JCP calls for independent candidate for Okinawa gubernatorial election

The Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Committee and the JCP supporters' association on August 19 held a rally in Urasoe City in Okinawa Prefecture calling for victories in Okinawa's local elections in September and gubernatorial election in November.

In Okinawa , five opposition parties, including the JCP, in July agreed on a platform for the gubernatorial election, and held discussions to select their joint candidate. But they have failed to reach agreement on a candidate.

While the JCP insists on a progressive independent candidate in conformity with the 5 parties' agreement, the four other parties persist with the candidacy of Teruya Kantoku, a former Social Democratic Party member of the House of Councilors.

At the rally, JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi stated that a progressive joint struggle setup for the gubernatorial election must reflect residents' hopes for a peaceful and prosperous Okinawa without bases to encourage candidates in other parts of Japan. To the 300 participants, Ichida spoke about his determination to do his utmost to support a progressive independent candidate with whom various local people and parties can unite. (end)