Japan Press Weekly

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2015 November 18 - 24 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

DYLJ congress resolves to work to help create ‘national coalition gov’t to repeal war legislation’

The 39th annual National Congress of the Democratic Youth League of Japan (DYLJ) on November 23 ended in Shizuoka Prefecture after adopting a resolution calling for the establishment of a “national coalition government to repeal the war legislation” and for building a stronger DYLJ.

On the second day of the three-day Congress, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki delivered a speech. He said that the DYLJ played an important role in encouraging young people to stand up against the Abe government’s runaway policies as sovereign citizens. Yamashita emphasized the need to strengthen public movement calling for the formation of a national coalition government, saying, “Japan has entered a period of political turbulence. Under these circumstances, I hope DYLJ members will learn more about the JCP Program and scientific socialism, get involved in public movements, and work to attract more young people to the organization.”

During the three days of discussions, DYLJ members exchanged their experiences about their activities and their efforts to oppose the war legislation.

A participant from Fukushima Prefecture came to understand that individuals’ action can even influence politicians after taking part in a large demonstration held in Tokyo in June. The participant expressed the intention to organize protest actions also in Fukushima.

A student at a university in the Kanto region mustered up the courage to talk with a classmate who was talking in a classroom about a plan to take part in a protest action against the security legislation, and they started to work together. The student also managed to set up a group involving both students and teachers in the university with help from teachers who are opposed to the war laws.

On the final day, the Congress elected a new leadership led by new DYLJ Chair Koyama Minoru. Koyama said that all participants were full of enthusiasm for bringing down the Abe administration to establish a national coalition government. He expressed his determination to work to create a new society where young people can have hope for a better future in cooperation with DYLJ members all across the country.

Past related articles:
> Youth organizations opposing war bills multiplying nationwide scale [August 14, 2015]
> Young voices against war legislation echo across Japan [July 11-14, 2015]