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

JCP and SDP agree to block constitutional revision

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 22 met with Social Democratic Party President Fukushima Mizuho in Tokyo and exchanged opinions concerning constitutional issues.

Shii and Fukushima confirmed that each party will continue to make efforts to have the majority of the population oppose an adverse revision of the Constitution and to defend Article 9. They agreed that the important task is now to oppose a national referendum bill which will help pave the way to constitutional revision and that they will carry forward struggles to block it. The two heads also agreed to hold meetings when needed.

After the meeting, Shii said, "I hope JCP-SDP relations will make progress step by step."

This meeting was held in response to the JCP proposal made in January for a JCP-SDP talk by party leaders on a joint struggle to oppose an adverse revision of the Constitution and to defend Article 9.
- Akahata, March 23, 2006

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In answer to reporters in the Diet on March 23, JCP chair Shii stated as follows:

"Given the fact that talks have not been held for many years between the leaders of the two parties, our talks on March 22 marked a useful first step as we exchanged views and established a relationship of mutual understanding and trust."
- Akahata, March 24, 2006