May 21, 2023

The National Association for a Peaceful, Democratic, and Progressive Japan (Kakushinkon) on May 20 held its 42nd annual general meeting in Tokyo, and resolved to prevent the Kishida government move to prepare for war. They also resolve to build a society which utilizes the Constitution and advance a united front as many people as possible.

Takada Ken of The Civil Alliance, which works to abolish the national security-related legislation (aka. war laws) and restore constitutionalism, spoke as a guest. He stressed, “The need now is to overcome unjust attacks against the collaborative relations between opposition parties and concerned citizens and to rebuild those relations in order to bring down the Kishida government, the worst and most dangerous government in postwar Japan.” He called on participants to join hands in order to wage a struggle to prevent Japan from taking a path toward war.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in his speech condemned the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament for its stance to stick to nuclear deterrence policy, and said that it is unacceptable for G7 leaders to publish such a document at the A-bombed city of Hiroshima.

Shii pointed out that the Liberal Democratic Party, Komei Party, “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, and the Democratic Party for the People jointly bulldozed anti-people bills through the Diet, undermining peace, the Constitution, and democracy. He appealed for the need to revive the joint efforts of opposition parties and concerned citizens in order to put an end to the four-party coalition’s mal-administration.

Shii said that together with Kakushinkon, the JCP will work hard to unite these popular movements, push the Kishida government to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election, and turn Japan into a nation with hope.