January 10, 2026

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko and JCP Policy Commission Chair Yamazoe Taku (a standing secretary of the Japan-ROK Parliamentarians’ Union) attended a New Year reception held by the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) in Tokyo on January 9 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding.

At the reception, representatives of the Japan-ROK, ROK-Japan parliamentarians’ unions, and Japanese political parties were present.

Following Mindan Central Headquarters President Kim Yi-joong speaking on behalf of the organization, South Korean Ambassador to Japan Lee Hyuk offered his felicitations. The ambassador in his speech said that he will make the utmost effort so that the peoples of Japan and South Korea will be able to share the recognition that “we are living in the age where both South Korea and Japan need to promote closer cooperation and exchanges than ever before.”

JCP EC Chair Tamura in her a congratulatory speech said, “We have to develop the cornerstone of friendship and goodwill into a historical perception shared by Japan and South Korea.” She pointed out that Mindan in its history engaged in the anti-fingerprinting movement and worked on the wartime Japanese military comfort women issue. She said, “It is necessary to continue to convey remorse over and historical understanding of Japan’s past colonial rule and war of aggression to the general public in Japan.”

Furthermore, she said, “Efforts to develop the underlying friendship between the two countries are essential to overcome the xenophobic trend in Japan. As a political party, we will advance such efforts.” She expressed her hope to have the Diet discuss thoroughly the issue of realizing local suffrage for foreign residents in Japan.

Tamura exchanged greetings with the South Korean ambassador, Mindan executives, and South Korean parliamentarians.