Voices of objection echoed in the Shinano sky - December 1975

Voices of objection echoed in the Shinano sky - December 1975

In 1975, local high school students, teachers, and citizens voiced strong objections to war and politics at the "Shinshu Gathering for Peace" held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. In particular, young people questioned the presence of the Self-Defense Forces and political neutrality in education, highlighting a sense of crisis over the skeleton of postwar democracy. This was symbolized by the comments of students from Shinshu University and others, as well as the appeal of high school students to "learn what is not written in textbooks. In response, the adults who organized the event urged calm discussion, but the passion of the young people overcame the situation. The article concludes that the enthusiasm, which did not suit the quiet nature of the region, and the earnest words of the young people were firmly etched in the winter sky of Shinshu. The voices questioning the very foundations of democracy were not limited to a local rally, but also reflected the atmosphere of th
e times.