 JCP Shii calls for Diet session to be extended to discuss Iraq matter In discussion on TV Asahi's "Sunday Project" program aired on November 28, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said that the current session of the Diet should be extended to examine the immediate crucial issues, including the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. SDF in Iraq Concerning the government plan to extend the term of the Iraq dispatch of the SDF after it expires on December 14, Shii criticized the Koizumi Cabinet for trying to do so only with approval from the Cabinet after the current session of the Diet and without explaining it to the public. Shii's call for the Diet session to be extended was shared by Democratic Party of Japan President Okada Katsuya and Social Democratic Party President Fukushima Mizuho, who were also present on the discussion program. Yasukuni Shrine visit On the prime minister's Yasukuni Shrine visit, Shii stated: "The government's decision on Yasukuni visits should follow a judgment concerning whether Yasukuni Shrine is the appropriate place for the government to mourn for the war dead based on its own decision." He said that Yasukuni Shrine was used to help carry out the war of aggression, and that it has stood for the view that regards the war of aggression as a just war. Referring to a Zero fighter which is now on display in the compound of Yasukuni Shrine with the explanation: "Zero fighters achieved an unprecedented success in the raid against Chongqin, China," Shii said, "One must not forget that the Japanese air raid killed 20,000 people in Chongqin. He stated, "By continuing to visit Yasukuni Shrine, Mr. Koizumi confirms his support for the war of aggression. This is not merely a domestic political question; it is an international issue. Mr. Koizumi must recognize this important fact." Political donation Concerning the donation of the 100 million yen from the Japan Dentist Association to the Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction led by former Prime Minister Hashimoto Ryutaro, Shii said, "Given the fact that the court has recognized the donation as an act of bribery, the case must go under a thorough parliamentary investigation." (end) |