Kirk here with some local reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I got a question about whether or not any local demonstrations were planned or had taken place so I did some looking. Via “Google news” I found an article about a protest that occurred in Kurume (just a stone’s throw to our north):
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/882727/
Then, searching on Facebook, I found this post about a group in Yatsushiro voicing their opposition.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3159192697694470&id=100008113128550
But so far I don’t have any leads about upcoming events in Kumamoto.
On TV I’ve seen several protests in which Russian citizens (many of them quite fluent in Japanese) came out to demonstrate in solidarity with their Ukrainian brothers and sisters, one person saying it’s Putin’s war, not theirs. Apparently, resistance and opposition within Russia is stronger than expected. I’m glad about that.
Let’s all pray for peace!
P.S. If you have any thoughts about what should be done here in Kumamoto or on this page, please share them in a comment.