January 11, 2024

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Yamazoe Taku (a standing secretary of the Japan-ROK Parliamentarians’ Union, Upper House) and JCP lawmakers Kira Yoshiko (Upper House) and Motomura Nobuko (Lower House), along with representatives from other political parties, attended a New Year party held by the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) in Tokyo on January 10.

Mindan Central Headquarters President Kim Yi-joong greeted the participants, saying that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea and the 80th anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese colonial rule. He said that he will work hard to further develop the friendship between Japan and South Korea.

South Korean Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee spoke of the need for Korea and Japan to continue to make efforts to share strategic initiatives in the future.

Yamazoe in his congratulatory address said that at a milestone year, it is essential to look back on history. He noted that, then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in 2015 issued a statement to mark 70 years since the end of WWII in which Abe claimed that historical issues between the two countries had been resolved. Yamazoe said that this statement is a major obstacle for both countries, adding that the need is to return to the spirit of the 1998 Japan-ROK partnership declaration and sincerely look back on historical facts.

He promised that the JCP will continue to work to realize local suffrage for permanent foreign residents in Japan in cooperation with other parties.

Kira expressed her determination to work for the eradication of discrimination and xenophobia in Japan. Motomura said she is committed to protecting the human rights of Korean residents in Japan.