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

JCP opposes every move to justify Japan's past war of aggression and colonization: Shii on the anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII, Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo published the following statement:

The Japanese Communist Party, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, expresses its deep condolences over Japanese and foreign victims of the war of aggression waged under Japanese militarism.

How to view the war that ended 60 years ago is a question sharply posed in Japan and the rest of the world. It was undoubtedly a war of aggression aimed at seizing the territories and resources of other Asian nations. It cost the lives of 20 million Asian people and about 3.1 million Japanese people.

Justifying the war as a war for "Asian liberation" and for "Japan's survival and self-defense," Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro persists in visiting Yasukuni Shrine, a shrine that dedicates itself to promoting false accounts of the war and a false view of history. Asian countries and the rest of the world are criticizing Japan for failing to reflect on the past war of aggression and colonization in Asia. In addition, Japan's diplomacy is totally at an impasse as its Asian neighbors are opposed to Japan's attempt to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The rules of peace set out in the U.N. Charter are founded on the premise of the severe condemnation of the wars of aggression by Japan and Germany, and the determination to never allow the recurrence of such acts of aggression by any country. This is the basis of postwar international politics. If the Japanese government continues to support the "Yasukuni's view of history" that argues that "Japan's war was a just war," Japan will lose its right to exist peacefully in Asia.

Today, in its diplomacy, Japan is strongly called upon to seriously reflect on its past mistakes in the war of aggression and colonization of Asia, and to contribute to peace and friendship in Asia and the rest of the world based on the U.N. Charter. Japan must also stand firmly for the constitutional principles of peace established on the bitter lessons learned from the war of aggression. In so doing can a sure way be opened for Japan to live as an "Asian member." In the coming general election, this will be a major issue that has an important bearing on Japan's future.

The Japanese Communist Party, as a pacifist party that has consistently opposed wars of aggression since the pre-war days, expresses its opposition to every attempt to justify the war of aggression and colonization. The JCP opposes constitutional revisions and defends the Constitution's principles for peace, democracy, and human rights. The JCP will make every possible effort to have the U.N. peace rules take root in Asia and the rest of the world. -- Akahata, August 15, 2005