japan supports fbc fast

[carol@xxxxxxx]

JAPAN SUPPORTS THE FBC OCTOBER FAST FOR BURMA

	Burmese democracy activists in Japan will join their fellow activists in
the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and Thailand in fasting for a free
Burma this October.
	Burmese Relief Center -- Japan in Nara has launched a "Pray for Peace in
Burma" campaign, inviting communities and parishes of all religions to set
aside October 4-6 as a time for prayer and offering support to the fasters
and to the people of Burma.  In addition, BRC-J will make buttons saying
"I'm Fasting for Burma," in English and Japanese, for individuals who wish
to join the worldwide fast on October 7-9.  Through these activities, BRC-J
hopes to raise awareness about Burma among Japanese citizens and to
underscore the difference between the peaceful, ecumenical and
self-sacrificing character of the democracy movement and the brutality,
chauvinism and greed of the military dictatorship.
	In Tokyo, meanwhile, Burmese democracy activists will show their support
for the FBC fasters and the people of Burma by holding a press conference at
the Japanese Foreign Ministry on October 7.  Representatives from National
League for Democracy (Liberated Area -- Japan Branch), Democratic Burmese
Students' Organization (Japan), 8888 Group and Burma Youth Volunteer
Association (Japan) will inform the press about the FBC fast and convey the
views of the democracy movement on recent events inside Burma.  They will
also submit a letter to the Japanese Governmnt condemning SLORC's latest
crackdown on the NLD and Japan's continuing support for the regime.
Marubeni Corporation, in particular, will be targeted for its plans to
resume oil shipments to SLORC after its predecessor Mitsui & Co. sensibly
stopped such shipments when SLORC failed to pay for the oil.  (An
international letter campaign addressed to Marubeni CEO and staunch SLORC
supporter Kazuo Haruna is now being organized.)  
	We in Japan wish our fellow activists around the world great strength and
courage as we all strive to educate and activate our respective communities
about the Burmese people's heroic struggle for democracy and human rights.