Japan Press Weekly

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2018 May 30 - June 5 [JCP]

Shii talks with Vietnamese president

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 31 met with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Tokyo and exchanged views on the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. The two agreed to work to further strengthen their cooperation for peace in the region and the world as well as for the development of relations between the two nations.

President Quang said that he is glad to know that the JCP is increasing its presence not only in Japan’s political arena but also in international activities, adding that he hopes that the party will make further advances.

In response, Shii expressed his welcome for the president’s visit to Japan and said that he is delighted that the friendship between the two nations continues to grow.

Shii thanked him for Vietnam’s cooperation in the adoption of the nuclear weapons ban treaty at the UN conference last year. He also extended his gratitude to the president for sending his message in solidarity to the World Conference against A and H Bombs which is annually held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Shii said that he wishes that Japan, the only A-bombed nation, and Vietnam which was attacked by chemical weapons including Agent Orange during the war against the U.S. will jointly work for a “world without nuclear weapons”.

Regarding the Korean Peninsula situation, Shii referred to the recent inter-Korean summit meeting and the scheduled meeting between the U.S. and North Korean leaders, and said, “I’m really pleased at the current progress toward reaching a peaceful resolution of the North Korea issue.” He then explained that calling for making this move a success, the JCP has presented to relevant countries its proposal that the denuclearization of the peninsula and the building of a peace structure in Northeast Asia should be promoted in an integrated manner and that as a realistic approach, step-by-step measures should be taken in this regard.

Pointing out that Vietnam is a major ASEAN member and the nation having harmonious relations with North Korea, the U.S., and Japan, Shii asked the president for his further support for resolving the matter in a peaceful manner.

Quang in reply said that Vietnam has been consistent in calling for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and working for a peaceful resolution. He went on to say that as a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam seeks to contribute to bringing about a peaceful settlement to the Korean Peninsula issue.

Shii and Quang also discussed the South China Sea issue and the development of relations between the JCP and its Vietnamese counterpart. They reached an agreement to continue to engage in interparty exchanges, such as theoretical exchanges.

Those who were present in the meeting included Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Ngyen Ouoc Cuong, JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira, and JCP Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo.

Past related articles:
> Shii calls on US and N. Korea leaders to continue work to hold summit meeting [May 26, 2018]
> JCP Chair Shii meets with PM Abe to discuss North Korea issue [ April 10, 2018]
> JCP welcomes move to hold US-North Korea summit talks [ March 10, 218]