Progressive forum calls for strengthening of movement in response to historic change in politics

Japan Press Weekly

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

Progressive forum calls for strengthening of movement in response to historic change in politics

The Association for Peace, Democracy, and Progressive Change of Politics (Kakushinkon) held its 29th General Assembly in Nara City and confirmed an action plan for next year to further develop the Kakushinkon movement from the grassroots level.

Founded in 1980 at the call of the Japanese Communist Party, Kakushinon cooperates with diverse groups of people to work together to develop a movement to build a national majority in support of democratic change in Japan’s politics.

This year’s General Assembly took place with the largest ever readership of the monthly Kakushinkon newsletter and with 795 Kakushinkon circles in local communities, workplaces, and young people throughout Japan.

Kakushinkon executive member Daikoku Sakuji, president of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), said, “We should increase the Kakushinkon movement in both quality and quantity appropriate to the current historic change in Japanese politics.”

With pride in the accomplishments of the 30 years of the movement, participants agreed to carry on the Kakushinkon movement in cooperation with various people and organizations to tackle immediate concerns including peace, democracy and people’s livelihoods.

Based on this year’s action plan, Kakushinkon will move forward with its activities in defense of job security, social welfare, and the environment, create safe towns, and oppose adverse constitutional revision and the Japan-U.S. military alliance.

Kakushinkon will also make special efforts to include more conservatives and anti-LDP-Komei people, those who had previously nothing to do with Kakushinkon.

- Akahata, October 25, 2009