Shii attends dinner given by Nicaraguan ambassador

Japan Press Weekly

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

Shii attends dinner given by Nicaraguan ambassador

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 11 attended a dinner given by Nicaraguan Ambassador Saul Arana Castellon at the ambassador's official residence. The dinner was also attended by Seiko Ishikawa, Venezuelan ambassador and Andres G. Ballester, Counselor of the Cuban Embassy as well as JCP Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo.

Arana conveyed a message from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega congratulating Shii on his re-election in the recent House of Representatives general election and expressing friendship and solidarity with the JCP.

Shii thanked Arana for the message and asked him to convey his thanks to President Ortega.

Responding to questions from the three diplomats, Shii explained the present political situation in Japan. He said that the JCP will constructively engage with new Japanese political situation under the Democratic Party-led government and work to influence Japanese politics in cooperation with people's movements.

Topics at the dinner also included issues relating to the Latin American situation, including the coup d'etat in Honduras, the reinforcement of U.S. military bases in Colombia, as well as ways to further develop good relations between Japan and Latin America.

- Akahata, September 12, 2009