  Akahata reporter speaks at Beijing symposiumKodera Matsuo, the Beijing Bureau chief of Akahata, the Japanese Communist Party newspaper, spoke on the activities of Akahata at a panel discussion on October 11 in the international symposium on "peaceful development and security." The event was sponsored by the Japan institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and was attended by journalists from Japan, South Korea, and China. Following is a translation of Kodera's statement as reported in the October 17 issue of Akahata: Akahata is the organ paper of the Japanese Communist Party with a readership of about 1.7 million for the daily and Sunday editions combined. It has correspondents in ten cities around the world: Beijing, Hanoi, New Delhi, Cairo, Paris, London, Berlin, Moscow, Washington D.C., and Mexico City. Akahata correspondents and reporters sent from the Akahata head office in Tokyo have covered not only the countries of their assignment but also the regions that include them. For example, in the past three years, our correspondents have frequently visited Central and South America (Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina), Southeast Asia (Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Cambodia), South Asia (Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan), the Middle East and Africa (Iraq, Syria, Tunisia, and South Africa), Eastern Europe (Poland, former Yugoslavia, and Czech Republic), as well as almost all Western European countries. To South Korea, Akahata sends a reporter as the need arises. This is how Akahata is trying to report on the world's emerging movements toward peace and stability. Akahata reports on how illegal and aggressive the Iraq War is The Iraq War is a typical example of what hegemony or unilateralism brings about in the world. It, in fact, was started in complete disregard of the United Nations by trampling on the U.N. Charter and international law. Akahata from the outset has regarded the Iraq War as a war of aggression. Meanwhile, a movement is developing toward establishing a world order in compliance with the U.N. Charter and international law, an order based on internationalism. In Asia, for example, moves are developing rapidly toward peace and rejection of war, to establish new cooperation and an international order based on the principles of equality free from military allies, of mutual respect for sovereignty, and of noninterference in other countries' internal affairs. Under these circumstances, the mass media have a very important role to play. Akahata always tries to provide accurate information and analyses of the international situation in order to let its readers understand the essence and outlook of world trends. Akahata calls for peaceful coexistence and dialogue between cultures Akahata reports international affairs in order to contribute to the peaceful resolution of international disputes, the elimination of nuclear weapons, and the establishment of a new democratic international order in opposition to any hegemony or military alliance. Through correspondents' reporting from the scenes, Akahata has fully criticized the U.S. war against Vietnam, the former Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia and aggression against Afghanistan. Standing for a world free of nuclear weapons, Akahata has reported on international movements for banning and abolishing nuclear weapons. While encouraging the Japanese public and movements calling for peace, we are trying to steer the public into an effort to demand that the Japanese government clearly reflect on its history of militarism and colonialism and change its foreign policy into one of independence and respect for Asia. We put importance on friendship and cooperation with Asian countries and oppose any hegemonic action that may destroy the international order for peace. We call for the peaceful coexistence of countries with different social systems and for dialogue and coexistence with cultures with different values. Recently, the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) was held in Beijing, bringing together ruling and opposition parties in Asian countries with ideological differences. It adopted the "Beijing Declaration" that set out common goals concerning peace and cooperation. The conference was a great success. Akahata gave extensive coverage to the event. Akahata takes note of movements toward East Asian community Akahata is trying to report on change in Asia so we can think about the issues together with the readers. A movement toward peace, dialogue, and international cooperation has been led by the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. It is now spreading to the whole of Asia, including South Asia and Northeast Asia, as clear from the fact that some extra-regional countries have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on Southeast Asia, and with the recent participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) by India and Pakistan. In this context, moves are emerging inside the ASEAN community to form an East Asian community. Akahata pays close attention to the moves in ASEAN, particularly the initiative for constructing an East Asia community. Symposiums on an East Asia community were held last year and this year in Malaysia. The Akahata foreign news department chief attended the meeting together with a JCP representative and took part in the discussions and later reported on the event and the new movement in Asia. South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun used his visit to Japan last year to call for peace and cooperation to be established in Northeast Asia. It is significant for northeast Asian countries to cooperate with each other to build a peaceful region. For peace and stability of Asia, it is urgent to achieve reasonable solutions of nuclear and other questions relating to North Korea from the position of calling for nuclear weapons abolition. The Six-Party Talks have been held three times in Beijing under the sponsorship of the Chinese government and have made some progress. Akahata is reporting on the talks in a way that makes clear what the problems are and shows what the solution should be. If the Six-Party Talks produce results, they will possibly contribute to the region's security and peace. It is particularly important to solve the abduction issue and normalize Japan-North Korea relations. Akahata reports are based on the notion that issues should be dealt with based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration (September 17, 2002). Akahata calls for reflection of the past for the sake of peace and friendship The important task of Japanese media is to take up the actual developments of Japan's politics and diplomacy in the context of peace and development of East Asia. If we are to develop Asia's peace and cooperation, Japan's diplomacy must change to one of standing on its own feet, seeking peace and friendship, and putting emphasis on Asia. In this respect, it is important to reflect on the mistakes of Japanese militarism in the past. Visits to Yasukuni Shrine by Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro and other cabinet members are one of the important issues related to militarism that needs a clear solution. Next year, we will observe the 60th anniversary of the end of WW II. Wounds that China, South Korea, and North Korea suffered during the Japanese invasion have not been healed yet. It is the responsibility of Japanese media to contribute to improving a mutual understanding and friendship between Japan, China, and South Korea as well as between their peoples. Akahata takes it as an important domestic task to report on the popular struggles against an adverse revision of the Constitution, cuts in social programs, as well as the movement for the removal of U.S. military bases in Japan. We will make further efforts to develop mutual understanding between Japan and China, South Korea, and other Asian countries. We will also devote ourselves to peace, friendship, and cooperation in Asia. (end) |