Kazuo Shii, Chairman of the Japanese Communist Party, delivered a passionate interim speech on March 12, 2025, at the National Prefectural Committee Chairs Conference held at the party's headquarters. He emphasized the necessity of creating guidance and activities to spread enthusiasm and energy throughout the party as part of the drive to achieve significant victories.
"We need to create leadership and activities to spread enthusiasm and energy throughout the party, making a major leap forward toward victory," Shii declared, as he called on members to engage deeply with three focal areas: political guidance, demands, and party expansion.
Shii's remarks set the tone for discussions about the situations facing the party. His speech referenced the Liberal Democratic Party's loss of seats during the recent elections, which led some to believe they were managing the situation well. Yet, Shii pointed out the positive view offered by the executive board resolution, which suggests the party's "survival strategy" is showing significant flaws. "The executive board resolution states unequivocally, 'the survival strategies of the LDP are visibly unravelling,' indicating our engagement is putting pressure on them," he said.
The conference also encapsulated concerns about the global climate, particularly with the rise of the Trump administration. Shii criticized the administration's approach, emphasizing, "the sunset of American imperialism has begun," and lamented the lack of references to global governance frameworks such as the UN during Trump’s speeches. He argued such narratives promote isolationism and undermine global trust.
Following Shii, Tamura Tomoko, the chairperson of the committee, summarized the discussions, highlighting three central points. The first was the importance of self-analysis and political guidance, spurred by Shii's call for aggressive engagement with the current political climate. "The discussions were characterized by honest self-analysis about our roles and the thrust of our initiatives," Tamura noted during her address.
One major point raised by Tamura was the need for reliable hope amid acknowledgment of the difficulties the party faces. "While achieving our goals is not easy, discussions confirmed reliable hope is being developed," she stated, echoing sentiments about the party's capacity to overcome challenges.
During the conference, both Shii and Tamura urged members to learn from the recent "Osaka Meeting," where over 500 young people gathered. Shii expressed his emotion after attending, remarking, "The Osaka Meeting taught us valuable lessons about organizing successful meetings with consistent guidance." This experience illustrated how enthusiasm can be cultivated through structured events and active participation.
Discussion also centered around the significance of demands and dialogues. Shii mentioned how confidence is spreading within party ranks, especially where efforts have been genuinely made. He indicated, "while we have reached only 10% of our target, the fact we are taking action holds great significance for our growth and rejuvenation as a party."
Tamura echoed this sentiment, calling for exchanges of experiences related to demand dialogue, emphasizing how shared learning can benefit the party’s overarching efforts. "All statements expressed confidence, and it was appealed to exchange experiences and promote party-wide activities," she articulated.
Through their discussions, both leaders reaffirmed the need for structural commitment within the party organization to bolster enthusiasm. They highlighted the necessity for combat capability within the party's structures, emphasizing the importance of motivating party members to overcome difficulties with passion and energy.
Before concluding, Shii and Tamura both underscored the urgency of action and the need for sustained effort. Tamura captured the sentiment perfectly when she said, "Each day is questioned, and we must show our commitment through action starting this week.”
Both leaders accentuated the belief in continuous engagement and brainstorming to drive party activities forward. Shii remarked on the dire stakes at play, emphasizing, "The fate of the party depends on this major movement. Through honest discussions, we must surely create breakthroughs."
With strong leadership and renewed enthusiasm, both Shii and Tamura are leading their party through contentious times, aiming to expand and invigorate their ranks as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The potent ideas generated at the conference reflect not only challenges but also opportunities for the Japanese Communist Party to redefine its strategies for growth and engagement.