JCP and unions protest suppression of citizens' right to political activities
The arrest of a government employee who had distributed Japanese Communist Party flyers has quickly given rise to anger and protests throughout the country.
Many faxes and phone calls to the Japanese Communist Party head office expressed protest against the arrest, which is an unjustifiable repression in violation of the freedom of thought and political activities guaranteed in the Constitution.
On March 4, the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the National Public Service Employees' Unions (Kokko-roren), the Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Unions (Jichiroren), and the All Japan Teachers and Staff Union issued their respective protests.
Even a local paper reported that the arrest would lead to a crackdown on the anti-war movements and suppression of the freedom of speech (Kochi Shimbun of March 4).
The JCP Central Committee, JCP Chiyoda District Committee, and the People's Aid and Relief Association of Japan on March 4 staged a protest in front of Tsukishima Police Station (TPS) and demanded the immediate release of Horikoshi Akio, a 50-year old Social Insurance Agency employee.
Concurrently, Tanabe Susumu of the JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Committee and Akita Kakuo, JCP member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to demand that Horikoshi be released and computers seized from JCP offices be returned without delay.
JCP Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo used his speech at a JCP public assembly held in Saitama Prefecture on the same day to state, "The repression shows that police are afraid of the JCP's just cause prevailing. It's an attack not only on the JCP but on the Constitution and democracy," and called on the audience to protest the MPD action.
The Public Safety Bureau of the MPD on March 3 arrested Horikoshi, who had distributed JCP bills on Sundays, on suspicion of violation of the National Public Service Law and seized boxes of materials as well as PCs after searching six locations, including the JCP Chiyoda District Committee. (end)
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
2-1-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ward, Tokyo
Postal code: 100-8929
Tel: +81+3 3581 4321
Tsukishima Police Station
6-7-19, Kachidoki, Chuo-ward, Tokyo
Postal code: 104-0054
Tel: +81+3 3534 0110
