September 23, 2022

Russian President Putin on September 21 in a televised address announced his order for the mobilization of 300,000 reservists for the war in Ukraine. In addition, he hinted at the possible use of nuclear weapons by saying, “When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal…This is not a bluff.”

On the following day at a press conference, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, asked for a comment from the press corps, said that it is totally unacceptable that President Putin blatantly made the threat of the potential use of nuclear weapons.

Shii went on to say, “With Russia irritated with the fact that the Russian military is making little progress and facing an uphill battle in the Ukraine war, the danger of actual use of nuclear weapons is increasing. This must be averted. The international community should now raise its strong voice in protest.”

Furthermore, Shii said, “Russia has only one choice. That is to decide on a swift withdrawal from Ukraine. There’s no other way to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. I, again, strongly call on Russia to make this choice.”