Japan Press Weekly

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2020 March 25 - 31 TOP3 [JCP]

How JCP responds to policy differences with other coalition parties after formation of new gov't

The Japanese Communist Party differs in political opinions and policies from other opposition parties, but it will not insist on overcoming these differences in order to form a coalition government consisting of current opposition parties.

Self-Defense Forces

The JCP considers the Self-Defense Forces as unconstitutional given Article 9 of the Constitution declaring the commitment to non-possession of war potential. To solve this contradiction between the Constitution and the SDF, disarmament steps will be taken in stages based on national consensus. Only after an overwhelming majority of the public in the future come to think that the nation's peace and security can be ensured without the SDF will the dissolution of the SDF and the complete implementation of Article 9 be undertaken.

The immediate question, however, is not regarding the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of the SDF, but whether the overseas dispatch of the SDF is legitimate under the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution. A potential opposition coalition government will work to retract PM Abe's "Cabinet decision" enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and will also work to abolish the national security-related legislation (so-called war laws). In sum, the scrapping of the mechanism which leads to the use of force abroad will be the top priority in a coalition government.

What comes next after a coalition government retracts the "Cabinet decision" is a return to the conventional constitutional interpretation, i.e., the existence of the SDF is constitutional but the use of the right to collective self-defense is unconstitutional.

Japan-US Security Treaty

The JCP considers that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty lies at the root of Japan's aberrant form of politics subservient to the United States. The JCP aims to abrogate the treaty with the consent of a large majority of the people based on the provision in the treaty's Article 10 and instead conclude a bilateral friendship treaty on an equal footing.

A coalition government will "maintain and continue" the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty while working for the abrogation of the national security-related legislation. First, a new government will handle the issue within the framework of the treaty and relevant laws. Second, a new government will keep the treaty's status quo. Third, a new government will not touch upon anything about the treaty's abrogation.

Instead, a coalition government will look to revise the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and put an end to the construction of the new U.S. base in Nago City's Henoko in Okinawa as already agreed upon among the present opposition parties. Implementation of these things itself will be an important step to correcting Japan's aberrant form of politics subservient to the United States.

Emperor system

The JCP, as clarified in its Program, complies with all the provisions and the preamble of the Constitution. The Emperor clause of the Constitution strictly limits acts of the Emperor in matters of state, stipulating that "he shall not have powers related to government". The JCP, as one of its key agenda items, aims to end the use of the Emperor for political purposes and rectify all deviations from constitutional provisions and principles regarding the Emperor.

The JCP as a vision for the future "calls for a political system to be established under a democratic republic". The JCP Program states that "[t]he Emperor system is a system provided for by the Constitution, and its continuation or discontinuation should be decided by the will of the majority of the people in future, when the time is ripe to do so."

A coalition government will adhere to all constitutional provisions and principles. For example, the Emperor attests to the appointment of Ministers of State and other officials. This is one of his acts in "matters of state" under the Constitution and will not change even after the formation of a coalition government. However, a new government will strictly refrain from the use of the Emperor and the Emperor system for political purposes.

Socialism and communism

The JCP aims to achieve a democratic revolution aimed at building a Japan where the people are the "key players" within the framework of capitalism. Only after all these social changes are accomplished will the path for a society which overcomes capitalism, namely socialism or communism, be paved based on the wishes of the majority of the people.

The form of socialism or communism that the JCP pursues is nothing like the former Soviet Union and China which committed hegemonic acts against other countries and which do not guarantee freedom, democracy, and human rights to their citizens.

The JCP Program states that a socialist or communist society will secure "the human development of all members of society". A socialist or communist Japan will "inherit and further develop all valuable gains of the capitalist era, including the concepts of democracy and freedom", according to the Program. It also states that "[t]he freedom of various ideologies and beliefs as well as political activities, including those by opposition parties, will be rigorously protected".

Free and full development of all people will be guaranteed. Freedom, democracy, and human rights achieved during the time of capitalism will be passed on to a future society and will be further enriched. This is the society the JCP envisions in the future.

The JCP stands firm on implementing social changes peacefully by gaining public support through elections. Red-scare tactics such as claiming that the JCP maintains a policy of "violent revolution" or "single-party rule" are completely groundless.

A choice between "capitalism or socialism" will never be an issue at all when it comes to the formation of a coalition government. The new government will carry out reforms within the framework of capitalism.

'Cabinet cooperation' and 'non-Cabinet cooperation'

Any decisions as to whether the JCP will cooperate with a new Cabinet from the inside or from the outside will not be made in advance. The JCP has a flexible approach which includes the potential of both "Cabinet cooperation" and "non-Cabinet cooperation". According to the specific situation and circumstances and after discussions with joint-struggle partners, the JCP will chose the best course of action to take.

If the JCP engages in "Cabinet cooperation", ministers from the JCP will, as a matter of course, work together in a united stance of a coalition government regarding the issues of the SDF, the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and the Emperor system.

Past related articles:
> Shii: I'll work to mollify other opposition parties' concerns in regard to formation of coalition gov't [February 22, 2020]
> Shii speaks on revised-JCP Program and coalition gov't in magazine interview [February 12, 2020]
> CDPJ Azumi: We can hold good discussions with JCP on formation of coalition gov't [January 15, 2020]