 |
| Takahashi Minami Tokyo Ally |
A NEW CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF MINORITIES. TOKYO ALLY - AKB48 GRADUATED. Former AKB member Takahashi Minami appears in a new public awareness video "My name is Ally! TOKYO ALLY".
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that celebrity Minami Takahashi appeared in a video along with an interview for the official page of this campaign.
Born in Tokyo on April 8th, 1991, Takamina debuted as a member of the 1st generation of AKB48 in 2005.
She is considered one of the core members of the group.
Appointed general manager in 2012, she graduated in 2016. Since then, she's been active in multiple roles on TV, radio, and in commercials as a TV personality.
On the official site, there is an article that explains the meaning of the word "Ally", in hopes of increasing the number of allies for minorities and creating more secure and comfortable places for them to work in along with a short interview with Takamina.
The campaign also asks for companies and the government to work together to create a society in which everyone can live comfortably asking colleagues, friends, and families to begin talking about these themes and being more open and treating everyone with compassion, acceptance, and respect for others' differences.
Resources such as a book on diversity and even seminars for those living in Tokyo are some of the things the campaign offers.
From the interview, Takamina speaks of her experiences with friends in the community she met through her work and about her understanding of the word "Ally".
She expresses that, after being invited to participate in this campaign, she understands more about this subject.
"When I look around me, I wish that more people would take them for granted, so I am joyful to have had this opportunity," she says.
She also mentions she would search diligently if she doesn't understand something but whether a minority or a person with a disability it is better to ask the person
"What can I help you with?" "Communication is important." "My greatest wish is that many people will understand and that society will become a place where everyone can live comfortably. We should aim for a society where all people, including minorities and people with disabilities, can live comfortably."
She hopes this campaign makes a change into a more compassionate society. In her official Instagram post, she wrote:
"Tokyo Metropolitan Government's educational video "My name is Ally!" TOKYO ALLY are supporters and understanding people who support the activities of minority parties.
The "Ally Mark" was also newly created by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to express its understanding of and support for minorities!".