JCP Shii calls for local suffrage for permanent foreign residents

   Commenting on the Democratic Party’s plan to submit a bill to provide permanent foreign residents with local suffrage, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a press conference on January 24 said, “Concerning this question, it is important for parties to take a step forward by putting aside party interests.”

   Shii explained that the JCP has long advocated giving permanent foreign residents the right to vote and making them eligible to run for election for local public offices, and that the JCP has repeatedly submitted bills to this end.

   “It is a constitutional principle that local governments must reflect residents’ voices. There is no reason to exclude permanent foreign residents from this principle,” Shii said.

   Shii indicated that the JCP may support the DPJ bill, saying, “We will carefully examine the bill, and although the bill only provides the right to vote, its enactment will still be progress, so in principle, we can support it.”

   Shii said, “We have directly received strong requests for local suffrage not only from the Korean Residents Union in Japan but also from members of the South Korean political world. Taking also the historical background into consideration, Japan needs to take a positive step to realize their demand as soon as possible.”
- Akahata, January 25, 2008