Chin people who are living in Japan celebrated the 58th Anniversary of Chin National Day on February 19, 2006 at Gloria Chapen in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. Exiled pro-democracy activists from Burma also joined the celebration. Before the celebration, a prayer service was held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The ceremony was opened by Mr. Khup Hen Pau. Delegations of the exiled organizations of the ethnic groups from Burma, NGOs and some other alliances attended the event and they were invited to give speeches.

At the ceremony, there was entertainment of the Chin National Culture Show with dances and songs. The guests were served Chin National food after which the ceremony continued until 6:00 p.m. in the evening. It is reported that there were 250 members attending the ceremony.

Chin National Day is the day of significance for all the Chin people both in Chin State and abroad. Chin people were ruled by the feudal chieftains until the British annexation of the Chin Hills in 1895. After World War II the Chin leaders joined with other ethnic groups and singed the significant Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947 to be free from the rules of the colonization. One month after the Independence of Burma in 1948, the first Chin National Conference was held from February 19 to 22 at Falam town in Chinland and more than 5,000 Chin nationals attended the Conference. On the second day of the conference, the feudal system of governing Chinland was eliminated and democratic administration was introduced to the Chin people. At the conference itself, it was decided that the Chin National Day would be observed on February 20 every year.

During the period of parliamentary democracy from 1948 to 1962, the day was recognized and observed as a national holiday. But after the military coup, the Chin National Day was celebrated solely as Chin State Day. Greatly regretting their loss of national identity, Chins inside Burma continued to secretly celebrate their national day in cities like Mandalay and Rangoon and at universities. To avoid attacks by the authorities, their celebration banners featured both National Day and State Day. In 2001 Chin students at Magwe degree college celebrating their national day were attack by the local authorities. During the past fifty years successive military and dictatorial governments in Burma have attempted several times to abolish the political significance of the Chin National Day by changing it into Chin State Day. In the midst of such hostile environments the Chin people have been united to stand together against the political assault on their people. That unity and solidarity of the Chin people has been shown by the fact that the Chins in Chinland as well as outside Chinland are celebrating the Chin National Day every year.

Sources: 8888burma, Mizzima, Chin National Front.