Japan VOC Rallies

Ryoko Kuboki
November 1, 1984

Sisters sometimes help in the production but usually are better sellers.

Based on an article which appeared in Chuwa Shinbun, November 1, 1984

In October 1984, the International Federation for Victory Over Communism (IFVOC) sponsored the "Tokyo Rally for the Protection of World Peace and Security." Nippon Budo-kan (the Japan Martial Arts Hall) was filled to capacity for the event. Prime Minister Yashuhiro Nakasone, Vice President Nikaido of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vice Mayor Suzuki of Tokyo, and others sent messages to the Tokyo rally, and many senators and congressmen sat on the stage.

The Tokyo rally was the last of a series of rallies held in seven major Japanese cities, the first of which was held on September 11. There are presently 7,420,000 IFVOC members in Japan.

A group of district leaders of the IFVOC in Korea, led by the vice president of the Korean IFVOC, Mr. Kyon Nam Park, attended the event, as did also IFVOC representatives from the Republic of China, the United States, West Germany, France, and the Philippines. This rally marks the beginning of national IFVOC groups working cooperatively on the international level.

The rally featured a multi-vision presentation, "The Fight of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Founder of IFVOC." Afterwards the participants made a strong appeal for the release of Rev. Moon from prison.

In the early afternoon, after singing by Hamako Watanabe and other attractions, the first part of the rally opened. The chairman of the executive committee, Mr. Nobutane Kiuchi, who is also president of the Sekai Keizai Chosa Kai (World Economic Research Association), was absent because of a cold. He sent his message by phone, and Vice Chairman Masahide Kanayama, former ambassador to Korea, gave the opening greeting instead. Congressman Takenori Kato of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Kyon Nam Park, vice president of the Korean IFVOC, followed in extending their greetings.

Members of the workshop engaging in their skillful work.

Mr. Ryoko Kuboki, president of the Japanese IFVOC, emphasized in his speech that "we are entering a new era. During this time it is crucial for the nations of Northeast Asia to unite; but this is possible only if we share a common set of values. We should use the values which form the underpinning of Victory Over Communism theory as the basis to achieve unity in Northeast Asia during what historians have called `the Pacific era'." He spoke about the mission and the role of each of the 7,420,000 members: "We must take responsibility not only for Japan, but also for Asia and the world."

As Mr. Gentaro Kajikuri, chairman of the board of the Japanese IFVOC, said in his report on the policy of the IFVOC movement and its activities, the VOC movement is now reaching everyone in the nation, and it will surely have an impact upon such issues as the anti- espionage law, the reformation of the administration, the reformation of the constitution, the correction of biased media, and the improvement of education in Japan.

In the second part of the rally there was a show, "Singing the Heart of Japan," by singer Haruo Minami, who expressed the Japanese spirit of loyalty and filial piety in song.

A powerful grass-roots movement has been developed by local IFVOC groups, extending through the whole country. This created a foundation for the success of the seven city rallies. Now VOC is burgeoning on every street corner in Japan.