Shii speaks at meeting of ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean states

Japan Press Weekly

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

Shii speaks at meeting of ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean states

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo was invited to a breakfast meeting of ambassadors of the Latin American and Caribbean Group on March 18 and talked about the JCP’s diplomatic activities, the Japanese political situation, and some pressing topics concerning international politics.

Shii first talked about the JCP’s basic stance regarding diplomatic activities that the party established in 1999, that it will open relations with any party if they share an interest in beginning mutual exchanges regardless of whether that party is conservative or progressive or whether it is a ruling party or opposition party. This is based on the JCP’s position of sovereign independence, explained Shii, stating that throughout its struggle against the former Soviet Union’s interference, the party made clear that Japanese people must be free to decide on a future course they will take by themselves without any super power interference. He also explained that the JCP had welcomed the collapse of the Soviet Union as “the end to the party of colossal historical evil.”

Concerning domestic political issues, Shii explained two characteristics of Japanese politics that have no parallel in other capitalist countries: the extraordinary subordination to the U.S. and arbitrary control of business circles and large corporations, as well as issues in regard to the new government led by the Democratic Party of Japan which does not have any intention to break away from these defining characteristics.

Showing a graph indicating that major corporations’ internal reserves have increased while employees’ wages have decreased in Japan, Shii stated that the JCP calls for the establishment of an economy governed by rules in order to defend the people’s living conditions.

Moving on to international topics, the JCP chair stated that the party defends the world’s peace order based on the U.N. Charter and opposes any hegemonic attempts to destroy it. He stated that the JCP welcomes the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia (TAC) and the declaration to form a Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Citing that Latin American countries concluded the first nuclear-weapon-free zone treaty in the world, Shii said that the JCP is convinced that a start of international negotiations for the abolition of nuclear weapons will pave the way for a world without nuclear weapons. He concluded his talk by stating that the JCP hopes to contribute to developing international cooperation on this issue.

- Akahata, March 19, 2010