October 2, 2026
Japanese Communist Party parliamentarians on September 30 held a roundtable discussion in Tokyo with six legal organizations to exchange views on the dangers of the Takaichi government’s aggressive policies, including its attempt to undermine the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.
Lawyer Minami Norio pointed out that the government policy of enhancing Japan’s “intelligence” capabilities would go beyond merely “preventing espionage” and actually promote “cultivating spies.” He emphasized the need for public vigilance to prevent the government from repeating the mistakes of the prewar imperial regime, such as its devotion to military conspiracies.
JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira noted that while many political parties are pandering to the Takaichi government, the JCP stands out for its clear opposition to the government’s misrule. He said, “Solidarity between concerned citizens and civil movements calling for true peace is crucial to blocking Japan’s remilitarization. Ahead of future elections, the JCP will make efforts to strengthen itself.”
Senator Nihi Sohei briefed the lawyers on the situation in the Diet, and House of Representatives member Hatano Kimie described the struggle against constitutional revisionists at the most recent meeting of the HR Commission on the Constitution.
Also participating in the roundtable from the JCP was JCP Policy Commission Chair and Senator Yamazoe Taku.
The six organizations constitute the center for social and cultural laws “Shakai Bunka Horitsu Center (Shabun),” the Japan Lawyers Association for Freedom (JLAF), the Attorneys and Academics Section of the Japan Young Lawyers Association, the Japan Lawyers’ International Solidarity Association (JALISA), the Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (JALANA), and the Japan Democratic Lawyers’ Association (JDLA).
Lawyer Minami Norio pointed out that the government policy of enhancing Japan’s “intelligence” capabilities would go beyond merely “preventing espionage” and actually promote “cultivating spies.” He emphasized the need for public vigilance to prevent the government from repeating the mistakes of the prewar imperial regime, such as its devotion to military conspiracies.
JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira noted that while many political parties are pandering to the Takaichi government, the JCP stands out for its clear opposition to the government’s misrule. He said, “Solidarity between concerned citizens and civil movements calling for true peace is crucial to blocking Japan’s remilitarization. Ahead of future elections, the JCP will make efforts to strengthen itself.”
Senator Nihi Sohei briefed the lawyers on the situation in the Diet, and House of Representatives member Hatano Kimie described the struggle against constitutional revisionists at the most recent meeting of the HR Commission on the Constitution.
Also participating in the roundtable from the JCP was JCP Policy Commission Chair and Senator Yamazoe Taku.
The six organizations constitute the center for social and cultural laws “Shakai Bunka Horitsu Center (Shabun),” the Japan Lawyers Association for Freedom (JLAF), the Attorneys and Academics Section of the Japan Young Lawyers Association, the Japan Lawyers’ International Solidarity Association (JALISA), the Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (JALANA), and the Japan Democratic Lawyers’ Association (JDLA).
