The members of SND (Japan) held the 59th Anniversary of Shan National Day at the Citizen Plaza Hall, Takanobaba 4-29-27/Tokyo 169, in Tokyo yesterday. Shan National day has been held every year to mark the date of 7th February 1947 as a defining moment for Shan people’s history as a modern nation.

Other ethnic groups from Burma currently living in Japan such as Kachin, Chins and Karen, Palaung and Nagas and some exile political parties were present at the ceremony. Every group representative was invited to speak about the democracy struggle in Burma. Five Japanese NGOs were also invited to join the function to share their ideas about the democracy movements for Burma.

The party was started at 10:00. From 15:00 to 19:00, the function was continued by the Shan Culture and Literature Committee (Japan) by serving food and drinks. The function was successfully completed at 19:00 local time.

Shan National Day

On the 7th Febraury 1947, people's representatives from the different ethnic groups of the Shan States demonstrated their newfound unity to declare it Shan National Day when they made a decision to gain independence from British colonial rule over Burma. However this day is also regarded by the Shan as the day of their predicament because the date is close to the 12th February 1947 when Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders agreed with General Aung San of the Interim Burmese Government to gain independence from Britain and form the Union of Burma.