2021 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 69-78
Triggered by the climate strike of Greta Thunberg, the Fridays for Future campaign for the climate crisis is gathering momentum both and influence both worldwide and in Japan. In mid-September 2019, this campaign succeeded in mobilizing more than 7.6 million young people globally. This paper analyzes this movement's major characteristics and driving motivations from a social movements perspective focusing on cultural framing, mobilizing resources and political opportunity. Data is sourced from documents, news clippings and participant observations of the protest activities.
The name "Fridays for Future" provides an effective framing to appeal to young generations. It can be regarded as a typical example of "experience movements" where an "affinity group exists for the period of action, and then dissolves, only to come together at the next action" (McDonald 2004: 585). Lacking an organizational structure, participants occur across friends and experience the thrill of the unexpected interaction with others. Timing of the year 2019 is also critical as the Paris Agreement began the following year while we face increasing extreme weather events caused by high temperatures. Finally, especially in Japan's situation, sustaining these activities is still a tough challenge due to the limited mobilization effect and conservative political culture.
