July 15th is the anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Communist Party. This year marks the 99th anniversary. We received messages from people all over the world. to introduce.
A long-established store that has endured historical winds and snows
Kobe Jogakuin University Professor Emeritus Tatsuki Uchida
The Japanese Communist Party is the ``long-established Asian party'' after the Communist Party of Indonesia and the Communist Party of China. However, the Indonesian Communist Party was overthrown by the military in 1965. If Karl Marx were alive today, he would not identify the rulers of China as "Marxists." In South Korea, praising Marxism is still illegal under the National Security Law, and the Communist Party of the Philippines is designated as an international terrorist organization. In other words, in Asia, the Communist Party, whether 'feared' or 'intimidated', is not an organization that 'ordinary citizens' can approach.
Among them, Japan is the only Communist Party in Asia that has seats in the National Assembly and local assemblies and is working to realize democracy in a legal way. A country in which the Communist Party has endured 100 years of historical storms and survived, and has never been punished by any authority, no matter what it says about Marxism, is an exception in the world. I think this is a historic achievement that Japan should be proud of to the international community. (contribution)
"Life is important" Common people's point of view
Essayist Kayoko Ebina
I really think it's a party on the side of the common people. Some politicians from other parties are difficult to get along with, but the Communist Party is different. Even when they are very busy, they are willing to talk to a single citizen who is in trouble and give them their advice empathetically. The line of sight is the same as that of ordinary people. That's where you can trust us.
The Communist Party has always insisted that "life is important". These are the most important words right now, aren't they? It's unbearable that the new corona is still unabated. It is no wonder that vaccination is delayed in Japan, which should have the power of science and technology. I hope that you will do your best for politics that protects the lives of the people.
I'm really worried about the war. Isn't it said that not only nuclear weapons but also robot weapons are being developed? War is madness. It makes people lose their reason. As a person who knows the horrors of war firsthand, I believe that we must continue to raise our voices saying, "War is unacceptable." I hope that the Communist Party, which has been anti-war since the difficult times before the war, will continue to play an active role.
Hanging power oversight
Lawyer Keiko Ota
There are many "preferred" politicians in the Communist Party.
I am not a member of the party, and I do not "endorse it because it is the Communist Party". In many cases, it was the Communist Party who said that what they said in the Diet, on the street, or posted on social media was "saying what they should say right now."
Always correct. After all, it is power criticism and power surveillance. Anyone can monitor power, but the media is weakening and the corruption of power is progressing. I am afraid that a cynical stance will spread. It is really dependable that there are friends who are not swayed by it and stand up boldly, who are directly monitoring and criticizing power.
It is a great achievement that 14 female members were born in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. With the enactment of the parity law, I believe that the party is working diligently to increase the number of female candidates, even though it is an obligation to make efforts. I want you to continue to go hard.
A "friend" with whom you can share your ambitions
Doshisha University Professor Yashiro Okano
The Communist Party and I are bound by the Constitution. Since 2012, when I began to fight against the Abe administration, I have come to feel that the members of the Japanese Communist Party, who respect individual dignity and stand uprightly against social injustice, are friends with whom I can share my activities and aspirations in order to move closer to a desirable society.
The activities of the Communist Party during this time period were not to mention the criticism of the citizens, but the fact that the government did not listen to the complaints and anxieties of the people. He showed us that it is a process of searching for how we can all share the weak voices that are often overlooked.
Chairman Shii's proposal for a coalition government with opposition parties, a new platform for gender equality, and a proposal for a shift from neo-liberalism to a care-friendly society. It is no exaggeration to say that the progress of the Communist Party, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, depends on the challenges and prospects of the 21st century.
A society with corrupted human hearts will not last long. Please continue to be a political party that brings smiles to the citizens while increasing the diversity within the party. (contribution)
We are serious about gender equality
Ms. Minori Kitahara, author and company manager
Twenty years ago, I subscribed to "Red Flag" and immediately quit. I was fed up with the complete lack of a gender perspective. Even if I sympathized with the idea, I felt that the figure of a man who was dull about gender was a "red flag."
To live as a woman in Japanese society is to be forced to give up. Even the least modesty of wanting to live the way you want makes you feel like a revolutionary warrior. Under such circumstances, I have been searching for a world without fear and anxiety.
For the past two years, I have seen the seriousness of the Communist Party, which has awakened to gender equality for the first time in its 90s and is seriously trying to tackle it. Reading "Akahata", I feel that the atmosphere of the paper is different from 20 years ago. That's probably because the Communist Party is seriously trying to face the pain of women in parliaments all over the country and on paper. Thank you for showing us a party that hears our voices. In the future, I hope that the Communist Party will be able to hear more women's voices in places where they have the power to speak out and make decisions. Congratulations on your 99th anniversary. (contribution)
The party that defends human rights at home and abroad
Takachiho University Professor Ikuo Gonoi
The Japanese Communist Party made great strides in this election. I believe that this is because we have earned the trust of many voters as a political party that does not compromise on the people's sake, without compromising its aggressive stance against the LDP government. In particular, I think that the consistent attitude of respect for human rights is beginning to attract the support of young people.
14 of the 19 elected members of the Japanese Communist Party were women, and gender equality was achieved. It had a big impact on me.
We have shown that it is a political party that has substance as well as rhetoric when it comes to women's empowerment. In today's Japan, women's human rights are still neglected. I think that the Japanese Communist Party is a political party that shows that it stands close to the weak, including women.
The stance of protecting human rights is consistent even in international issues. It was the Japanese Communist Party that properly criticized and denounced the Chinese Communist Party at the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. The response to international human rights issues such as the Hong Kong issue and the Uyghur issue is consistent with the response to domestic human rights issues. This has led to trust in the Japanese Communist Party as a people's political party.
Understood Shogi culture for many years
Mr. Yasumitsu Sato, Chairman of the Japan Shogi Federation and Shogi Player (9th Dan)
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Communist Party.
``Shinbun Akahata'' sponsored the ``Rookie of the Year'' shogi tournament for young players in the shogi world. Thank you for your understanding of Shogi culture over the years.
I myself was able to advance to the final once, and unfortunately lost at that time, but it still remains in my memory as a memory of my youth.
Currently, the new coronavirus infection is not going away, and it is difficult to see how Japan and the world will progress, but I hope that you will aim for a better Japanese society and open up a bright future. increase.
We wish you continued prosperity.
The ruling party that the common people do not see
Rakugo storyteller Tatekawa Danshirou
First of all, congratulations on the party's 99th anniversary. As one would expect, Japan's oldest political party is in full swing. While paying homage to his unwavering attitude over the years, I always resonate with him.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election was a splendid fight. It was only the Communist Party that clearly put up the cancellation of the Olympics. It was heartbreaking. Others, at best, have no spectators, and there are political parties that do not touch the Olympics at all. "Are you in favor of holding the Olympics?" Dhammari is in favor. I asked, "Is that okay for the corona crisis?" That's what happens when you can't look at the world calmly.
There will be a general election in the fall. I am sure that he has shown a splendid joint struggle with the Constitutional Democratic Party in the metropolitan assembly election, and has achieved great results, which has given him a great deal of confidence. Please strengthen it further and give the ruling party an iron grip that does not look at the common people at all. I have great expectations for what they will show us as we approach the 100th anniversary of our founding.
Stop Prime Minister Suga's runaway
Kei Nakazawa, author and professor at Hosei University
Congratulations on the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Communist Party.
I would like the Japanese Communist Party, which was founded 99 years ago, to stop the recklessness of the 99th Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
It will be a very important year for the party, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in a year. It is the oldest and most continuous political party. I think many things have happened in the long history. I think that history and experience are amazing.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election was reportedly ``an election without a winner'', but the Japanese Communist Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party increased their seats in the low voter turnout. I believe that we can win against the Liberal Democratic Party through the joint struggle of the opposition parties.
With the Socialist Party gone, the role of the Japanese Communist Party is more demanded than before. I believe that the Japanese Communist Party is trying to improve the social system not only for men, but also for "workers" including women, sole proprietors, foreigners and minorities. I have high hopes here.
Cancellation of the Olympics Voice of the weak
Non-fiction writer, former Hakuhodo employee Ryu Homma
I have continued to advocate the cancellation of the Olympics. I highly appreciate the fact that Chairman Kazuo Shii asked Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in a representative question in January this year, saying, "The Tokyo Olympics should be canceled this summer." This is because it was the first political party to point out in the Diet the dangers of holding the Olympics under the coronavirus crisis and the deceptive nature of not having a fair competition. I think that the claim of "Life over the Olympics" symbolizes the appearance of the Japanese Communist Party, which speaks out for the weak.
The Liberal-Komeito government, which runs through the Olympics with party interests, without regard for the safety of the people, should end. I would like to expect a coalition government in which the Japanese Communist Party also participates. However, there are many people among the people who think that the Communist Party is scary because of the image attached to it before the war. The Japanese Communist Party does not stand in the position of a one-party dictatorship, but aims for a coalition government and does not bring inconsistent issues to the administration. is important for the public to understand. (Photo provided by him)
Time to join forces to answer
Professor of Hosei University Jiro Yamaguchi
It is becoming clear that the greatest threat to humans lies in some kind of capitalism. Capitalism is the greatest threat to humans in the sense that it thoroughly commoditizes labor and turns humans into mere tools for the pursuit of profit. I believe that the foresight of the arguments of the Japanese Communist Party, which has most consistently criticized the contradictions of the capitalist economy, is attracting attention again today.
On the other hand, it can be said that we are now in an age where broad consensus is to be created in order to curb the threat of the capitalist economy and create an economy that makes people happy. Partly due to the impact of the corona crisis, we are at a major turning point in several centuries.
We are now in an age where we are working together with the Communist Party to come up with answers to the big challenges of creating a society and economy that values people.
The results of the metropolitan assembly election made me keenly aware of the great results of cooperation with the opposition parties. Ahead of the general election, it is extremely important that the opposition parties, led by the Japanese Communist Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, present alternatives to the LDP and Komeito governments.