Nov 1, 2021-2021
United Kingdom
Pikachu Army Parade
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ACTIVISTS/ACT.GROUPS/DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP
No Coal Japan coalition
TARGET
Japanese Government
WIDELY HELD BELIEF
Japan should reduce its reliance on coal and switch to more environmentally friendly forms of energy.
CASE NARRATIVE
Issue and Opponent: On November 4, 2021, protestors dressed up in giant Pikachu costumes to draw attention to Japan’s support for coal power and coal mining practices.
Dilemma Action: The protestors handed out pamphlets as they marched alongside the No Coal Japan coalition and took photos with viewers nearby.
Outcome: No significant outcome occurred immediately after this protest other than an increased awareness for Japan’s reliance on its coal industry. Japan announced its promise to phase out coal power on October 31, 2021, but did not set a date, only noting that it would do it as soon as possible. The march took place during the larger overall climate movement ahead of COP26, though it operated independently from the other groups.
PRIMARY STRUGGLE/GOAL
NONVIOLENT TACTICS USED
DA TACTICS USED
Marches
CASE NARRATIVE WRITER
SUCCESS METRICS
8 / 12
(MC) Media Coverage
(MSYMP) Media coverage was sympathetic to the activists
(OR) Opponent response
(PS) Dilemma action built sympathy with the public
(REFR) Dilemma action reframed the narrative of the opponent
(RF) Dilemma action reduced fear and/or apathy among the activists
(SA) Dilemma action appealed to a broad segment of the public
Laugtivism
PART OF A LARGER CAMPAIGN
2 / 3
Encouraged more participants to join the movement
Internally replicated by the same movement
RESOURCES
Project documentation
Dilemma Actions Coding Guidebook
Case study documentation
Dilemma_Actions_Analysis_Dataset
SOURCES
Anon. 2021. “COP26: Giant pikachus make coal protest in Glasgow.” The Independent. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/cop26/cop26-pikachus-coal-protest-japan-v628b1b2f
Blake, E. 2021. “COP26: Activists dressed as Pikachu protest against Japan’s coal industry.” Evening Standard, November 4. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cop26-activists-pikachu-protest-against-japan-coal-industry-alok-sharma-glasgow-b964316.html?fr=operanews
https://www.dailyadvent.com/news/0f9ca0075c02eb6572bb1fd43e2d3d55-COP26-Activists-dressed-as-Pikachu-protest-against-Japans-coal-industry. Accessed April 15, 2022.
https://www.acn.news/cop26-pikachu-protesters-call-on-japan-to-stop-using-coal/. Accessed April 15, 2022.
Walker, David. 2021. “Gotta catch em all! pikachus invade Glasgow to make stand against Coal Power, scottishdailyexpress.” Scottish Daily Express, November 4. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cop26-gotta-catch-em-all-25377501
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/giant-pikachu-protesters-hit-glasgow-streets-demanding-end-to-coal-power/ar-AAQogl8?ocid=XMMO. Accessed April 15, 2022.
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