September 1, 2025
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on August 31 attended a memorial gathering in Tokyo for the victims of the massacre of resident Koreans and Chinese that occurred immediately after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
Koike stated that the Japanese government should investigate the full extent of the 1923 massacre.
Currently in Japan, extreme right-wing and xenophobic movements are becoming prominent, denying the historical fact of the massacre, claiming that Japan’s past war was not a war of aggression, and disparaging specific foreign residents and immigrants.
Koike expressed the party’s resolve, saying, “We will join hands with many citizens, refuse to tolerate discrimination against foreigners, and work hard to ensure friendly coexistence with all nationalities. Squarely facing Japan’s past history, our party will continue making efforts to prevent Japan from turning into a dangerous war-capable nation.”
Bereaved families and representatives from South Korea and China were present at the gathering. They shared their sorrows and called on the Japanese government to clarify all facts pertaining to the massacre.
In the aftermath of the Great Kanto Earthquake which took place on September 1, 1923, groundless rumors such as “Koreans put poison into wells” spread like wildfire. This led to a mass killing of Koreans, Chinese, and socialists by the Japanese military, police, and local vigilante groups.
Koike stated that the Japanese government should investigate the full extent of the 1923 massacre.
Currently in Japan, extreme right-wing and xenophobic movements are becoming prominent, denying the historical fact of the massacre, claiming that Japan’s past war was not a war of aggression, and disparaging specific foreign residents and immigrants.
Koike expressed the party’s resolve, saying, “We will join hands with many citizens, refuse to tolerate discrimination against foreigners, and work hard to ensure friendly coexistence with all nationalities. Squarely facing Japan’s past history, our party will continue making efforts to prevent Japan from turning into a dangerous war-capable nation.”
Bereaved families and representatives from South Korea and China were present at the gathering. They shared their sorrows and called on the Japanese government to clarify all facts pertaining to the massacre.
In the aftermath of the Great Kanto Earthquake which took place on September 1, 1923, groundless rumors such as “Koreans put poison into wells” spread like wildfire. This led to a mass killing of Koreans, Chinese, and socialists by the Japanese military, police, and local vigilante groups.
