Japan Press Weekly

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2019 June 12 - 18 [POLITICS]

JCP policy chief: attacks on private tankers unforgivable

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Kasai Akira on June 14 in regard to the previous day's attacks on tankers, one of which is operated by a Japanese shipping company, near Strait of Hormuz expressed his concern, "It could invite contingency."

Kasai told reporters in the Diet building that it was an absolutely unforgivable act as tensions in the Middle East are rising.

Referring to the fact that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned attacks on non-military vessels and said, "It's very important to know the truth and that responsibilities are clarified," Kasai agreed with the UN secretary general.

Asked to comment on the visit of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo to Iran (Jun.12-Jun.14), Kasai said, "PM Abe explained that he would visit Iran to mediate a conflict between the U.S. and Iran. However, it is the U.S. Trump administration, which unilaterally withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal, that Japan should persuade to abide by the nuclear deal."

Kasai added, "The Japanese government supports the Iran Deal in the first place, and European nations are calling on the Trump administration to keep its commitment to the Iran Deal. In addition, Iran itself promises it won't possess or use nuclear weapons."

Kasai demanded that Budget Committee meetings be held in the Diet, and that PM Abe report on the result of his visit which was the first by a Japanese prime minister in 41 years.