Japanese university student riots
In 1968 and early 1969 university students across Japan fought pitched battles with riot police after they barricaded themselves into their lecture halls and went on strike.
In 1968 and early 1969 university students across Japan fought pitched battles with riot police after they barricaded themselves into their lecture halls and went on strike. They were protesting about the poor quality of their education and the inequalities of Japanese society in a period of rapid economic change. Emily Finch talks to Kazuki Kumamoto who was a young student who joined the protests. This is a Whistledown production for BBC World Service.
(Photo of a policeman looking at Tokyo University Building. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 5 Jul 202207:50GMTBBC World Service
- Tue 5 Jul 202211:50GMTBBC World Service
- Tue 5 Jul 202217:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Tue 5 Jul 202221:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Wed 6 Jul 202202:50GMTBBC World Service
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there

