Comments of "Tanaka-san will not do Calisthenics"
By Emaile and to Board
日本語訳

I'm very happy that many people have had positive response to my struggle. Each one of you may have had your own such struggle for social justice.
You have encouraged me . Thank you very much.
Unfortunately my translation skill is low. So thank you for your patience with my replies.

mr　投稿者：mac 引用する
Good evening, こんばんわ。Ore wa australia wo sunde imasu. (I just watched the documentary "Tanaka-san Will Not Do Calisthenics" tonight, and thought I'd leave a comment.) First of all, I'd like to say good luck and ganbarimasu.

I've felt some small pressures flowing down from above, in my few years in the work force, but I doubt it compares with some of the working conditions in Japan.
I had heard about some of these from Japanese people I had meet even before I saw this documentary. One such example, being forced to do overtime (maybe 12-14 hours instead of 8 a day) without being paid, if they questioned it, the threat of being sent to another company always loomed over there head.

I thought the connection between working conditions and suicide rate quite concerning/alarming. [From other sources I've heard over-work can also put a fair amount of strain on a relationship/marriage.]

Anyway, thanks for the message, and for having a voice. Many people cower when it comes to confronting their boss, I guess mainly due to their financial responsibilities, so they continue with their act of affectation/wearing a mask. I've seen people criticise their boss a minute before he arrives, and then greet him with the biggest smile. It makes you wonder.

Anyhow, cheers mate/thankyou/domo arigatou gozaimashita. Someone has to have a voice while the rest of us cower in the shadows. Film and music are very powerful medium's at spreading a message _b.

2010/03/16(Tue) 22:20:11 [ No.3319 ]

I watched your documentary on the television here in Australia. It was a very interesting and powerful statement you have made. Though most of us try to hide our heads in the sand to pay our bills and lifestyle we have built on consumerism.

I was born and raised in Asia, went to school in a private school and from a young age I have learned to conform and obey. Which I had a hard time doing so. But as we grow older we tend to do it in order to survive in our society, Japan or elsewhere. I have had my share of bullying at work from Europe to Australia. People are the same all over the world, companies, government, our society tells us to obey the one who has power.

And people are power hungry, the worst ones are those who obey blindly and have limited intelligence, NO common sense and NO MORALITY.

We can be lonely in our fights, but you are not alone. I admire your courage and your family support. It is a very tough fight. And I wish you all the best!

Dear Mr Tanaka, I watched your story on TV here in Australia late one night last week. I admire your tenacity for standing up for your freedom to choose whether or not you want to do callisthenics at work. I understand your desire to have freedom of choice in your life; privately, publicly and economically (ie. at home, in your outside environment and in your work and business life). You show tremendous strength of character and your family are also to be admired for having the courage to support you in your struggle.
Best wishes for the future, regards, Mrs Ing Scroop.

hi tetsurosan,

Hajimemashite!

I saw the TV documentary about your oppression by OKI.

Firstly you have my utmost respect for your brave stand against

corporation fascism.

Secondly when I think of your struggle, I think of you as the

modern version of Gandhi (from India) or Mandela (from South

Africa). But do you realize your struggle is much more difficult

to overcome than theirs? Let me explain why.

Gandhi or Mandela has the support of the majority

crowd. They appealed to the poor which form the majority during

those eras. The poors have nothing to lose when supporting either

Gandhi or Mandela.

You are fighting for the middle class which dont form

the majority. Furthermore they dont identify with your struggle nor

they appreciate your efforts. Most of them are either just "cowards"

or they have alot to lose if they fight against corporation fascism.

Also you must remember corporation fascism is the new emperor

of the world (not just japan). You are fighting against a very

powerful beast that can even overthrow a small country and poses

significant threat to big countries.

So my point is if you want to fight this beast as a pacifist,

you somehow have to get the crowd to be sympathetic to your cause.

And that is the reason why your fight has taken so long to achieve

your objective.

I hope I have not discourage you anyway but you will now have

a clearer idea of what your future strategy should be. Anyway this

is just my humble opinion or analysis of your problem.

I wish you all success in your struggle. If you win the war one day,

you will not only bring a new world order in Japan but the whole world!

Your struggle will bring about a world peace greater than that can

bring by United Nations!

I also admired your wife and your Mom. They stand by you.

They are very beautiful women with a big heart. You should

be proud of them. Your kids are also very very brave.

Tomodachi,

Peter Thong2010年3月11日 5:37

Hello Sir

HI Tetsuro

My wife and I watched the documentary about your struggle last night.
We live in Tasmania, she is Japanese and I lived and taught in Japan
for about ten years.
We are well aware of the problems of regimentation that all Japanese
workers face. Whether this regimentation is enforced by a company, or
a government agency, the aim is
always the same: to create an obedient, and therefore efficient and
non-questioning population.
I love Japan, I love the Japanese people. Maybe one day they will be
able to shake off the bonds of bureaucracy. We admired your struggle,
and that of the people who
supported you.
Maybe some day when we are visiting Japan we can come and see you in
action.
Take care, and good luck.

Sincerely

Brian Young
2010年3月10日 17:04

Last night on Australian television I saw the film featuring you, “Tanaka-san will not do callisthenics”.

I was very moved when I watched the film, and I wanted to take the time today to write to you to tell you how much I admire your drive and determination. I also admire your children, and the obvious love and support that they show you.

Maybe one day you could move to Australia. We don’t like authority here, I think you’d fit right in J

Thank you for your time. Good luck with your continuing struggle. I wish you all the best.

My husband and I saw documentary on your struggle last night on TV. We just wanted to send this email to you to pass on our support. It is a very brave stance you have taken but change can only happen when one person says “No”.

It must be a lot of work to translate your website into English but it worth it so we can respond. However on the page “Do you want to meet me” the link doesn’t go to the map ? thought you might like to know.

regards
Val and David
2010年3月10日 11:49

Mr Tanaka,

I watched the documentary film on SBS tv in Sydney, Australia. I used to work in South Korea before migrating to
Australia, and I am 100 percent sympathetic to your experience and ordeal you have come through.

I support and cheer for your righteous activity!
Sent from my BlackBerryR smartphone on 3

Hello Tetsuro, & Family,
I watched the Film about your life, on Channel SBS Melbourne, Australia

You are an Amazing man !!!!

We have a name for you in our Culture,......... You are a free spirit...

I admire you, & your Family very much.....

You're a Hero in my eyes, & a Hero to many people around The World....

I have The Greatest Respect For your wife, & sons...

You have an Amazing Family

Tetsuro you're Fighting The Good Fight, And You have WON !!!..

I send You Big Smiles

.....

From Australia
With Respect And Smiles
Maree McMahon

Dear, Tetsuro,
When The Going gets Tough
The Tough Get Going

maree galusca 2010年3月9日 22:19

Hi Mr Tanaka,
I just called you from Sydney, Australia while watching the television documentary on OKI Electric Co. I also wrote an email to them.

Regards.

Mr.Sandeep Prasad2010年3月9日 20:45

はじめまして。阿部と申します。オーストラリアのメルボルンに住んでいます。さっきまで、田中さんのTV番組をハウスメイトのオージーの女性と二人で見ていました。
申し訳ありません・・・私は日本人なので田中さんは変わった人だなというのが正直な感想ですが、２８歳のオージーの女性は田中さんに会ってみたいと言っていました。オーストラリアでメルボルン以外でも放送されていたのかはわかりませんが、あの番組をみた外人が田中さんに興味を持ったのではないでしょうか？変なメールですみません。失礼いたしました。

Bloody fanstastic　投稿者：Murray Shaw 引用する
Hi Tetsura

I saw your movie last night and I thought it was great. You are an inspiration to oppressed workers in Japan and around the world. Your family are also great people. Keep up the good work. I'm not planning on coming to Japan but if I ever do I will visit you.

All the best and keep up the good fight.

Thanks

Murray

Film I saw on SBS Australia　投稿者：Kimie Chadwick 引用する
My Japanese comment was deleted as junkmail(is it because I included my website and mail address?). So I write in English this time. I also refused to sing Japanese national anthem during my high school days, and refused to attend graduate ceremonies both in Japan and Australia. As a uni student, I was involved in Student activism protesting against discriminations and Viet Nam war in particular. So when I heard you sing "international", it brought back a flood of memories. Both my parents were devoted socialists who always gave to the less fortunate, and I grew up learning about negative aspects of Japan such as Feudalism, discrimination against the poor, women, untouchables, etc. With the idea of teaching a child to think for himself, to stand up with his own feet, I became a teacher in Japan. Needless to say, changing the educational system from within was not particularly easy! So I left Japan trotting around the world alone (this was not easy for a woman alone in 70's) and now I live in Australia. It would be nice to be able to communicate with your fellow supporters to discuss issues reagarding education. My world view, my philosophy may be a little different from those of yours, but I think that there are so many similarities in our approach to our life (stubborness as well). I was moved by your film and also felt that I found a friend. I will post my contact details if requested. Kimie

2010/03/10(Wed) 13:21:27

Joe　投稿者：Joe De Lede 引用する

Dear Tanaka San - my apologies for not being able to communicate with you in Nihongo; I studied in Japan 30 years ago & have now forgotten everything!

I saw your Documentary last night & was extremely impressed by the DIGNITY of your Human Rights struggle against Corporate-Fascism in Japan ... which is even more insidious than Corporate-Fascism in Australia.

Throughout the so-called First World working people are being reduced to the status of COMMODIFIED-DISPOSABLE FACTORS in the capitalist production process ... your particular case is a classic exemplar of this insidious process.

Please keep up the good work.

Kind regards, Joe De Lede.

2010/03/10(Wed) 11:07:10

頑張って　投稿者：南十字星引用する
オーストラリアＳＢＳドキュメンタリーで、田中さんの頑張っておられるお姿を拝見し、感動しました。２１世紀の今日、今だにこのような原始的な風潮が横行している企業があるなど、まったくもって信じ難いことです。企業を恐れ、プライドも信念も捨てて長いものに巻かれていく弱い者の多い中、自分の信念を貫かれた田中さんは光って見えます。これからも不正な圧力と戦い続けてください。応援します。

2010/03/09(Tue) 23:38:44

Chief cook and bottle washer　投稿者：Tony 引用する
Hello mate. Well I can see you are being deluged with mail from Australia. But I do hope you might get a chance to read this at some stage. I'll probably be travelling to Ogikubo in August, and if I do, I would love to sit down and chat with you over a beer or two:)
You and I have had rather similar experiences, and we have reacted in rather similar ways. We've both been sacked for protesting against corporate fascism. We've both taken our struggle to court and seen how they are on the side of the corporations. But we will not give in . We are not beaten and we will not be beaten. We are happy to be ourselves rather than company robots.

I'd love to hear from you. You can write in English or Japanese, but if it's in Japanese, my wife will have to translate for me.

Tony Hudson

Ps By your tenacity, you show that the human spirit is by nature free.

2010/03/09(Tue) 22:57:

無題　投稿者：simon 引用する
Hello Tanaka-san
I just wanted to say that when i hear a story like yours i am utterly inspired. It is rare to see a man of such deep conviction, if everybody had these values the world would be truly just. I wish you all the best in your battle.
Simon

2010/03/09(Tue) 22:26:01

無題　投稿者：Kangaroo 引用する
You are a true inspiration thank you! A great film on SBS!

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:58:06

無題　投稿者：David Lacey 引用する
Loved the film congrats to all who were involved I to join you in spirit Keep after the buggers David

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:47:28

根性　投稿者：Peter (ピーター) 引用する
Hello Tanaka-san,
Your documentary was very insightful. It is great to see that your actions can be seen around the world because of this documentary. I wish you all the best in the future and hope that you can win your fight against OKI.

Having seen the documentary on SBS, you are a very kind person. Although I live in Australia, I will join you in spirit at the front of the OKI building.

頑張って

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:41:31

Mr　投稿者：Daniel Pranic 引用する
Hello Tanaka-san
We also watched the show on SBS tonight and have great admiration for your struggle and strength of conviction. My view is that people like you help keep the wheels of democracy on track ever so slightly that it is impossible to derail without an uproar from all of us.
In many ways the truth of OKI is how many organisation treat people today - we don't have calesthenics we have cubicles.
Well done and when we come to Japan we will see you.

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:41:08

頑張って　投稿者：David 引用する
Dear Tanaka-san,
I also just watched your documentary on Australian television and was amazed by your tenacity. The footage from the stockholders meeting was especially frustrating and moving. I sincerely hope that this documentary succeeds in raising awareness about your efforts and shames Oki.

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:37:47

Ganbarimasu!!　投稿者：Kinzang 引用する
Hello Tanaka-san,
I just watched your documentary on SBS in Australia. Actually, I am from Bhutan and I studied in Japan for two years. I was there last year and I wish I had a chance to meet you then. I think you are a very special man and I wish you all the best. I also play guitar but I think you are better than me.
Take care,
Kinzang

2010/03/09(Tue) 21:25:09

reviews

Doug Anderson [Sydney Morning Herald 9 March 2010, p.19]

Orderly behaviour and rigid conformity have long been part of Japan’s work culture. Discipline and the “right” attitude promote reliability and drive economic miracles ? which is probably why we’ve never had one. Tanaka Tetsuro was an engineer at Oki Denki, a Tokyo corporation, who believed in the work policies that had brought success to him and his employer. But when a new management structure was implemented, Tanaka rebelled. The revised corporate mindset demanded unswerving loyalty that amounted to submission. Tanaka said no, refusing to participate in compulsory calisthenics. He argued against other stupid company policies and stood up for unfairly dismissed workers. The firm responded by ordering his transfer to a distant regional facility. Again Tanaka said no and was sacked. For almost 25 years he has mounted a vigil outside the factory gates, demonstrating his individuality as an inspiration to others whose right to democracy within the workplace is being compromised. One determined man can make a difference.

??????

Daniel Bloom [ TVFIX 7 March 2010 ]

This documentary illustrates just how difficult one man’s struggle for truth and understanding can be.

If you’ve ever tired of the mindless drone of the nine-to-five, then Tanaka Tetsuro may just appeal to your anarchistic sensibilities. As a successful engineer for one of Japan’s many global corporations, Tanaka refused to take part in daily calisthenics classes that were deemed necessary by his corporate bosses. Furthermore, he was given the option (read: ultimatum) of moving from his current position to a position in a rural factory.

Tetsuro refuses to move and is subsequently sacked. What transpires after this is the story of how one man has the guts to question the corporate world ? and in doing so begins a 25-year crusade to have his story heard at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Tetsuro also manages to spend his days picketing his former employer’s building; this is something he has been doing for the past 25 years.

What makes this doco compelling viewing isn’t really the fact that one man has decided to challenge the status-quo in a country known for its strict and conservative ways. What’s more important is the journey into the human soul and how one man has never given up (despite the fact that he’s fighting an insurmountable battle). If there’s one thing we can learn from his battle it is simply this: the human soul is a mighty tool when utilised to its full potential.

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EnhanceTV [ http://www.enhancetv.com.au/ March 2010]

Tanaka-san Will Not Do Callisthenics, is a moving narrative that captures the courage and willpower of one remarkable man who believes that he can make a difference.

Tanaka Tetsuro was a successful engineer at a powerful corporation in Tokyo. The young man seemed to have had it all: a promising career with a dependable company, a loving wife and family, and a vibrant spirit that could not be trumped. That is, until the corporation he worked for acquired new management, fiercely forcing company loyalty and submission from their employees. Deep down, Tetsuro knew that his life would never be the same.

In his remaining days at Oki Denki, Tanaka Tetsuro stood for what he believed in. He supported unfairly dismissed workers, spoke against company policies and refused to perform mandatory stretches before beginning his work day. Finally fed-up with his antics, the corporation ordered Tetsuro to transfer to a far away location. When he refused, he was fired.

Since that fateful day, Tetsuro has been a human rights activist, standing outside the company gates each morning as employees mindlessly flow in. He prays, delivers speeches and sings songs all with the hope that more individuals will refuse to be controlled by their employers. It is his dream that one day democracy will be restored to the nation, and he firmly believes that he is making a difference.

This emotional documentary follows Tetsuro’s life as an activist for human rights in Japan. Cameras capture his struggle as he stands outside the factory each day, discusses human rights with his peers, attends Oki Denki’s annual shareholders meeting, and rallies support for his life’s mission. Intimate interviews with Tanaka’s wife and son’s reveal their admiration and support for his cause, yet also unveil their worries about his emotional and physical health as he refuses to give up on his dream.

??????

The week’s best TV: Kerrie Murphy [ The Australian 6 March 2010 ]

Tanaka Tetsuro was an engineer at Tokyo’s Oki Denko until he refused to participate in the company’s mandatory callisthenics programs, becoming a champion of employees’ rights. After refusing a transfer, he was fired and has since protested daily at the company gates for almost 25 years. That’s some hardcore windmill tilting. Australian filmmaker Maree Delofski explores his story within the bigger context of employee rights in a culture built on conformity.

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Jonathan Frey: All Movie Guide

Tanaka-San Will Not Do Calisthenics is a testament to the incredible power of the individual. Tesuro Tanaka, a man whose day job requires him to work at the Japanese Oki Electric Manufacturing Company but whose true passion is singing, decides to react to the news of the impending militarization of his job with what’s in his heart. Every day for 28 years, Tanaka stood outside his factory and, as a form of protest, sang. This documentary shows how Tanaka’s simple act exposed the corruption of an entire business.