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2023 January 18 - 24 [POLITICS]

JCP Chair on Japan-US Joint Statement: JCP opposes the push for aggressive military alliance

In response to a joint statement by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on January 14 issued a statement. The full text of his statement is as follows:

The Japanese Communist Party resolutely opposes the push for a far more aggressive Japan-U.S. military alliance
-- On the Joint Statement of Japan and the U.S.

January 14, 2023
Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo

(1)
The most significant aspect in this Joint Statement by Japan and the United States is the explicit reference to “reinforc[ing] cooperation on the development and effective employment of Japan’s counterstrike and other capabilities”. This is an open declaration that the Self-Defense Forces, under the command and control of the U.S. military, will use its enemy base strike capability to attack hostile countries if deemed necessary.

Until now, the government has explained that under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the Self-Defense Forces would play only the role of a "shield" and the U.S. military would play the role of a "spear". The latest Japan-U.S. Joint Statement is a complete change in this stance, with Japan and the U.S. acting as a united "spear" in war. This is nothing less than a declaration to the world of its intent to turn the Japan-U.S. military alliance into a highly aggressive one.

(2)
At the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, Prime Minister Kishida reported that his cabinet approved three key national security documents which stipulate the possession of an enemy base strike capability and a major military build-up. President Biden "commended Japan’s bold leadership".

The Kishida government decided on a major shift in Japan's post-war security policy with a single "cabinet approval", without seeking public support in an election or explaining it in the Diet or to the public. Kishida reported to the U.S. first and pledged his allegiance to the U.S. This attitude cannot be described as that of the government of an independent country, and must be described as the height of obsequiousness and subservience to the U.S.

The JCP resolutely opposes the push for a far more aggressive Japan-U.S. military alliance. The JCP demands the withdrawal of the cabinet approval of the documents which deny the “exclusively defensive defense" principle and accelerate the move to create an offensive war-fighting nation.

(3)
The Japan-U.S. Joint Statement sees China and North Korea as the sources of “growing challenges” and seeks to address them by strengthening the deterrence and countermeasure capabilities of the Japan- U.S. alliance. It also cites the move to encircle China by the Quad alliance–Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India. Such military bloc-building will heighten regional tensions and divisions, accelerate the vicious spiral of military-to-military confrontations, and increase the risk of war.

The need now for Japan is, as the JCP proposes in its diplomatic vision, to pursue a diplomatic strategy based on Article 9 of the Constitution which seeks to create peace in East Asia by working with ASEAN and strengthening the framework of peace to include all nations in the region.

This is the only realistic and rational direction to follow. This is highlighted by the fact that the Japan-U.S. Joint Statement was unable to oppose the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and expressed its support for it. The creation of an inclusive framework of peace and not an exclusive one will pave the way for a peaceful East Asia without the fear of war.