Japan Press Weekly

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2013 November 13 - 19 [POLITICS]

Progressive forum resolves to encourage single-issue movements to present united front

About 1,700 progressive activists on November 16 met in Osaka’s Sakai City at an event hosted by the National Association for a Peaceful, Democratic, and Progressive Japan (Kakushinkon) to share their grassroots-based experiences, resolving to merge their movements into a united front to change the direction of politics.

A representative of the Fukui Kakushinkon said that his group received major media coverage because of the group’s success in an appeal against a secrets protection bill jointly issued by the local Japanese Communist Party, the Democratic, the Social Democratic, and the Japan Restoration Party.

An activist from the Neyagawa Kakushinkon reported on its tenacious activities attracting people’s attention such as a pro-Article 9 demonstration that has been continuing for nine years, a 6-year action against consumption tax increases, and an antinuke protest during the past year.

Participants gave a loud round of applause to the report on the establishment of a young people’s Kakushinkon in Osaka in May and a Kakushinkon at an NTT affiliate in Kyoto in October.

The leader of the Osaka Youth Kakushinkon said that many youth consider the group to be a cornerstone of their hopes and a place to speak out concerning their worries such as the “black corporation” issue.

Misao Redwolf, head of the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes (MCAN) calling for an end to nuclear power generation together with Kakushinkons, said in solidarity, “Every issue has a connection to other issues. I will work together with others to create a better society.”

Sakai City Mayor Takeyama Osami who had beat a candidate of the Japan Restoration Party led by rightist Osaka Mayor Hashimoto Toru in the Sakai mayoral election as a result of citizens’ movements, sent a message of support to the event.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, a Kakushinkon representative director, delivered a speech focusing on increasing single-issue joint struggles regarding such areas as energy and tax policies.

In order to fundamentally address problems, a democratic society is essential and Japan should stop being so subservient to the United States and placing priority only on the interests of large corporations, Shii said.

He called on Kakushinkons to act as a bridge to contribute to bringing single-issue struggles together into a united front to change Japan in a progressive direction.