Shii reports on his visit to South Korea and Pakistan

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

Shii reports on his visit to South Korea and Pakistan

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 25 reported in detail on his recent visits to South Korea and Pakistan at a conference hall of the JCP Head Office in Tokyo.

Shii's speech was broadcast live throughout Japan via the communication satellite system.

Shii led a JCP delegation visiting South Korea to attend and contribute to the success of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Seoul and to have meetings with politicians and other public figures representing various fields in South Korea.

Shii said, "We have paved the way for broader exchanges between the JCP and the ROK" through the JCP delegation's activities in South Korea. Referring to his experiences in Seoul, he said he acutely felt the importance of resolving the historical questions regarding remorse over Japan's war of aggression and colonial rule as the basis for Japan and South Korea to establish genuine friendship.

Concerning the issue of North Korea, Shii said that the JCP's consistent and firm criticism of North Korea's international lawless acts and its call for the questions to be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic efforts were shared by many South Korean people.

Shii said that these fruitful achievements can be seen against the background of deep changes that have taken place in South Korean society.

Shii spoke about the role the JCP played in the ICAPP and about the change in South Korea's perception of the JCP.

Concerning his visit to Pakistan (September 16-21), Shii stated that it was at the official invitation of the Pakistani government and that he was received as a state guest.

APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) reported on the talks between Shii and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz with the headline, "Pakistan, Japan to open new vistas of cooperation; P.M." Shii said that Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Muhammad Mian Soomro stated, "Your visit has given a new dimension to the relations between Pakistan and Japan." On the whole, he said, the Pakistani side appreciated the latest JCP tour of Pakistan that has "enriched the relations between Pakistan and Japan," as referred to by Prime Minister Aziz.

Shii reported that in his political talks with Aziz they exchanged views and agreed on three themes: a world order for peace, ways to eradicate terrorism, and elimination of nuclear weapons.

Then the JCP chair raised the following three important points as the common threads running through his visits to South Korea and Pakistan.

First, the vitality of the history of the JCP and its Party Program. What constituted the basis for mutual understanding in these visits are, in South Korea, the history of the JCP in opposition to Japan's war of aggression and its colonial rule of Korea; in Pakistan, it was the JCP's sovereign independence that refuses to succumb to the hegemony of any big powers.

Second, the key to establishing true diplomatic relations is mutual understanding. Criticizing the Japanese government for its diplomacy that completely fails in this regard, Shii stated, "The existence in Japan of a political party that consistently tries to understand the viewpoints of other countries apparently was new to everyone I talked with."

Third, the world is changing. Although Pakistan and South Korea, located in the west and east of Asia, are seen as "pro-U.S. countries," the JCP delegation found common grounds and established friendly relations with them.

Shii stated that his explanation of the JCP's grassroots activities was regarded as stunning information by South Koreans and Pakistanis.

Shii called on the audience to increase the efforts to make the JCP stronger, and concluded his report by expressing his thanks to all those who cooperated in helping to bring about the JCP delegation's tour of South Korea and Pakistan.
-Akahata, September 26, 2006