Progressive Unity Forum (Kakushinkon) celebrates 20th anniversary

The National Forum for Peace, Democracy, and Progressive Unity (Kakushinkon) held its 21st General Assembly on May 26 in Tokyo. About 230 participants representing many localities, various circles and social strata, and national organizations discussed and confirmed what the Forum in its 20-year movement has achieved.

The Forum was formed in 1981, aiming for a progressive change in Japan's politics and the formation of a majority among the public based on the three objectives of peace, democracy, and the improvement of the people's living conditions.

The total number of people participating in the Kakushinkon movement through various organizations is 4.5 million. Kakushinkon has its presence in 542 localities, and 150 workplaces in all 47 prefectures, unifying various grassroots movements for political change.

Noting that behind the high approval rate of the Koizumi Cabinet is the Liberal Democratic Party being unable to get out of the impasse, Kakushinkon's action plan adopted by the assembly called for many more local and workplace Kakushinkon to be established throughout the country to work for political change.

The general assembly also decided to change the Forum's name to the "National Forum for Peace, Democratic, and Progressive Change," and the wording of the three objectives to more straightforward ones: Change Japan's economy to one of benefiting the people and helping improve the people's living standards; get the Constitution's idea put into practice in the people's everyday life so that freedom, human rights, and democracy are expanded; and abolish the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and establish a nuclear-free, non-aligned, neutral, and peaceful Japan.

Representing the Japanese Communist Party, Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo and Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi attended. (end)