JCP demands defense minister’s dismissal

   Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on July 2 admonished Defense Minister Kyuma Fumio for his remark that the U.S. atomic bombings on Japan “couldn’t be helped,” urging him “to not make remarks that may give rise to misunderstandings.”

   In their meeting held at the prime minister’s official residence, Kyuma said, “My remark has caused serious misunderstandings. I am very sorry for the Hibakusha. I retract the remark and apologize for it. I also caused the cabinet harm.”

   However, the prime minister rejected the opposition parties’ demand for Kyuma’s dismissal. On the same day, Kyuma showed that he took it lightly, saying “Opposition parties often make such demands.”

   Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi at a press conference on the same day once again demanded the removal of Kyuma as the defense minister.

   Ichida also condemned Prime Minister Abe for defending Kyuma. Ichida called for a budget committee meeting to be held in the current Diet session with Kyuma attending in order to make clear his responsibility.

   Abe in the beginning insisted that Kyuma only meant to introduce how the U.S. government recognizes the atomic bombings, but on July 2 he called on the defense minister not to mislead the people.

   Ichida said, “The public does not misunderstand his remark. As the minister of the only A-bombed nation, Mr. Kyuma must not be allowed to make such remarks. The prime minister totally fails to recognize how grave this issue is.”

   Ichida expressed determination that the JCP in Diet discussions will seek to hold Kyuma responsible for the remark and make efforts to obtain a severe verdict on this issue in the House of Councilors election.

- Akahata, July 3, 2007