Mahatma Gandhi Statues across Japan

When winter takes hold of Tokyo, although very rare, a blanket of pristine snow settles over the park, gently crowning Bapu's bronze shoulders in a soft, white shawl. In the biting January chill, his serene gaze looks out over the frozen landscape, standing as a quiet, stoic reminder of warmth and resilience for every homesick soul passing by.

The monument was formally woven into the city’s landscape on May 20, 2023, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it during his visit to Hiroshima for the G7 Summit. Flanked by local Japanese officials, including Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, the ceremony carried immense diplomatic and emotional weight. In his dedication speech, PM Modi noted that the world today continues to grapple with conflict, making the timeless philosophies of Bapu more relevant than ever - especially when standing just a short walk away from the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome.

An interesting thing about this spot If you look closely at the location, there is something that really hits you hard as a traveler or photographer. The statue is placed right along the banks of the Motoyasu River. Now, if you know your history, this is the exact same river where thousands of regular people ran desperately to find a drop of water and shelter on that terrible morning of August 6, 1945. Today, seeing Bapu’s statue standing quietly on the very same waterfront is just incredibly moving. It’s like a peaceful guard watching over a place that once saw the worst kind of war, turning a tragic memory into a spot of pure peace.

I have never come this west side of Tokyo, the farthest was the Renkoji Temple 3-4 station before Ogikubo Station where the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian freedom fighter who had disagreements with Gandhi in the days of the freedom struggle. Get down at the Tokyo Metro Ogikubo Station on the Marunouchi Line and access the South Exit. Walk straight from this south exit to access the Suginami Ward library which is around 10 minute of a walk.

The relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in today’s day and age has to move from the symbolic dress to the principles on what he believed in. I read the 7 social sins and there is no second thought on how timeless these thoughts are, relevant to any generation and context. Pick any and it is so profound…. “Knowledge without Character”, awesome. I am writing this article unable to sleep due to jet lag in the UK, at my hotel Park Plaza at Westminster, five minute walk from the statue of Gandhi in London a unveiled last year March 2015 at the Westminster grounds just next to his political foe Winston Churchill. Gandhi is relevant beyond cultures and generations.

DO NOT MISS INFO : The Suginami Ward Library has not only put up a statue but on the basement floor next to a Cafe, is a complete photo story and newspaper clipping space that they have constructed. Do inquire at the library where the photographs are kept and you will get the library staff to guide you. A very significant clipping was of the Asahi Shimbun which carried the news of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi with a comment that “Right wing Hindu extremist” as the culprit referring to Nathuram Godse. Extremist arrested on the spot says “Mainich Shimbun”, and also notes on the right that “RIOTS IN BOMBAY” were reported post the assassination. “Gandhi says” an article which shows his reckless teens to the mature adult life has also been covered in Japanese press.