Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 March 6 - 12 [JCP]

This week’s JCP international activities

Ogata talks with Thai cabinet member

Japanese Communist Party Vice-Chair Ogata Yasuo on March 4 met with Nalinee Taveesin in Bangkok, who serves as chair of the Trade Representative of the Thai government led by Yingluck Shinawatra.

Taveesin talked about the relationship among ASEAN members and the Thai administration’s perspective on developing cooperation with other countries such as India and nations in the Middle East and Africa. She also stressed the significance of a peace agreement reached a few days ago between the administration and Islamic groups in the country.

Referring to various problems Japan has with its neighboring countries, Ogata explained the JCP’s view to resolve those issues.


Shii offers condolences on death of Venezuelan President Chavez

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo on March 7 visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Tokyo, offering his condolences on the passing away of President Hugo Chavez.

Shii said to Venezuelan Charge d’ Affairs Bertha Capella, “Please convey my deepest condolences to the president’s family and Venezuelan people. I have paid close attention over the years to Chavez’s political stance to push ahead with reforms through democratic elections.”

Capella expressed her gratitude for the chair’s message of sympathy.


Ogata visits Cambodia

JCP Vice-Chair Ogata visited Cambodia on March 6-8, having talks with key officials of the Cambodian government.

Ogata on March 6 met with Deputy Prime Minister Sok An at his home in Phnom Penh. As a member of the standing committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), Sok has attended meetings dealing with the issue of peace in Asia, as well as worked together with the JCP.

In the talks, Ogata noted that the ASEAN nations have accumulated experiences to solve any disputes in a diplomatic manner. He said that problems in Northeast Asia should also be resolved in a similar manner.

On the same day, Ogata held talks with Norodom Sirivudh, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. Sirivudh is the younger brother of the late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk.

Ogata also talked with Keo Puth Reasmey, president of the ruling coalition party of FUNCINPEC on March 8. The two confirmed the importance of settling conflicts in Asia through peaceful negotiations.