Japan Press Weekly

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2017 May 10 - 16 [JCP]

Ogata conveys concern over Venezuelan situation to Venezuelan gov’t via embassy in Tokyo

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo, the JCP International Commission chief, on May 9 visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Tokyo to express concern over the situation in Venezuela and called for a peaceful, democratic solution to the problems.

Ogata, through Venezuelan Ambassador to Japan Seiko Ishikawa, conveyed to the Venezuelan government and the ruling United Socialist Party the JCP’s concern about the deepening political, economic, and social crises in Venezuela. Ogata on behalf of the JCP asked that Venezuela peacefully and democratically handle the matter.

Ishikawa in response thanked Ogata for the JCP’s candid opinion and explained the stance that the government of Venezuela is adopting. Ishikawa also said he will convey the JCP message to the country.

Request to the Government of Venezuela and the ruling United Socialist Party (gist)

In your country, many people are now in need due to shortages of food, medicine, and other daily necessities. Because of this, public protest has been increasing. However, the government is reportedly taking suppressive measure, causing casualties. Japanese nationals living in Venezuela are also expressing concern about their lives and safety.

Regarding the ongoing problems in your country, the Fifth Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in the beginning of its political declaration in January this year, called for a democratic resolution of the situation. Out of concern over the present state in Venezuela, eleven Latin American nations in their joint statement issued on April 17 also sought a peaceful resolution. Thus, the Venezuelan situation has become an international problem.

The JCP expresses a strong concern over the ongoing problems in Venezuela. The JCP requests that your government and the governing United Socialist Party immediately stop taking repressive countermeasures against protestors and instead find ways to settle the matter in a peaceful, democratic manner. The JCP hopes that your government and the United Socialist Party will take responsible measures in order to restore the country’s democratic order.