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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Permanent UNSC seat and Yasukuni visit do not go together

In the Diet discussion on June 30, Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Ogata Yasuo stated the JCP's position that the Japanese government should realize the importance of settling historical issues if it seeks a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.

At the Upper House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Ogata cited two conditions for Japan to seek to become a permanent UNSC member: (1) Japan must defend the U.N. Charter principles and firmly criticize acts that are in violation of these principles; and (2) Japan should make efforts to gain trust and respect from other Asian countries.

Pointing out that nearly 90 percent of Chinese and South Korean people are opposed to Japan's gaining a permanent seat on the UNSC, Ogata stated, "The U.N. established an international order of peace based on the victory of democracy over fascism and militarism." He stressed that Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's visit to Yasukuni Shrine is incompatible with Japan's candidacy for a permanent UNSC seat because Yasukuni's view of history challenges the U.N. principles.

Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka said, "Although Yasukuni Shrine has its own view of war, the Prime Minister does not visit there to endorse such view." - Akahata, July 1, 2005