Japan Press Weekly

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2011 November 16 - 22 [YOUTH]

DYLJ national congress seeks to build stronger organization in Japanese society after 3.11

The Democratic Youth League of Japan (DYLJ) in its 35th National Congress held on November 18-20 in Tokyo adopted a resolution determining to create a new Japanese society through working for sustainable reconstruction from the 3.11 disaster.

From throughout the country, 170 delegates and observers took part in the Congress and exchanged their experiences and activities, including those involving organizational buildup.

Presenting the draft resolution, DYLJ Chair Tanaka Yu said that the disaster and the resultant nuclear crisis have severely affected people’s lives, and that under such circumstances, young people are wishing to contribute to the post-disaster reconstruction and to change the direction of the present nuclear power-dependent society. He also pointed out that many young people are casting doubts on a society controlled by the wealthy 1% and are trying to find others with whom they can learn and act together.

The DYLJ chair said, “Japanese society is at a historical turning point. Now is our time to act. Together with the Japanese Communist Party making efforts to put an end to the present state of politics which favors meeting the demands of large corporations and financial institutions in Japan and the United States, we will work to realize young people’s demands and to enlarge the possibility of changing the very nature of politics.”

Referring to the fact that 1,700 youth have joined the DYLJ since the last Congress in 2009, Tanaka said that the DYLY is attracting young people’s attention and called on members to increase efforts to build a stronger DYLJ and gain more readers of the DYLJ organ paper.

On behalf of the JCP, Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi delivered a speech in solidarity.

Ichida reported that disaster victims highly appreciated the DYLJ which established a base for volunteer work in the disaster-hit region and provided significant help to the victims. He said, “The DYLJ’s efforts encouraged the people affected by the disaster and gave them hope. You can be proud of the fact that you are DYLJ members.”

Pointing out that both the Democratic and the Liberal Democratic parties are reaching a serious impasse and a crisis of legitimacy, Ichida said, “Every DYLJ member should play a role in a new Japanese society. Let’s continue to work together to build a true democracy.”

During the Congress, Tanaka was reelected as chair, and the DYLJ constitution was revised for the first time in 14 years.