Graffiti in the rambling terrace.

Overt political statements are few and far between in Japan. Most people seem to be either justifiably cynical about their ineffectual politicians, or view such issues as a strictly personal matter.

However, there is one area of public life in Japan, were people are not shy to say what they think, and that's the anti-war/ peace movement. That said, I was surprised to be confronted by the following piece of graffiti in the multi-colored wonderland of the Vinawalk this morning.


Over the past few months someone has been spray painting such political charged statements (complete with spelling mistakes) and images around the Vinawalk's rambling terrace, which I find mildly thrilling because it is so wonderfully incongruous. You see the Vinawalk - like Japan itself - is a candy-coated palace to consumerism: its like Disneyland on acid.*


It is therefore no surprise that these statements are quickly removed by the authorities. However, I love the juxtaposition and I find the thought that there is a loud minority of one screaming in the wilderness, somehow inspiring. In truth, I think, it makes his/ her message all the more powerful.

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*MP3: In tribute to the wonderful multicoloured wonderland of the vinawalk please download "I Love FPM" by the Fantastic Plastic Machine. If you play the song, whilst gazing at the picture above, you will be able to recreate what it is like to be in Japan and you'll be instantly filled with an insane sense of jealously for how truly wonderful my life is.