JCP takes to streets on 57th anniversary

August 15 marked the 57th anniversary of Japan's defeat in WW II. The Japanese Communist Party took to the streets throughout the country to call for a struggle to prevent illegitimate wars in Asia and elsewhere in the world.

At a speech assembly in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Hatano Kimie, JCP member of the House of Counsilors, expressed her determination to pass on memories of the war to next generations. She reported that she found in the Diet discussion that the Agency for Cultural Affairs plans to officially designate remains of the war located in 50 different places throughout the country.

House of Councilors member Ogata Yasuo stated that the JCP has always opposed the war of aggression throughout its 80-year history. Referring to the public opinion that helped prevent the wartime legislation from being railroaded through, Ogata called for a further struggle to change the attitude of the Japanese government which is worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine without expressing any remorse for the war of aggression.

Anti-war demonstrations and rallies took place throughout the country. In Osaka, about 130 mothers gave out a "red slip" (the call-up notice) to passers-by in their annual demonstration in protest against war. During the war, red slips were used to mobilize children and grandchildren to war.

In Tokyo, about 230 journalists, researchers, and local people attended an annual meeting of the Japan Congress for Journalists which maintains that journalists should not hold a pen to assist war.

On the same day, five ministers of the Koizumi Cabinet, including Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiranuma Takeo and Defense Agency Director General Nakatani Gen, visited Yasukuni Shrine. Also, about 50 Dietmembers of the Liberal Democratic, Democratic, Liberal, and Conservative parties went to the shrine together. (end)