Shii talks with Lower House Speaker and Upper House President

Japan Press Weekly

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

Shii talks with Lower House Speaker and Upper House President

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 21 met with House of Representatives Speaker Kono Yohei and House of Councilors President Eda Satsuki separately to discuss ways to heighten public opinion in Japan, the only atomic-bombed country, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Shii explained the letter he sent to U.S. President Barack Obama calling on him to take the initiative to get rid of nuclear weapons and the U.S. government's response expressing its hope to work with the Japanese government to reach the objective.

Pointing out that "President Obama's speech in Prague has an historic bearing on the survival of humanity," Shii stressed the need to raise the level of international opinion in order to accomplish what the president called for in the speech.

Kono said Shii's response to the U.S. president's call is "commendable". Describing the Prague speech as "historic", Kono said, "It is important for Japan to play a larger role in rousing international opinion."

Eda said, "I'd like to express my respect for the initiatives" Shii took in response to Obama's speech. Stating that the speech is historic as one delivered by the key player on the issue of nuclear weapons, Eda expressed, "I have heard that the speech has generated some cold responses in the U.S. It is all the more important to heighten international opinion."

Shii later said to reporters, "I am happy that we agreed on the significance of President Obama's speech and on the need to increase public opinion calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. We'd like to continue to exchange opinions just as we did today."

- Akahata, May 22, 2009