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

JCP Ichida criticizes LDP Abe's view on the Constitution

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi at a press conference on August 21 severely criticized Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe Shinzo's view on the Constitution.

Ichida was referring to Abe's recent book "Toward a Beautiful Country," which characterizes the preamble to the Constitution as a "written apology by the defeated nation to the Allies."

He said, "How dangerous it is for Mr. Abe to criticize the Constitution's preamble, the fundamental spirit by which post-war Japan started, as a 'written apology'!"

In the book Abe cites the preamble stating, "We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression, and intolerance for all time from the earth," and says, "It is written in a self-deprecating and pitiable manner."

Complaining about Article 9 prohibiting Japan from fighting wars with other countries, Abe says, "If a terrorists' ship loaded with weapons of mass destruction enters Tokyo Bay, we are not even allowed to use force to repel them unless they attack us."

Ichida said, "Tokyo Bay is Japan's territorial waters, and it is obvious that the Coast Guard will confront a spy ship if it enters there. It is very dangerous to insist on the need to recognize the right of collective defense based on such a nonsense argument."
- Akahata, August 22, 2006