JCP statement on Constitution Day

On May 3, the 54th anniversary of the Constitution, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi published the following statement:

Japan celebrates its first Constitution Day in the 21st century. Japan's Constitution was established 56 years ago by accepting severe criticism at home and abroad of Japanese militarism's barbarous war of aggression and colonization in Asia, and its despotic political regime. The new Constitution has epochal content and significance in Japan's modern history and the world. It has five major principles: (1) people's sovereignty and national sovereignty, (2) lasting peace, (3) respect for fundamental human rights, (4) parliamentary democracy, and (5) local self-government. Supported by the fervent half-century of effort by the Japanese people in quest of peace and democracy, these five principles have played the role of a compass showing clearly the course for the nation to take. Today, the Constitution's value increases its radiance more than ever, as it has stood the test of history.

The present danger is that, after many years of Liberal Democratic Party politics flagrantly trampling down the constitutional principles of peace and democracy, the LDP-led forces which want the Constitution rewritten are trying to launch a full-fledged movement calling for the adverse revision of the Constitution.

It is particularly dangerous that Koizumi Jun'ichiro, who has been publicly calling for an early revision to the Constitution as well as a study on the possibility of allowing Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense, is in power.

The Constitution's Article 9 declares the renunciation of war, pledges to not maintain military forces, and prohibits "the threat or use of force." Everyone knows that the Japanese government has repeatedly stated that the "exercise of the right to collective self-defense" is outlawed. Overriding this position, the prime minister is now calling for a "study" on the possibility of a change to allow Japan to exercise such a right, the aim being to pave the way for Japan to take part in U.S. wars under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, without restrictions. Running counter to the current of peace growing in Asia and the rest of the world, the Koizumi Cabinet is now embarking on the path which Japan once pledged to never follow again. The Japanese people must keep an eye on, and criticize, the Koizumi cabinet for such attempts.

The JCP fervently calls on the people to unite to thwart any attempts to get the Constitution, which is irreplaceable, adversely revised.

The JCP is proposing "remaking Japan" to change LDP politics, which is at a dead end, in order to build a new Japan in the 21st century. The objectives of this proposal coincide with the course of the constitutional principles of peace and democracy being implemented and exalted in all aspects. The JCP is determined to do its utmost to achieve it. (end)