Japanese protests on alleged 'debt suicides'

Protesters in Japan staged an unsettling demonstration in memory of people who allegedly killed themselves because of the big…

Protesters in Japan staged an unsettling demonstration in memory of people who allegedly killed themselves because of the big banks' policies towards personal debt.

They say the country's banks are making ordinary people suffer while inept companies survive.

One woman walked through Tokyo's banking district wearing a black hood and carrying a Buddhist tablet to "honour" borrowers whom she says took their lives while trying to repay bad debts.

Protesters blame Japanese banks for forcing individual borrowers to sell their property to repay the debts.

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At the same time, the banks are accused of waiving non-performing loans made to large contractors and mismanaged companies.

The tablet directed against one of Japan's major banks reads "Grudge against Fuji Bank", while the bib worn by the woman reads: "We don't forgive unfair action by banks".

PA