Folk guerrilla protests in Shinjuku West Exit Plaza (1970s)

Folk guerrilla protests in Shinjuku West Exit Plaza (1970s)

In the 1970s, a group of young people known as the "folk guerrillas" staged activities in Shinjuku West Exit Plaza to protest against the Vietnam War and social inequality in Japan. With guitars in hand, they sang anti-war songs and songs of social criticism, transforming the public space of Shinjuku into a new space for expression. This activity was more than just a protest movement; it is remembered as an event that symbolized the youth culture of the time.

Specific Incidents and People
On August 7, 1971, the "Nishiguchi Folk Incident" occurred at Shinjuku West Exit Plaza. On that day, as young people gathered in the square to protest, police forcibly removed them. About 30 participants were arrested. At the center of the incident were folk singers Kan Mikami and Ryo Kagawa, whose music and message resonated with the youth. They continued their activities after their arrest, and the incident became a symbol of the folk guerrilla movement.

Cultural Background
Shinjuku West Exit Square was a symbol of Japan's postwar reconstruction, urbanization, and rapid economic growth, but it was also a place where social inequality was exposed. Young people chose this plaza because it was the center of the city where information and culture were concentrated and because it served as a public space where a diverse range of people could come and go.

Cultural Impact
The activities of the folk guerrillas took the form of "cultural resistance" through music and art, and had a profound impact on Japanese youth culture. The songs of Kan Mikami and Ryo Kagawa transcended mere political protest and had value as artistic expression, and had a profound impact on the later Japanese music scene. These activities also triggered discussions on "freedom of expression in public space.

Characteristics of Shinjuku as a Space
Shinjuku is a city that has developed amidst the chaos and diversity of the postwar period, and the West Exit Plaza was a symbol of this development. This plaza was a space where people of different standpoints and backgrounds could freely gather and engage in dialogue, and it was the soil that gave birth to cultural movements such as the folk guerrillas.

Conclusion
The "Folk Guerrilla Protests at Shinjuku West Gate Square" are not only notable for the resistance of young people against the contradictions of Japanese society at the time, but also important in that they expanded the cultural possibilities of urban space. This movement continues to inspire us today to consider new definitions of public space and the role that art can play in society.