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Sulejman, who came to Japan from the former Yugoslavia 14 years ago (and thus the title of this article) is known to many people protesting Japan’s support for the U.S. war, as he and his wife Kanako were standing almost continuously in front of the US.Embassy since the start of the war.  Now, Sulejman is editing a magazine of political commentary and is hoping to collaborate with people who can translate between Japanese and English for a small translation fee.

For details, contact him at

Or, telephone him at 090 1268 4412 (mobile) 042 853 6303 (home).

Here, in his own words, is what Sulejman thinks about the overlap and linkage between issues confronting social activists in Japan and around the world:

Since the death of Yugoslavia, the world has become my home. No matter where you go you never feel homesick. and as for the fight against Imperialism, the resistance to it, in my head, is always global, one, with barricades and war fronts all over the world, all fighting against the same enemy. Now, our enemy may appear strong but it is not. WE are the real power, you and I and all the people involved in the struggle against injustice and all the “wretched of the earth”. We must never forget that there are many more of us than of them. That thought alone is a weapon if properly used. Now, who are they? The enemy? G7, IMF, WTO, EU, NATO, WB, UNSC… now if you take a closer look these are almost all the same countries, a bunch, a handfull of criminals compared to billions of us. The problem is not that they have the guns and the money, the problem is that they are organized and we are not, they are united and we are not, they have found something to sell (even if it’s empty) to the people, what do we have to offer instead?

By the way, I teach French and English. In the beggining I just used to talk about these problems to whomever would listen since I’ve come to Japan, then I started writing about it (10 of my letters appeared in the Japan Times), and at last I took to the streets (demonstrating in front of the U.S embassy since I consider it (the U.S.A.) to be the head of the Imperialist monster). What do we, activists, want? What are our demands? What is our economic alternative to the current one? What is our plan of action? Is our way of reaching out to the people at large effective? Does the population at large see an alternative in us, an alternative to the mainstream political parties? I am sorry if it’s too long. If there is anything else you would like to know, feel free to ask.

Here is an essay he sent us: