JCP renews resolve to stop any war plans

On the 57th anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies in World War II on August 15, the Japanese Communist Party published a statement expressing its renewed determination to stand in the forefront of the struggle to stop war in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Following is the text of the statement released by JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi:

As the nation observes the 57th anniversary of the war's end, the Japanese Communist Party pays a tribute to all who fell victim to Japan's war of aggression abroad as well as in Japan. Drawing bitter lessons from history and reaffirming the present-day significance of the constitutional principles of peace and democracy, the JCP renews its determination to continue to take a lead in the struggle to prevent illegitimate wars in Asia or elsewhere in the world.

The U.S. Bush administration has used the international terrorist attacks and the subsequent retaliatory war as a pretext for embarking on the very dangerous path of pursuing unrestricted hegemony. Declaring the adoption of a preemptive strike strategy without regard for the United Nations Charter, it is preparing to attack Iraq and unilaterally use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.

The U.S. strategy has drawn criticism from many governments, and the United States now finds itself increasingly isolated. Criticism of such unilateralism is also growing in Japan. The Koizumi Cabinet, however, condones the Bush administration's preemptive strike policy, stating that it understands the strategy as an "option," thus showing its extraordinary submission to U.S. foreign policy and a complete lack of independence and autonomy.

Contingency legislation was a major issue in the Diet session which ended recently. Its aim was to establish a system that would allow the Self-Defense Forces to use force while assisting in U.S. wars abroad. It is also a system that would mobilize the people for war, depriving them of human rights and freedom. Parliamentary debates in the Diet and people's tenacious struggles contributed to successfully blocking the legislation, but the government and the ruling parties remain determined to get the bills enacted.

The JCP will continue to do it utmost to let people know how dangerous the contingency bills are until all attempts at passing the legislation are completely abandoned.

In August last year, Prime Minister Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine in defiance of strong opposition and drew harsh criticism from both inside and outside of Japan. He made a surprise visit to the shrine again last April on the occasion of the shrineﾕs annual event called the "spring festival." This represents the dangerous character of the Koizumi Cabinet which schemes to enact contingency legislation and defies "remorse for the war of aggression," which constituted the starting point of Japan's post-war politics.

It must be stressed again that serious self-criticism of the war of aggression and colonization is indispensable for establishing friendship with other Asian nations.

As a party calling for "opposition to the war of aggression" and "people's sovereignty" throughout the 80 years since its founding, the JCP will continue to fight against all anachronistic schemes and make use of the constitutional principles of peace and democracy in defense of peace in Asia and the rest of the world. (end)