October 18, 2025

The 40th memorial service for Japanese Communist Party “permanent activists” who died over the past year took place on October 17 at Kamikawa Cemetery in Hachioji City, Tokyo. An additional 211 comrades were buried together in the JCP tomb, bringing the total to 5,691.

JCP Vice Chair Kurabayashi Akiko, after a moment of silence, delivered a memorial address on behalf of the JCP Central Committee, stating, “As members of the JCP, they were committed to alleviating the suffering of the general public and raising hopes for a bright future.”

Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, a Kochi prefectural assemblymember of the JCP whose father was a former Yasu Town assemblyperson, stated, “From childhood, I always saw my father working dedicatedly for the townspeople. I will continue to strive hard for the betterment of Kochi, firmly carrying on my father’s spirit.”

The wife of a “permanent activist” of the JCP Yamanashi Prefectural Committee recalled that her husband had founded a workers’ union with his coworkers and served as its secretary general, and that he had then worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to support JCP activities and elections. She said, “I have no regrets about the 60 years I walked alongside him.”