jan31

75 years of Akahata exposing truth -- Akahata editorial, January 31 (excerpts)

The Japanese Communist Party's Akahata newspaper was first published on February 1, 1928.

Seventy-five years ago, Japan under the rule of absolute Tenno (the emperor) government was embarking on the road of war of aggression in China and its escalation. Domestically, the government was suppressing all forms of pacifism and calls for democracy.

Akahata from its inception stood for opposition to the imperialist war and called for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the freedoms of speech, press, assembly and association; it was consistent in calling for peace instead of war; it stood firm for freedom and democracy, and for the defense of citizens' basic rights and living conditions. This is the tradition Akahata now maintains firmly.

On the issue of peace, Akahata is opposing the planned U.S. attack on Iraq. It reports people's movements and international political developments, calling for a peaceful resolution of the question within the U.N. framework. This is in sharp contrast with the major commercial newspapers which are reporting either to fan the flames of war or from the viewpoint that a war is inevitable.

On people's living conditions, Akahata reports on the major banks' aggressive collection of loans from small- and medium-sized businesses in distress. It reports on life-threatening long working hours and forced overtime work without pay. Commercial newspapers are heavily dependent on the revenue from advertisements by major banks and large corporations, and rarely report on such malpractices of their sponsors.

In Japan, 53.2 million copies of newspapers are published every day. But most of the mass media are not always telling the truth.

An Asahi reader wrote to the newspaper, "Recent newspaper, magazine and TV reports look like flagmen signaling a war to begin. I ask you to carry articles that help avert war."

Commenting on Akahata, journalist Takao Saito stated, "In other newspapers we cannot read about facts of corporate restructuring and karoshi (death from overwork) at large corporations."

Without reading Akahata, it will be difficult to know what is really taking place in Japan and elsewhere in the turbulent 21st century. If we read Akahata, we will get not only the truth and facts but also the courage to live.

Akahata will mark a new step to the future, together with the people. (end)