Japan Press Weekly

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2016 June 15 - 21 [JCP]

JCP resolves to not miss this chance to change politics

With only one week to go before the official start of the Upper House election campaign to determine Japan’s future, the Japanese Communist Party on June 15 held an election rally at the JCP head office. JCP members and supporters all across Japan watched the rally live through intra-communications or on the JCP website.

The party has set two major objectives for the upcoming national election: the success of the joint effort of the four opposition parties and citizens’ groups to achieve victory; and gain a major JCP advance. JCP Chair Shii Kazuo expressed his determination to “seize this historic opportunity to bring about a change in politics and form a new government”.

Shii pointed to the bold decisions the party made regarding its proposal to establish “a national coalition government to repeal the war laws” and gain opposition parties’ electoral cooperation in single-seat constituencies. He called on all party members and supporters to appeal to voters that the JCP is a political party that opens up future possibilities together with the general public.

Shiga Kenji, a JCP member in his 60s, watched the rally at a local JCP office in Takatsuki City in Osaka. He said, “Local JCP members here have always had unsuccessful results despite our hard work. But this time, I feel that our efforts will succeed.” He said that he will convey Shii’s message to other JCP members in his neighborhood who missed hearing his speech.

Kitano Haruo, a JCP member in his 70s, was in a conference room of the JCP Ishikawa Prefectural Committee listening to the Shii speech. Kitano said, “Japanese politics used to keep the JCP marginalized, but things have completely changed now. From now on, I’ll stay on the phone every day to ask potential voters to support the JCP.”

Suzuki Michiko in her 20s said at the JCP head office, “I’ve again come to understand that now is a chance to bring about a change.”

Fukushige Kayoko, a JCP member in her 40s living in Tokyo, said, “I feel so excited about the present situation. I hope the upcoming election will be the opportunity to replace the Abe government.”