June 10, 2026

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo spoke about the JCP’s theoretical activities as well as its theoretical exchanges in other countries at an international symposium held on May 8 by the School of Marxism of Xiamen University in China.

Ogata said that the JCP places importance on theoretical activities and works to develop the theory of future society centering on “freely disposable time”. He added that Marx regarded “freely disposable time” as a vitally important factor for the free and well-rounded intellectual and spiritual development of the individual.

Concerning the party’s theoretical exchange activities, Ogata referred to JCP Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo’s visit to the United States and Canada last month aimed at participating in the NPT Review Conference held in New York City and having interactions with left-wing forces in the two countries.

Ogata, as an example, cited that Shii had conversations on Marx and Marxism with Illinois State University Professor Andrew Hartman in Chicago.

Ogata said that in the talk with Professor Hartman, Shii mentioned the professor’s book “Karl Marx in America” which states that Marx has remained relevant in the United States for more than 150 years, and identifies the current period as the fourth Marx boom in the United States.

Ogata also said that in Canada, Shii attended a discussion forum held at York University in Toronto hosted by York University Professor Marcello Musto, and delivered a lecture under the title, “Freely Disposable Time and the Theory of the Future Society”.

Past related articles:
> Shii talks about Marx at York University [May 6, 2026]
> JCP CC Chair Shii holds talks with US left-wing progressive organization in NYC [May 1-May 5, 2026]