Appeal to Public Opinion - Nakano Hayato’s “Hikyaku” Caravan Crosses the Finish Line

In the afternoon of September 12, 2008, “Nakano Hayato’s Tokaido Hikyaku Caravan”, which campaigned for the resolution of the firing of 1,047 former national railways workers, arrived at Nihombashi in central Tokyo, the final destination. Mr. Nakano (photo) had continued running for 500 kilometers from Kyoto since September 3 in a traditional “hikyaku” postal deliverer costume. He was very fine and enthusiastically welcomed by about 70 supporters. The following persons also ran together with Mr. Nakano: Mr. Mizumoto, member of the Kokuro (National Railworkers’ Union) Kitami Struggle Group; supporters from Miyoshi City Workers’ Union in Shikoku Island; and Mr. Takaku, retired Kokuro member. Mr. Nakano said with a suntanned smiley face, “It is impossible to carry out the caravan alone. It was possible thanks to the support of many people. I am happy if I can appeal to public sentiment even a little”. On that day, a reporter of Hokkaido Shimbun, local newspaper in Hokkaido, interviewed with him. During the campaign, many news media reported the caravan and the issue of the mass firing of the former national railway workers. (See Union Tube and relevant websites)

世論にアピール～中野勇人の飛脚キャラバンがゴール
　1047名国鉄労働者の解雇問題の解決を求める「中野勇人の東海道飛脚キャラバン」が9月12日午後、東京・日本橋にゴールした。9/3京都から9/12まで500キロを飛脚スタイルで駆け抜けた中野さん（写真＝ガッツポーズ）だが、とても元気で、約70名の人々の熱烈な歓迎を受けた。また国労北見闘争団の水本さん、四国・三好市職労の仲間、国労OBの高久さんも併走した。中野さんは「キャラバンは自分一人ではできない。多くの人の支えがあって実現できた。少しでも世論にアピールできればうれしい」と真っ黒に日焼けした笑顔で語った。この日は「北海道新聞」が取材に来たが、道中、多くのメディアがキャラバンと国鉄問題を報道した。
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