People's Democracy

THE Japanese Communist Party (JCP) has severely lambasted the statement made by US president George W Bush characterising North Korea, Iran, and Iraq as an "axis of evil" and the unconditional support extended to his warlike policy by Japan’s LDP-led coalition government headed by prime minister Koizumi Junichiro. On his part, Bush also encouraged Koizumi to push ahead with his "structural reform" during the summit talks held in Tokyo on February 18.

At a joint news conference after the talks, Bush was asked about his reference to the "axis of evil" theory in his State of the Union address. His reply was "I explained to him all options are on the table," suggesting that the US is prepared to launch an attack against Iraq.

Bush generously praised Japan as "one of America’s greatest and truest friends." He added, "The US-Japanese alliance is the bedrock for peace and prosperity in the Pacific. Japan is a generous host to America’s forward-deployed forces, providing an essential contribution to the stability of Asia. And we have no better friend, and nobody provides such steadfast support as the Japanese government." Bush thus highly appreciated Japan’s support for whatever retaliatory war the US chooses to launch against any country at its sweet will.

Koizumi, on his part, expressed his resolute support for Bush’s "axis of evil" threat. He said it demonstrated the USA’s firm resolve to "fight against terrorism" and hinted that Japan will increase its military support to the US.

At a press conference on the same day, JCP chairman Shii Kazuo came down heavily on the statements made by Bush and Koizumi. "By expressing unconditional support for the ‘axis of evil’ remarks prime minister Koizumi showed a complete lack of independent judgement, which is rare in the world," Shii said.

The JCP chairman also lambasted the ‘advice’ tendered by Bush to Koizumi on the measures to overcome the deflation currently plaguing Japan, and Koizumi’s pledge to Bush to push ahead with the "structural reforms." This, Shii said, actually means aggravating Japan’s unprecedented crisis that is characterised by a deflationary spiral. He described Koizumi’s statement as very serious in that it means a pledge to the US to lead Japan’s economy into a catastrophe.

Referring to the Bush-Koizumi summit, JCP daily Akahata pointed out that the US president’s "axis of evil" threat has been criticised not only by China and Russia but by public opinion in the entire world, and even by the USA’s allies in Europe such as France and Germany. For instance, the French foreign minister called the Bush remarks "simplistic" and pleaded that the statement must not be supported. On his part, and displaying utmost arrogance, Bush dismissed the international concern over his threat. He also cited his secretary of state’s characterisation of the criticism as mere "vapours," thus demonstrating how the US is itching to expand its ‘retaliatory war.’ The Akahata editorial also criticised the Japanese prime minister’s pledge of unconditional support to this war. This support, as Bush himself noted while stressing the importance of the Japan-US alliance, would not be limited to the ‘retaliatory war’ against Afghanistan.

The Akahata said this clearly showed what a dangerous role Japan is going to play when the US stands isolated because of the growing international criticism of the Bush administration.

Koizumi also laid emphasis on the need to maintain close coordination with the US in dealing with North Korea. Referring to it, the editorial asked: Can Japan achieve normalisation of relations with North Korea while expressing submission to the president who indicates possible strikes against North Korea as part of an "axis of evil"?

Nothing is more irresponsible than this attitude toward peace and stability in Asia, the editorial added.

About the ongoing deflation in the Japanese economy, the editorial pointed out that it is the prompt write-offs of non-performing loans held by major banks and other Koizumi ‘reforms’ that are actually to blame for the situation. It castigated the Koizumi’s word to continue with his disastrous policies at a time when the world is showing concern about the possible danger of Japan triggering a global depression. In this way, the Bush-Koizumi summit talks are calamitous to Japan and to the rest of the world, the Akahata added. Describing the Koizumi government as one that "is rapidly losing popular support," the paper said the Japanese prime minister’s offer of unconditional support for the Bush’s threat is tantamount to pledging to act as an outlawed partner of the US Bush administration. It reminded that the international community strictly prohibits any country from using its internal affairs as a reason for militarily attacking another country. It is an illegal action violating the United Nations charter and international law. In fact, the editorial said, the Koizumi cabinet has revealed itself more clearly than ever as inimical to peace in Asia and the world.

Earlier, in a House of Representatives budget committee meeting on February 15, the Japanese foreign minister Kawaguchi Yoriko defended US president’s "axis of evil" remarks as only a strong "warning" to North Korea, Iran and Iraq. This presaged the Japanese prime minister’s comment on Bush’s remarks as an indication of his "tremendous resolve" in the war against terror.

During the debate in the committee, JCP member Akamine Seiken told Kawaguchi that the Bush’s remarks meant the possibility of unilateral military attacks on these countries. He also reminded that ministers from France, Germany and South Korea have already criticised the "axis of evil" theory propounded by George W Bush.

Akamine expressed concern that such US moves would divide the united international effort to end terrorism, and asked the Japanese government to illuminate the US president about how such moves are violative of the United Nations charter and international law.

The JCP lawmaker also pointed out that as a build-up of Japan’s military support for the US forces in the retaliatory war against Afghanistan, three ships of Japan’s Maritime Defence Force have already left for the Indian Ocean. These will replace those sent earlier in November 2001 when the US launched its war against Afghanistan. Akamine Seiken demanded that the government stop this build-up of military support in light of the changing circumstances in Afghanistan that is currently striving for rehabilitation.

However, the Japanese government’s official position is that as the threat of terror is not gone, it will continue sending the self-defence forces out. Not paying heed to Akamine’s remarks, Kawaguchi also said "close cooperation between Japan and the United States will be sought."

It will be noted that the Japan’s post-war constitution explicitly forbids its governments to send any armed forces out of the country’s territory.

At the same budget committee meeting, Akamine also demanded that the plan for constructing anti-terror combat training facilities at a US Marines base in northern Okinawa be canceled. To this, foreign minister Kawaguchi Yoriko replied that his ministry was waiting for details of these facilities from the US. This prompted Akamine to denounce the foreign ministry for not knowing about the details even at this late stage.

Before the Bush-Koizumi summit on February 18, the US president and his wife also visited Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, where Emperor Meiji lies buried.

Earlier, through a statement issued on February 16, the Japan Religionists Council for Peace had demanded that Koizumi cancel the plan for Bush’s shrine visit. The council had warned that the visit would be tantamount to infringing on the constitutional principle that "the state and its organs shall refrain from religious education or any other religious activity."