People's Democracy

JCP Leader Visits CPI(M) Office

ON October 8, Ogata Yasuo, vice chairperson of the executive committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) and co-chairperson of the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, visited the Central Committee office of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at New Delhi. During the discussions held with the leadership of the party, opinions were exchanged about the political and economic situation in both Japan and India.

Ogata Yasuo stated that the current government in Japan is increasingly allying with the US and moving towards militarisation of the country. He said that the Japanese economy is not yet out of the economic crisis and stated that the policies pursued by the government are benefiting only the big corporate houses in the country. He also stated that the people of Japan are getting disillusioned with the two major parties in the country, and that this is reflected in the increased vote share and seats for the JCP in the recently concluded elections. This is also due to the consistent struggles waged by the JCP on the various issues concerned with the livelihood of the people.

Prakash Karat, general secretary of the CPI(M), congratulated the JCP for its good performance in the elections. He explained about the current political situation in India and how the Indian government too is increasingly deepening its alliance with the US; in this context he brought to Ogata Yasuo’s notice the recent visit of the Indian prime minister to the US.

Other present during the discussion included Sitaram Yechury, member of the Polit Bureau and head of the International Department, Hari Singh Kang (member, Central Secretariat) and R Arun Kumar (International Department). Ogata Yasuo was accompanied by Takashi Yasuko of Akahata.