August 16, 2016
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira, member of the House of Councilors, on August 15 attended a Korean ceremony held in Tokyo as a guest to celebrate the 1945 Korean independence from the Empire of Japan.
In the Gwangbokjeol ceremony, Oh Gong-tae, president of the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan), said he views the enactment of a law to counter racism and xenophobic speech mainly against permanent Korean residents living in Japan as a step forward. However, he added, “Unfortunately, hate speech demonstrations still continue. I will keep working on this issue.” South Korean Ambassador to Japan Lee Joon-gyu read a commemorative message on behalf of President Park Geun-hye.
JCP Koike in his greeting said, “Citizens’ earnest call for the eradication of hate speech acts, which violate the dignity of foreign residents, has led to the enactment of the anti-hate speech law. This was an important milestone achieved by all-party efforts in the Diet. In order to put a complete end to ethnic discrimination in Japan and establish a peaceful multi-cultural society, I will do my best to help to achieve this.”
He added, “The JCP forerunners, until the end of the Pacific War, braved fierce crackdowns and tenaciously opposed militarist Japan’s war of aggression and its colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula in solidarity with the struggle of Korean activists for independence. I, as a JCP member, will work together with you to further promote Japan-Korea friendship and bring about true peace in Northeast Asia.”
Koike also mentioned the territorial issue between Japan and South Korea. He stressed that both governments should refrain from actions that increase tensions and should look for cool-headed diplomatic resolutions to the issue. His statement received a loud round of applause.
Past related article:
> Japan’s legislature makes a big step forward to end hate speech [May 13 & 14, 2016]
In the Gwangbokjeol ceremony, Oh Gong-tae, president of the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan), said he views the enactment of a law to counter racism and xenophobic speech mainly against permanent Korean residents living in Japan as a step forward. However, he added, “Unfortunately, hate speech demonstrations still continue. I will keep working on this issue.” South Korean Ambassador to Japan Lee Joon-gyu read a commemorative message on behalf of President Park Geun-hye.
JCP Koike in his greeting said, “Citizens’ earnest call for the eradication of hate speech acts, which violate the dignity of foreign residents, has led to the enactment of the anti-hate speech law. This was an important milestone achieved by all-party efforts in the Diet. In order to put a complete end to ethnic discrimination in Japan and establish a peaceful multi-cultural society, I will do my best to help to achieve this.”
He added, “The JCP forerunners, until the end of the Pacific War, braved fierce crackdowns and tenaciously opposed militarist Japan’s war of aggression and its colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula in solidarity with the struggle of Korean activists for independence. I, as a JCP member, will work together with you to further promote Japan-Korea friendship and bring about true peace in Northeast Asia.”
Koike also mentioned the territorial issue between Japan and South Korea. He stressed that both governments should refrain from actions that increase tensions and should look for cool-headed diplomatic resolutions to the issue. His statement received a loud round of applause.
Past related article:
> Japan’s legislature makes a big step forward to end hate speech [May 13 & 14, 2016]
