Japan Press Weekly

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2018 May 9 - 15 [JCP]

This week’s JCP international activities

Shii meets with Chinese premier

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 10 took part in a meeting held in a Tokyo hotel between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top officials of Japanese opposition parties.

In the meeting, Shii explained to Li about the JCP’s position regarding the prospects for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Shii said that the JCP welcomes the rising expectation of peace on the peninsula and that this historic opportunity should not be wasted. Shii went on to say that the party calls on countries concerned to take two important points into consideration.

Shii said that first, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the peace building process in Northeast Asia should be pursued in a comprehensive manner. Stressing that the prime goal is complete denuclearization, Shii said that in order to achieve this, it is essential to create an environment where North Korea can feel safe without nuclear weapons. “Only making demands and applying economic pressure will not make for good negotiations,” Shii added.

He said that second, goals should be pursued “in a phased manner in line with the principle of ‘commitment for commitment, action for action’", as specified in the September 19, 2005 Six-Party talks joint statement. Shii pointed out, “Under the atmosphere of mutual suspicion, this is still the most realistic and effective approach.”

Shii said, “I hope that the Chinese government will take into account these two points in dealing with the issue and that we can work together to build peace in Northeast Asia.”

Li said that the Chinese government has continuously promoted efforts toward a political solution to the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula. He said that he hopes countries concerned will seek a thorough and final resolution to the problem in a sincere manner.

Koike attends reception held to welcome Chinese premier

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on May 10 attended a reception held in a Tokyo hotel to welcome Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and had friendly conversations with Japanese and foreign guests.

JCP lawmakers take part in Japan-EU parliamentarians’ conference

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Kasai Akira and JCP member of the House of Councilors Takeda Ryosuke attended the 38th Japan-EU parliamentarians’ conference held between members of the European Parliament and the Japanese Diet on May 9 and 10 in the Diet building in Tokyo.

In the conference, Kasai said that it is becoming growingly important to strengthen the Japan-EU relations. He noted that economic cooperation should be promoted based on the principles of equality, mutual interests, and public consensus. Kasai cited the Japanese public’s concern over and opposition to the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

Regarding the problem of climate change, Kasai reported that the JCP works for Japan’s departure from coal-fueled thermal power generation as well as nuclear power generation. He said that European nations are also capitalist countries, but they are working to stop using coal under publicly supported political initiatives. Kasai expressed his intent to promote increased cooperation on this issue.

Ogata attends ‘Europe Day’ reception

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo on May 10 attended a reception held at the office of the Delegation of the European Union in Tokyo to cerebrate “Europe Day”, the anniversary of the EU’s foundation.

At the event, Ogata conveyed his congratulations to EU Ambassador Viorel Isticioaia-Budura and engaged in conversations with event participants.