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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Shii talks with Iranian ambassador

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on December 20 had a meeting over dinner with Iranian Ambassador to Japan Mohsen Talaei at the ambassador's official residence in Tokyo.

They spoke about wide-ranging issues, including Japan's experience of contact with Persia in the Asuka Period (6th-8th century), Islamic history and culture, modern civilization, and peace.

Expressing his hope for a better understanding of Iran and Islam as well as for further development of Japan-Iran friendships, Talaei talked about the Islamic world with its population of 1.4 billion, the present Iranian society, and its relations with the international community.

Shii explained the JCP's opposition-party diplomacy to promote dialogues with world's governments, and stated that it is an important challenge for the world in the 21st century that Islamic countries and the rest of the world, including Japan, increase attempts to achieve mutual understanding.

Shii said that he was glad that exchanges have been developing between the JCP, the Iranian Embassy, and the Iranian government. He also frankly expressed his concerns about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and told the ambassador the JCP's basic position calling for a realization of the Palestinian right to self-determination that includes the right to establish its own state, withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the occupied Palestinian territories, and both Palestine and Israel to accept each other's right to existence, not taking a stand for wiping off the other party from map.

Explaining the Iranian position, Talaei said that he understood Shii's concerns and expressed his gratitude for Shii's candor.
- Akahata, December 21, 2005