April 18, 2024

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on April 17 at a lecture meeting held in the House of Representatives members’ office building shared a diplomatic proposal titled, “Proposal for Peacebuilding in East Asia -- In collaboration with ASEAN.”

Those who participated in the lecture meeting included foreign ambassadors and diplomats from over 20 countries. The meeting received messages from House of Representatives Vice-Speaker Kaieda Banri and Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny.

Shii began his lecture with a question about “how to create an East Asia without fear of war,” and said, “Military-centric responses will bring about a vicious cycle of distrust and fear and will lead to the danger of war breaking out that no one wants. It is necessary to fully explore the possibility of talks and stand firm on peacebuilding through diplomacy.” He explained the JCP diplomatic proposal.

Develop framework of regional cooperation for peace across East Asia in collaboration with ASEAN

Shii mentioned that when he visited ASEAN nations as the head of the JCP delegation at the end of last year, he learned the “secrets of the success” in ASEAN’s half century-long policies which drastically changed the region’s atmosphere from “divisions and hostilities” to “peace and cooperation”. He said that ASEAN’s success was made through establishing a “habit of engaging in dialogue”, maintaining “ASEAN’s centricity”, working on peacebuilding in unison with economic and social and cultural cooperation, and expanding the trend of regional cooperation for peace to outside the ASEAN region. In addition, he stressed that ASEAN has played a pioneering role in the movement calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

As ASEAN’s latest achievements, Shii cited the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He said that in light of the ASEAN’s new development shown in the setting forth of the AOIP, the JCP in January 2022 proposed its “diplomatic vision” aimed at building true peace in East Asia and has worked hard both inside and outside Japan to realize it.

Regarding the characteristics of the JCP “diplomatic vision”, Shii explained that it aims to make a peaceful counterproposal on Japan’s policy regarding foreign affairs and national security. He said that the JCP vision was formulated not only as a suggestion for Japan’s future course but also as a call on the international community by a Japanese political party with the goal of realizing the AOIP. He went on to say that the JCP proposed its diplomatic vision based on pacifism and the spirit of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

Shii cited that in response to his Diet questioning, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, “I strongly support the AOIP.” Shii said that the JCP “positively evaluates” the Japanese government stance to promote cooperation with ASEAN in four fields, such as economic cooperation, and added, “If PM Kishida expressed his strong support for the AIOP, as the government of the nation having the pacifist Article 9 of the Constitution, he should put into practice the ideal of the AOIP, which regards the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) stipulating peaceful settlement of disputes as a guiding principle for peace and promotes the TAC throughout East Asia. I strongly urge the Kishida government to develop cooperation with ASEAN for peace building in tandem with the current cooperation in the four fields.”

Diplomatically settle issues in Northeast Asia and seek to build a peaceful community in East Asia

Shii pointed out that relative to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia is faced with difficult challenges. Stressing, “The essence of diplomacy is to find common grounds and solve problems together,” Shii talked about JCP’s proposals regarding some important issues.

Shii suggested specific measures based on the JCP proposal, “For positive breakthroughs in Japan-China relations,” released in March 2023: if both sides intend to respect their agreement to “not become a threat to each other,” they should restrain themselves from actions that could exacerbate the tension and lead to confrontation; the two sides should create rules so that they can restrain themselves from actions that could escalate the conflict regarding the issue of the Senkaku Islands and could affect peace and stability in the region; and both sides should work to establish a framework of peace in East Asia that is inclusive rather than exclusive.

On the Taiwan issue, Shii stated, “I strongly call for a peaceful resolution,” expressing opposition to China’s use of force and military threat against Taiwan. He also expressed opposition to military involvement and intervention by Japan and the United States.

Regarding the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Shii proposed that countries concerned make every possible effort to open channels for dialogue to stop the escalation of tensions; the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peacebuilding in Northeast Asia be pursued in an integrated and comprehensive manner, and that discussions be held so that agreed-upon measures can be implemented one by one in stages in order to achieve the goals; various concerns, including North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile development, abduction of Japanese nationals, and the settlement of historical issues, be comprehensively resolved based on the Tokyo-Pyongyang Declaration; and the six countries concerned make efforts to create a framework of a reasoned solution.

Over the historical issue, as “the basic stance that Japan should take on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII,” Shii offered four proposals, such as that the core contents of the “three important documents” in the 1990s (the Murayama Statement, the Kono Statement, and the Japan-ROK Joint Declaration) be taken into careful consideration and that appropriate actions be taken.

He then expressed the JCP position that the party will pursue its goal, the “Initiative for Peace and Cooperation in Northeast Asia.”

Crises in Gaza and Ukraine -- Settlements based on UN Charter and international law

Shii stressed, “Hamas’ indiscriminate attacks and hostage-taking are unacceptable. Israel’s genocidal acts against Palestinian civilians in Gaza by using the Hamas act as a pretext is also unacceptable.” Regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he stated, “The overwhelming majority of the international community should unite on the single point, ‘Abide by the UN Charter!’ in order to end the war.” He noted the importance of reactivating the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Shii concluded his lecture by calling for an increase in citizens’ movements nationwide to help build true peace in East Asia. He said, “In doing so, I’d like to particularly emphasize the importance of seeking gender equality and peace in an integrated manner.”

Past related articles:
> Shii in Jakarta meets with ASEAN deputy secretary-general [December 23, 2023]
> Shii calls on Kishida to make efforts to improve bilateral relations with China in a positive manner [March 31, 2023]