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| JCP Chairwoman Tamura Tomoko (Archive) |
The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) has sharply criticized the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, calling the turmoil a symptom of deeper structural failings within Japan’s dominant political establishment.
At a press conference held on Sunday, JCP Chairwoman Tamura Tomoko declared Ishiba’s resignation “only natural,” but stressed that responsibility lies not with one leader alone. “What’s at stake is the responsibility of the entire Liberal Democratic Party,” she said.
At a press conference held on Sunday, JCP Chairwoman Tamura Tomoko declared Ishiba’s resignation “only natural,” but stressed that responsibility lies not with one leader alone. “What’s at stake is the responsibility of the entire Liberal Democratic Party,” she said.
Tamura pointed to the LDP’s failure to address corruption scandals, the rising cost of living, and Japan’s close alignment with U.S. military expansion as reasons for widespread public dissatisfaction. “Ishiba’s exit does not resolve the crisis,” she added. “We must put an end to LDP-style politics altogether.”
The JCP has urged the swift convening of an extraordinary Diet session to debate measures aimed at easing economic hardship, including tax relief. Tamura warned against allowing LDP factional infighting to stall governance, insisting that “internal power struggles should not come at the expense of the public’s needs.”
Tamura also renewed her call for broader cooperation between opposition parties and civic groups, emphasizing the need to build a people-centered alternative to the entrenched LDP system. “The future lies in uniting citizens’ movements and opposition forces to chart a new democratic course,” she said.
The JCP’s statement comes in the wake of a turbulent summer for Japanese politics. In July, the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Upper House, a historic setback that emboldened opposition calls for change. In recent months, the JCP has also criticized shadowy political donations, the influence of religious groups in LDP factions, and the spread of right-wing extremism.
By positioning itself as a champion of transparency, economic relief, and democratic renewal, the JCP hopes to seize momentum from the crisis and present itself as a credible alternative at a time when Japan’s political future appears increasingly uncertain.
The JCP has urged the swift convening of an extraordinary Diet session to debate measures aimed at easing economic hardship, including tax relief. Tamura warned against allowing LDP factional infighting to stall governance, insisting that “internal power struggles should not come at the expense of the public’s needs.”
Tamura also renewed her call for broader cooperation between opposition parties and civic groups, emphasizing the need to build a people-centered alternative to the entrenched LDP system. “The future lies in uniting citizens’ movements and opposition forces to chart a new democratic course,” she said.
The JCP’s statement comes in the wake of a turbulent summer for Japanese politics. In July, the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Upper House, a historic setback that emboldened opposition calls for change. In recent months, the JCP has also criticized shadowy political donations, the influence of religious groups in LDP factions, and the spread of right-wing extremism.
By positioning itself as a champion of transparency, economic relief, and democratic renewal, the JCP hopes to seize momentum from the crisis and present itself as a credible alternative at a time when Japan’s political future appears increasingly uncertain.
It has to be noted that the Japanese Communist Party officially defines itself as a “democratic opposition party” guided by scientific socialism (Marxism), but rejects Leninist concepts of a vanguard party and dictatorship of the proletariat. It advocates for a parliamentary road to socialism—working within Japan’s democratic institutions rather than overthrowing them. However, It keeps a consistent anti-imperialist, anti-war position.
