Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan President Izumi Kenta held a talk in the Diet building on October 23, and confirmed that the two parties will “work together and join forces” in the next general election.

After the meeting, Shii said, “Today, we have confirmed the very first step toward bringing concrete shape to an opposition alliance. This has significant meaning. The JCP will work to rebuild collaboration among opposition parties and reconnect with concerned citizens.”

During the talk, Izumi called for JCP’s cooperation in the current Diet session and said, “The CDPJ hopes to ‘work together and join forces’ with the JCP in the upcoming general election in order to minimize the number of seats won by ruling parties.”

Shii responded that the JCP is positive about intra-Diet cooperation with the CDPJ. Regarding Izumi’s “work together and join forces” request, Shii said, “Our party has been telling the CDPJ that we are always ready to make joint efforts as long as his party makes clear its intent to seek some form of cooperation with our party. In this sense, I’m glad about the decision the CDPJ has made.”

Shii added, “In order to oust the Kishida government, a united effort of opposition parties with concerned citizens will be very important. It is necessary for both of us to approach the general election in cooperation with the Civil Alliance.”