JCP challenge gives hope for Tokyo citizens -- Akahata editorial, March 13

In a show of great energy to bring about a democratic change in Tokyo heralding similar efforts throughout the country, more than 15,000 people braved the cold on the evening of March 12 in front of JR Shinjuku Station to listen to Wakabayashi Yoshiharu, Japanese Communist Party candidate for Tokyo governor. The election will be announced on March 27 and people will cast their votes on April 13.

JCP's direct challenge to Ishihara government

Two weeks before the official start of the election campaign, Wakabayashi is the only person to announce candidacy against the incumbent governor, Ishihara Shintaro. Governor Ishihara is known nationwide for his outspoken "hawkish" stance. In the election, the JCP named its Tokyo Metropolitan Committee chair as its candidate for governor.

The announcement of Wakabayashi's candidacy has been welcomed by many people as a courageous JCP decision.

JCP candidate Wakabayashi's direct confrontation with Ishihara's governorship, and his three election pledges to change the Tokyo metropolitan government to one of defending the Constitution, peace, living conditions, and welfare clearly show that the JCP is the only party and he the only candidate able to check Ishihara's undemocratic governance.

At issue today in Japan and throughout the world is how to respond to the U.S. plan to attack Iraq. Speaking in the Metropolitan Assembly and media interviews, Governor Ishihara has shown his approval of a U.S. war on Iraq, saying that he does not regard "ousting" the Iraq government as a mistaken strategy. It's shameful that a person who represents Japan's capital make a pro-war statement at a time when many capital city mayors in Europe are opposed to the war. Ishihara's statement goes against the opinion of the Japanese people, 80 to 90 percent of whom surveyed oppose the war.

JCP candidate Wakabayashi in his campaign promise states, "I oppose the U.S. war on Iraq, and I aim to work for at a peaceful 21st century." It is clear which of the two candidates can meet the citizens' wishes and which is worthy to be the head of the capital of Japan with a Constitution based on peace principles.

Look at what has happened to Tokyo's social services essential to residents' daily lives. The Ishihara administration has carried out cutbacks in many of the services in the past four years. It ended the free pass system for senior citizens for buses and municipal railways, began to gradually abolish subsidies for elderly people's medical expenses, and closed down or outsourced metropolitan government-run welfare facilities. Furthermore, the Ishihara administration plans to cut subsidies to child care centers. Ishihara's cold-hearted behavior toward women, senior citizens, handicapped people, and foreigners living in Japan has become notorious.

Candidate Wakabayashi states in his campaign promise that his policy will focus on welfare, people's living conditions, and promotion of smaller businesses. He promises to restore or review public services discarded by Ishihara. He promises to place highest priority on defending living conditions and jobs for people plagued with the ongoing economic recession. Every aspect of Wakabayashi's platform responds to the earnest wishes of the residents of Tokyo.

Let's dance in a ring of peace in Tokyo

In his speech at JR Shinjuku Station, JCP Chair Shii expressed determination to use the party's full strength to confront Ishihara and emphasized that Wakabayashi's promise and policies will meet the wishes of the people regardless of ideological and political differences. Wakabayashi also said, "Let's hold hands and dance in a ring of peace in Tokyo."

If we succeed in making Wakabayashi's commitments known to the citizens of Tokyo and foster cooperation with a wider range of people, we can get a new politics started in Tokyo. Let's join hands together with Wakabayashi to call for a dramatic change in the governance of Tokyo. (end)