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PHOTO BY MARK BUCKTON

Sunday 15th February, 04:00 PM JST

A group protests the government’s inaction on the economy and job issues in Ginza.

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Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

fordtuff at 11:41 PM JST - 15th February

Oh the irony ! Years ago the Japanese government interfered in US shipments of American beef citing one ridiculous reason after another. The result was the shutting down of a multi billion dollar industry affecting ranchers, distributors, and restaurants on both sides of the pacific. Now the Japanese have taken to the streets to moan and complain about the state of their economy. Gee, I can think of thousands of jobs basically eliminated, downsized, or negatively interfered with here in Japan. In this world you reap what you sow ! You gotta sleep in the bed you make. Sorry Japan, your government is a reflection of you the people, myopic, distant, and selfish. Deal with it ! Moo !
Philmoscowitz at 11:45 PM JST - 15th February

Dear Japan Today, It would be nice if you could give more of an explanation to go along with this photo than simply, "A group protests the government’s inaction on the economy and job issues in Ginza." Who are these people? Do they belong to an organization? Why are they wearing cow kigurumi outfits?
cleo at 11:45 PM JST - 15th February

もう我慢も限界、みんな出番だよ mo- gaman mo genkai, minna deban da yo means Right, we've had enough, now it's our turn.

The little chicken is saying コケコッコー、もうケッコウ　（kokekokko, mo- kekko) translates as Cockadoodle doo, that's quite enough, but loses the cuteness of the animal sounds.

The placard round the neck of the lady on the left says, 均等待遇を実現しろ kinto taigu wo jitsugen shiro - We want equal pay.
Betzee at 11:48 PM JST - 15th February

Cleo, Thanks! I could get the gist from the kanji, but thanks for the complete narrative.
cleo at 11:50 PM JST - 15th February

Philmoscowitz -

I think they're dressed as cows because 2009 is the Year of the Ox (the animals on the banner are the 12 animals of the calendar, and Betzee's bear is a dog), plus the sound the cow makes (mo- in Japanese) is also the sound Japanese people make when they want to complain.
Betzee at 11:53 PM JST - 15th February

Yes, Cleo, you're right. The animals are all in the lunar zodiac (including the dragon).
Wottock_Hunt at 11:56 PM JST - 15th February

the sound the cow makes (mo- in Japanese) is also the sound Japanese people make when they want to complain.

And don't I know it...
isthistheend at 12:07 AM JST - 16th February

Hey Fordtuff, nice post.
Betzee at 12:07 AM JST - 16th February

Cleo,

I'm going to download this photo. From time to time I've been involved in developing tests to assess cultural competency along the lines of "what do you see going on in this photo?" There's a lot here, enough to rank the responses on a scale.
Weasel at 12:32 AM JST - 16th February

They look like those part-timer's who work at a Chick-fil-a you'd typically see in the malls in the USA.
earthcreature at 12:56 AM JST - 16th February

They look kind of sad :( I wish they could cheer up :(

But right on protest!! Some one has to take it to the streets and stand up for what they believe on!
Betzee at 01:15 AM JST - 16th February

On the front page of the NYT's there a photo of "imported [Japanese] vehicles sit[ting] at the Port of Newark, waiting for their turn to gather dust at dealerships. Toyota Motor is starting to feel the downturn that has hobbled its American counterparts." This is not unconnected to the photo here. Perhaps it could be incorporated in the story quilt narrative.
30061015 at 02:53 AM JST - 16th February

Moooooo.... Why wait for the cash cows to come home when they can start their very own bovine costume company?
Betzee at 05:00 AM JST - 16th February

The way things are going, they better start sewing tiger costumes. I don't think the global economic downturn will be over by the time we usher in the "Year of the Tiger" in 2010.
hepy1 at 04:14 PM JST - 18th February

but for me is not like a real protest but a funny protest and not about economy but about the cow is that right minna.