Prominent Japanese labor advocate, int’l workers conference delegate detained at airport; KMU rallies for his immediate release

A prominent Japanese labor rights advocate participating in an international conference coinciding the Labor Day celebrations has been held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport since early afternoon today.

Immigration officials took Takane Ikeda, officer of the Asia-wide Campaigns against US-Japanese Aggression in Asia, into custody shortly upon arrival, at around 1pm.

An official from the Bureau of Immigrations claimed that Ikeda was held in the airport upon instructions from the Japanese Embassy. The embassy however granted Ikeda the necessary documents to travel to the country.

Ikeda was reportedly blacklisted for participating in a protest action condemning the US-RP Balikatan Exercises in Mindanao last 2002.

Ikeda is set to attend the May 1 demonstration, and the International Solidarity Affair, an annual gathering of labor leaders across different countries.

Airport officials insisted that Ikeda should be deported to Japan, and was arranged to take the first immediate flight. However, no such flight is scheduled until tomorrow afternoon.

Since his arrest, Ikeda has been staying at the airport transit lounge for ‘about-to-be deported’ individuals, and was not given any meal or assistance since then.

KMU condemned the incident, saying that this is an act of repression made to instill fear among international individuals and organizations helping the country in the continuing fight for higher wages and against unfair practices in the workplace, calls that workers would be highlighted on Labor Day.

KMU held an indignation protest this morning at NAIA, to push for Ikeda’s immediate release.