Japanese Civic Group to Exhibit Statue of Peace as Scheduled

Exhibition Venue Changed Amid Strong Right-Wing Opposition

A right-wing Japanese woman (center, wearing a black outfit with a skull pattern) visited Session House Garden, an exhibition facility located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where the "Exhibition of Expression Restrictions · Tokyo" was scheduled to be held on the 10th, shouting "Do not hold the Exhibition of Expression Restrictions." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Statue of Peace will be exhibited as scheduled in Japan despite strong opposition from right-wing groups.

According to local media on the 18th, the Tokyo Executive Committee of the "Exhibition of Expression's Unfreedom," composed of Japanese civic activists, will hold an exhibition from the 25th of this month to the 4th of next month.

The exhibition was originally planned to be held at the "Session House Garden" located in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, but was relocated due to interference from right-wing forces. The new venue is reported to be located in central Tokyo. The executive committee stated, "We will announce the venue just before the opening."

The exhibition will feature the Statue of Peace first shown at the 2019 Aichi Triennale, along with video works depicting scenes of burning portraits of Hirohito. In addition to the Statue of Peace, works such as "Layers - Korean Comfort Women Left in China" and "Embracing Perspective" will be included.

"Embracing Perspective" contains a silkscreen work depicting former Emperor Hirohito burning, which sparked a flood of protests from right-wing groups. The exhibition was even suspended in 2009 due to the aftermath of this controversy.

The "Exhibition of Expression's Unfreedom and After" planned exhibition will be held in Nagoya, Japan from the 6th to the 11th of next month, and also in Osaka from the 16th to the 18th of next month.