Japan Press Weekly

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2015 September 16 - 29 [JCP]

This week’s JCP international activities

Shii talks with CPV general secretary

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 17 met with Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Tokyo. The two leaders confirmed that both national parties will keep working together to build peace in East Asia and abolish nuclear weapons in the world.

At the beginning of the meeting, Shii welcomed Trong and the general secretary replied that he is pleased to hear that the JCP, which has a history of 93 years, is now experiencing “its third period of major advances”.

Shii stated that he exchanged views with Trong in 2013 regarding ASEAN’s efforts to create an international framework for peace, and that the JCP proposed an initiative for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia at its 26th Congress in January 2014. He went on to stress that territorial disputes should be resolved in a peaceful and diplomatic manner in accordance with international law.

Expressing approval for the JCP initiative, Trong said that he hopes for a peaceful settlement of the territorial issue over the islands in the South China Sea. He added that Vietnam always gives top priority to maintaining peace and stability, noting the fact that the country has still been suffering from the aftermath of the wars against Japan, France, and the United States in the 20th century.

Trong readily accepted Shii’s request for the CPV’s cooperation to prompt the global community to start negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention.

The two also confirmed that the JCP and the CPV will continue holding theoretical exchange meetings that have already been held five times.

JCP Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo and Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki were also in attendance.

Past related article:
> JCP & CPV confirm cooperation for peace in East Asia [September 25, 2015]

Akahata chief editor speaks at international forum in Beijing

A media forum on regional cooperation in East Asia took place on September 20 in Beijing with news reporters from Japan, China, and South Korea participating. Akahata Chief Editor Kogiso Yoji made a statement at the meeting.

The forum, hosted by the People’s Daily, the central organ of the Communist Party of China, was attended by reporters of 27 media organizations in the three countries. Along with Akahata, nine Japanese media companies took part: Kyodo News, Jiji Press, Asahi, Yomiuri, Mainichi, Nikkei, Hokkaido, Chunichi, and Nishinippon shimbuns.

In the discussion, an anchorperson of China Central Television (CCTV), chairing the meeting, said that China and South Korea have concerns about Japan’s war legislation which was forcibly enacted on September 19.

Following this remark, a Japanese reporter said that his newspaper argued against the national security legislation. Another reporter, whose paper supports the war legislation because it would enhance Japan’s deterrence, said that he had always been aware of the strong public opposition.

Akahata editor Kogiso noted that Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo held a press conference on the day the war bills became law and announced a proposal to establish a “National Coalition Government” to repeal the newly-enacted laws. He stressed that repealing the war legislation and restoring democracy and constitutionalism to Japan’s politics are vital to create a peaceful environment in Northeast Asia.

Kogiso also described the main points of the JCP initiative for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia. To achieve this, it is essential for the Japanese government to change its military-oriented stance as well as reflect on Japan’s past, he added.

Most participants emphasized the role of the media in discouraging nationalism and promoting mutual exchanges among peoples.