JCP holds rallies against war in 9,000 locations throughout Japan

The Japanese Communist Party lost no time in organizing nationwide protest activities on March 20 against the U.S.-led armed forces starting war on Iraq.

Several hours after the U.S. bombardment against Iraq began, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo spoke in front of Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to call for a halt to the war. He was joined by the JCP candidate for Tokyo governor, Wakabayashi Yoshiharu. The square in front of the station was soon crowded with people protesting against the war.

Later, the JCP held a rally in Meiji Park in Tokyo attended by more than 5,000 JCP members and supporters, many on their way home from work, to help increase the struggle to stop the war. It was held at short notice and without a main banner on the platform.

Participants, including many Democratic Youth League of Japan members, marched in demonstration from the park to the downtown Shibuya district chanting, "No to war on Iraq." (end)