JCP will play a role of 'opposition party of constructive engagement' in the new political situation: Shii

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP will play a role of 'opposition party of constructive engagement' in the new political situation: Shii

On September 16, when the Democratic Party-led cabinet under Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio was inaugurated, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo stated the JCP position to play a constructive role as an opposition party in the emerging political situation. "Let us make every effort to meet the needs of the public by displaying our wisdom and power in the new Diet that offers us an arena to wage a worthwhile struggle," he said.

Speaking at the general assembly of JCP members of the Diet in the morning, Shii noted the changes taking place in political parties' interrelationships following the change of political power. He stated as follows:

"The Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party are now ruling parties, and they will make statements regarding legislative affairs as ruling parties. While there will be positive possibilities, these parties will be affected by their position as ruling parties. As for the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komei Party, they have become opposition parties, but it will be difficult if not impossible for them to defend the fundamental interests of the public because they have so far done the opposite. So, they will not be able to play a positive role from the public point of view unless they take steps to make a critical review of their past misgovernment."

Shii emphasized that the JCP is the only opposition party in the new Diet to be able to defend the public interest and advance the political process in a positive direction. "As an 'opposition party of constructive engagement,' the JCP will work to promote policies that are in the public interest while opposing any policies that are not," he said.

Pointing out that the new government is of a "transitional" nature, Shii said, "Whether the new government will push ahead with policies in the right direction or not will depend on the development of people's struggles and public awareness, and in particular the efforts of the JCP to influence public opinion and raise political awareness."

Then Shii called on JCP Dietmembers to keep in mind the following three viewpoints in their activities in the Diet:

(1) The JCP Dietmembers are required to enhance their capabilities to deal with legislative affairs. When the new government and the ruling parties work in the public interest, the JCP Dietmembers must work in a manner that impresses upon the public that "the JCP is making efforts to improve the policies."

Referring to the JCP's supply to the DPJ of U.S. documents that support the existence of a secret Japan-U.S. agreement allowing the bringing of U.S. nuclear weapons into Japan, Shii encouraged JCP Dietmembers to become better versed than DPJ Dietmembers and ministers in various affairs so they can offer consultation.

(2) The JCP needs to work even harder, hand in hand with grassroots movements, so that Japan's politics will take a progressive turn.

Citing the demand for a drastic revision of the Worker Dispatch Law, the abolition of the discriminatory health insurance system for the elderly 75 and over, and opposition to the strengthening of the functions of U.S. military bases in Japan, Shii stated that the JCP, with its local organizations across the country and its solidarity with these movements, is qualified to play a major role in pushing ahead to achieve these goals.

(3) The JCP will increase its policy-making efforts as part of the implementation of the Program of the Japanese Communist Party. In the changing political situation, we will deal with the struggle to get the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty abrogated from the viewpoint of establishing a peaceful environment and winning a majority of the Japanese people to oppose the military alliance system.

In the aftermath of the end of the LDP-Komei government, Shii stated, "There may be ups and downs, but this is going to be the start of a new political process that will pave the way toward establishing a democratic coalition government that will genuinely serve the interests of the general public, the true protagonists."

- Akahata, September 17, 2009