A group of young people met recently in a park, in the evening, in Tokyo. Holding banners and megaphones, they shout against the Japanese government and because of the lack of employment and opportunities.

The scene is repeating often in the busy district called Koenji in Tokyo. This protest is not even close to those in Iran. Indeed, the protests hardly cause any alarm in most of the world, but in this country that values the submission, they represent a total deviation of the rules.

Since the 60s, when the youth protests became violent, even the most peaceful demonstration of young people is seen as a taboo.

But the pain of the recession that is changing, giving rise to a new activism among the young Japanese, who had long been considered apathetic.

Unemployment benefits and social welfare are scarce in Japan and the expenses of government are focused on pensions and medical care for older voters and not for programs that can train young workers and help them support their families.

Deterioration in the economy and undoubtedly affected the young more than any other demographic group.
Some experts question how much political influence the demonstrators will have. Few expect that they represent some kind of strength in the polls later this year, when the parliamentary elections will be held in Japan.

Via: NYT.