Japan Press Weekly

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2017 November 1 - 7 [POLITICS]

JCP agrees on opposition to Article 9 revision with CDPJ

The Japanese Communist Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on November 2 agreed to be united in opposition to Article 9 amendments sought by the Abe government.

They agreed to take this united position during a visit of the CDPJ leadership to the JCP anteroom in the Diet building. Edano Yukio, CDPJ leader, first expressed his gratitude for the JCP support before and during the election campaign and said, "We count on your continued cooperation so that opposition parties can work closely together in the Diet."

Receiving their visit, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo offered his congratulations for the inauguration of the CDPJ and the party's victory in the October 22 general election.

Shii then pointed out that the three opposition parties - JCP, CDPJ, and Social Democratic Party - prior to the election reached a 7-item policy agreement with the Civil Alliance and that the first item was to block the Abe regime from changing Article 9. He said, "We strongly support our united stance in regard to this policy issue."

Edano responded, "That was a promise made between the three parties and is also our firm commitment announced to all the people through the Civil Alliance. So, we intend to honor that agreement."

Shii also touched upon the 39-day special Diet session which started on November 1 and pointed out that the period was extended from the initial eight days to 39 days in response to the opposition parties' demand. He added that "that was the success the opposition force achieved." Tsujimoto Kiyomi, CDPJ Diet policy chief, also said, "The opposition parties' concerted effort brought about this achievement."

Past related article:
> Civil Alliance and new constitutional party confirm common election platform [October 4, 2017]