Japan Press Weekly

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2017 March 8 - 14 TOP3 [JCP]

Firm printing daily Akahata celebrates 70th anniversary

A printing firm supporting the publication of the daily Akahata held a celebration on March 10 in a Tokyo hotel to mark the 70th anniversary of its founding.

Just before the postwar Constitution took effect, Akatsuki Printing, Ltd. was established as a printing house for organ papers and leaflets concerning labor movements as well as for Akahata, the daily paper of the Japanese Communist Party which became legal after WWII.

At the celebration, Akatsuki Printing President Kudo Morio briefly introduced the company history to more than 600 guests from various fields. He said that Akatsuki had overcome a number of difficulties such as the blockade and oppression the company faced at the time of the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.

Kudo expressed his commitment to further develop the company, saying, “As a communal print firm of progressive, democratic journalism, Akatsuki will strictly keep its founding spirit and continue working to help realize a Constitution-based Japan.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, speaking as a guest at the party, expressed his appreciation for Akatsuki for printing Akahata every day after the company started its operations 70 years ago with only 15 workers.

Shii said that the JCP increased its number of Diet seats to 35 from 16 in 2007 when Akatsuki celebrated its 60th year, and that joint struggles between opposition parties and concerned citizens have significantly developed recently. He said that Akatsuki’s day-to-day activities to support the publication of Akahata and of more than 200 print publications related to labor and democratic movements in Japan contributed to bringing about the present outcome.

He also said, “The JCP will celebrate its centennial anniversary in five years’ time. Let’s work together toward the formation of a coalition government consisting of opposition parties!”

Past related articles:
> Shii speaks to commemorate 89th JCP founding anniv. [August 2, 2011]
> Akahata in its 80th year of publication renews determination to carry truth and courage to its readers [February 1, 2008]