March 19, 22 and 25, 2014

JCP Ogata visits Laos

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo on March 24 met with Sounthone Xayachack, vice head of the External Relations Commission of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

Sounthone welcomed Ogata, saying that his visit to her country will significantly contribute to developing the friendship between the LPRP and the JCP.

Referring to the major advance the JCP achieved in last year’s Upper House election, Ogata explained the main points of the resolution of the JCP 26th Congress held in January. He noted that learning from ASEAN’s experiences, the JCP advocates creating a similar framework in Northeast Asia for peace and cooperation so that countries in the region can foster mutual trust through dialogue.

Expressing his gratitude to Lao President Choummaly Sayasone (General Secretary of the LPRP) for sending a message of support to the 2013 World Conference against A and H Bombs held in Japan, Ogata stated his determination to work to urge the global community to launch negotiations aimed at concluding a Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC).

In response, Sounthone said that Laos is one of the nations affected seriously by the Vietnam War and a number of Lao people are still suffering from the effects of the poison Agent Orange sprayed by the U.S. Forces along the Laos-Vietnam border regions. She underscored the significance of abolishing all mass destruction weapons in the world, including nuclear weapons.

JCP Koike attends Tunisia’s National Day reception

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Koike Akira on March 20 attended the Tunisian National Day reception held in Tokyo. He had friendly conversations with other Japanese and foreign guests.

Shii sends congratulatory message to next Salvadorian President

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 18 sent his congratulatory message to Salvador Sanchez Ceren who won the El Salvador presidential election this month.

In the message, Shii expressed his high expectations for the next government and hope that the friendship between the JCP and Ceren’s party, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), will further develop in the future.

JCP chair meets with Vietnamese president

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 18 met with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang at the State Guesthouse in Tokyo. They agreed to strengthen cooperation to achieve peace in East Asia and a world free from nuclear weapons.

Shii expressed his welcome for Sang’s visit to Japan. Regarding the fact that the JCP and the Communist Party of Vietnam have developed a good relationship for 48 years, he said it is his pleasure that the two parties have deepened their relationship such as cooperation for peace in Asia and the world and engaged in theoretical studies on socialism through bilateral meetings.

President Sang in reply said he is glad that the two parties are building a strong relationship and expressed his intention to further develop the ties.

Shii explained to the CPV head about the JCP plan for creating a framework of peace in Northeast Asia which was approved in the party’s 26th Congress. He proposed to increase a joint effort for creating a peaceful community in East Asia.

Sang said that while complicated situations exist in the Asian region, the JCP’s plan is very important.

JCP Shii said it is important to achieve the start of negotiations for a Nuclear Weapons Convention at the 2015 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said he hopes the two parties further work together for a world free from nuclear weapons.

The Vietnamese president welcomed Shii’s proposal and said that Vietnam has the same view. “The struggle will be long and tough, but, it is for the good of the humanity and I believe we will be successful,” he said.