10 years on, Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement protests remembered in Japan

City authorities busy ginning up festive mood for China's 75th National Day

Demonstrators carry banners demanding genuine universal suffrage under the watchful eyes of police in Hong Kong's Mongkok area in November 2014. The Umbrella Movement, as it was known, officially began on Sept. 28 that year. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)

KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei Asia chief business news correspondent

September 28, 2024 12:04 JST

TOKYO -- Saturday marks the official 10th anniversary of the Umbrella Movement protests in which Hong Kongers demanded genuine universal suffrage. While the strict security legislation since imposed in the city has left little room to memorialize the demonstrations, key players and scholars gathered for the occasion -- in Japan.

Hong Kong's government, meanwhile, appeared eager to overshadow the anniversary with busy preparations for a different one, next Tuesday's 75th birthday of the People's Republic of China.