Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 October 30 - November 5 [JCP]

Ogata speaks at socialism forum in Beijing

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo on October 30 spoke on issues pertaining to the Abe Cabinet’s distorted view of history and the territorial row between Japan and China at the fourth world socialism forum held in Beijing.

Ogata emphasized the importance of seeking solutions to disputes by utilizing political and diplomatic means.

As factors that have destabilized the situation in Northeast Asia, he cited the concerns in regard to North Korea’s nuclear development program, the Japan-China territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, and the strengthening of the U.S. presence in Asia in line with its military realignment in the region.

In addition, the Japanese prime minister’s historical interpretations and distortions have been causing tensions to increase between Japan and China as well as between Japan and South Korea preventing the holding of talks with either nation’s leader, Ogata pointed out.

Even the United States has been concerned about the political tensions in Northeast Asia caused by the present Japanese government. Ogata stated, in short, the pressing need is for Japan to have an internationally acceptable understanding of history.

Regarding the Senkaku Islands issue, Ogata proposed that both Japan and China work toward a cool-headed solution via diplomatic talks; strictly refrain from taking military measures; and make every effort to not negatively affect the bilateral economic relations as well as the social and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

The forum took place on October 30-31 in Beijing under the auspices of the world socialism research center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Participants, including 36 scholars and political party representatives from 17 countries and 120 Chinese academics, discussed such topics as the state of capitalism after the 2008 Lehman Shock and the current state of socialism in the world.