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JCP holds Executive Committee meeting

The Japanese Communist Party on March 10 held its first Executive Committee meeting since its 24th Congress in January.

In the Standing Executive Committee report, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo dealt with (i) the political situation since the 24th Congress and the role of the JCP, (ii) activities in preparation for the two nationwide elections in 2007, and (iii) party building.

In analyzing the present political situation Shii stressed that the vitality of the JCP Congress resolution became clear soon after the Congress and that the task now is for the JCP to display its abilities.

He made the following five points:

(i) The harmful effects of of the Koizumi government's neo-liberal structural reform policy are now apparent, and no party other than the JCP is willing to criticize the maladministration and to propose alternatives;

(ii) In the protection of the livelihoods of the public, the immediate task is to increase popular opposition to a massive tax hike and to the adverse medical reform;

(iii) The struggle is developing throughout the country involving local governments against the strengthening of U.S. military base functions in Japan, and the contradictions are sharpening;

(iv) In the movement to defend the Constitution, making the tireless efforts at the grassroots level is essential;

(v) As the true colors of Koizumi's structural reform policy are laid bare, and the opposition Democratic Party has been dealt a major blow by the faked e-mail fiasco, the role of the JCP as the only "reliable opposition party" stands out.

On the JCP's electoral activities Shii emphasized the importance of making all-out efforts in order to win the immediate local elections by learning lessons from the recent JCP advances in Hakodate City in Hokkaido and in Hino City and Machida City in Tokyo. He also stressed the need to choose candidates for the 2007 simultaneous local elections as quickly as possible.

Regarding party building, Shii took up the question of how to develop branches as the key players in party activities while making progress every month in expanding party ranks and increasing Akahata readership. "The JCP has repeatedly tackled this task for twenty years, and the drastic resolution to the question is now well indicated in the 24th Congress Resolution," he pointed out. He called for strenuous efforts to develop party activities involving all party members and all party branches.

At the meeting 14 members spoke, sharing their experiences and opinions. The Executive Committee decided to produce in March an increase in party building efforts.
- Akahata March 11, 2006