October 1, 2022

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 30 issued a statement concerning Russia’s move to annex occupied regions in Southern and Eastern Ukraine. The full text of the document, titled, “The Japanese Communist Party condemns Russia’s annexation of occupied regions in Ukraine in violation of the United Nations Charter and demands its immediate cancellation” is as follows:

President Vladimir Putin of Russia on September 29 signed documents to recognize the “independence” of two Southern Ukrainian regions which are under Russian occupation. He is set to sign documents in the afternoon of September 30 to annex the two regions and another two Eastern Ukrainian regions where Russia already recognized their “independence”.

These actions were taken amid the intensifying aggression against and military occupation of Ukraine. These are, as was the case with the 2014 annexation of Crimea, a reckless act in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law prohibiting the threat or use of force and requiring the respect of member states’ sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The JCP condemns Russia’s move in the strongest terms and demands an immediate cancellation of the annexation.

President Putin in a televised speech on September 21 reiterated the nuclear threat by saying, “We will certainly use all the means at our disposal. It's not a bluff", while justifying the annexation referenda and his mobilization order which also covers the annexed regions. It is grave that the annexation push is combined with the nuclear threat.

The JCP strongly denounces the nuclear intimidation which takes human survival hostage. Nuclear weapons must never be used as it will have catastrophic consequences for the world.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on September 29 criticized Russia’s move in unusually strong words, saying, “It flouts the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.” It is nothing but an act of great-power chauvinism and hegemonism which does not hesitate to break the U.N. Charter and international law in order for territorial expansion.

The JCP denounces Russia’s move undermining the global peace order and urges Russia to stop its military aggression without delay and completely withdraw its troops from Ukraine. It calls on the world to unite in order to collectively pressure Russia to end its aggressive war and abide by the U.N. Charter.