Japan Press Weekly

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2014 December 3 - 9 [JCP]

The name JCP has historical significance: Shii to the foreign press

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on December 8 responded to questions raised by foreign journalists about election alliances and communism at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.

Asked about the reason why the JCP does not cooperate with other opposition parties in elections, Shii stated that conditions for alliance in elections are not met in places other than in Okinawa where the JCP can work together with conservative forces.

Regarding the notion that communism would destroy the economy, Shii said that the JCP looks to initially carry out democratic reforms within the framework of capitalism and only after obtaining the consent of the majority of the general public, would the party strive to move on to the next step toward socialism. He stressed that the JCP opposes any regime repressing people and invading other countries like the former Soviet Union which had nothing to do with socialism.

He went on to say, “We believe capitalism is not the ultimate economic system in human history. We are going to move towards a society in which freedom and democracy will be allowed to grow and flourish.

To the question why the JCP does not change its name, Shii responded, “Our name has a proud history of 92 years and contains the aspirations of the creation of a truly democratic future society. We won’t change it.”