Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2022 January 26 - February 1 [POLITICS]

Religious figures call for advancing opposition parties’ unification in defiance of anti-communist propaganda

Regardless of differences in faith, religious figures on January 27 held an exchange meeting with opposition Dietmembers, including Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Ito Gaku, in the Diet building under the theme of advancing pro-constitutional opposition parties’ collaboration without being weakened by anti-communist propaganda.

National Christian Council in Japan General Secretary and Reverend Kim Sungjae on behalf of organizers delivered a speech. Quoting German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller’s famous poem, Kim said, “To not speak out against anti-communist attacks could lead to a situation where it is too late for the bird to scream when it is caught. For us, as religious persons, it is necessary to take a leading role in peace movements and work to link opposition parties together to achieve justice in politics.”

Some participants expressed their views on the theme.

Ono Bunko, a Nichiren Buddhism priest, said that it is important for opposition parties to discuss with concerned citizens on an equal footing. Hiruma Noriko of the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace appealed for the need to break away from hostile bias against communists. Taira Aika, a pastor of the Christian Network for Peace-sticking to the Peace Constitution, said, “I know there are anti-communist sentiments within Protestant churches in Japan. The important thing is to update our knowledge base and share what we have learned about communism with as many people as we can.”

Along with JCP Ito, three other opposition lawmakers delivered speeches.

Ito in his speech pointed out that in the general election campaign in October 2021, a fierce propaganda campaign aimed at weakening the JCP and the opposition parties’ unified efforts was launched. He expressed his determination to develop the collaborative ties among opposition parties into stronger ones in order to win in the upcoming Upper House election in defiance of any hostile propaganda.