Japan Press Weekly

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2008 April 30 - May 13 [JCP]

JCP chair welcomes Japan-China Joint Statement

Commenting on the Japan-China Joint Statement signed on May 7 by Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo and Chinese President Hu Jintao, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said he “welcomes it viewed in a long-term perspective.”

Shii made the remark on May 8 in response to reporters’ questions.

He said that relations between the two countries soured for a number of years due to the controversy over the Japanese prime minister’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which made it impossible for the Japanese prime minister and the Chinese president to visit each other.

“The Japanese government is to blame for that,” he added.

Shii also said, “In this context, however, the Joint Statement formulation of ‘strategic and mutually beneficial relationship’ should be welcomed.”
- Akahata, May 9, 2008