Report on the Results of the Meeting with Major Political Parties in Japan

(Nov. 18-19, 2010, Tokyo)

Hon. Chung Eui-yong, visited Tokyo from Nov. 18 to 19, 2010, to have rounds of talks with major political parties in Japan, namely the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), and Japanese Communist Party (JCP). Meeting with New Komeito Party was initially planned, however it was later cancelled on the request of the representative from New Komeito Party.

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)

The meeting with DPJ was held in the afternoon of Nov. 18, 2010, at the DPJ HQ, participated by: Hon. Chung Eui-yong, Co-Chairman of the Standing Committee and Secretary General of the ICAPP, Hon. Nishimura Chinami, Director-General of International Department of DPJ and Member of the Standing Committee of the ICAPP, Mr. Naoto Sakaguchi, Vice Director-General of International Department of DPJ, and Ms. Mieko Nakabayashi, Vice Director-General of International Department of DPJ. The meeting was also observed by Mr. Kenichi Suzuki, Deputy General Manager of International Department, Office of the Secretary General of DPJ, Ms. Alison Burnicle, Deputy General Manager of International Department, Office of the Secretary General of DPJ, and Mr. Lee Chung-min, Program Coordinator of ICAPP Secretariat.

In the meeting, Hon. Chung explained the increasing influence of the ICAPP and the role it can play in spreading democracy in Asia. He explained that the ICAPP is a unique international organization that it is open to all ideas and ideologies of different political backgrounds. In that sense, he said the ICAPP can play a moderator role between countries like India and Pakistan, North and South Korea.

Hon. Chung also proposed to DPJ to consider hosting a special workshop on climate change in the near future with other political parties in Japan. Hon. Chung emphasized that Japan has been the leader of this field for many years and that it is about time for Japan to play a more proactive role in the ICAPP.

As a response, Hon. Nishimura showed respect to the progress that the ICAPP has made for the past ten years and reaffirmed DPJ’s commitment to support future activities of the ICAPP. She agreed to Hon. Chung’s point that the ICAPP holds unique position among political parties in Asia however, contended that it is up to the government of each country to solve issues of sensitive nature. With regard to climate change workshop, she thanked Hon. Chung for acknowledging Japan’s contribution to the world climate change discussion and said that her party will seriously consider hosting such an event however, cautioned that DPJ does not have sufficient fund at the moment.

Mr. Sakaguchi, said that the forthcoming 6^th GA of the ICAPP in Cambodia shows the level of maturity that Cambodian government had made in promoting democracy for the last several years and added that he look forward to attending the meeting. Ms. Mieko showed her interest in the special workshop on women leadership session of the 6^th GA.

Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP)

The meeting with LDP took place right after conclusion of the meeting with DPJ. It was held at the LDP HQ, participated by: Hon. Chung Eui-yong and Mr. Kono Taro, Former Director-General of International Bureau of LDP, on behalf of Hon. Tanahashi Yasufumi, Director-General of International Bureau of LDP. It was observed by several staff members of International Bureau of LDP and Mr. Lee of ICAPP Secretariat.

In the meeting, Hon. Chung and Mr. Kono exchanged their views on the activities of the ICAPP for the last ten years and discussed the possibility of co-hosting special workshop on climate change with DPJ. Mr. Kono said he would refer Hon. Chung’s request to Hon. Tanahashi for consideration.

Japanese Communist Party (JCP)

The meeting with JCP was held at the JCP HQ in the afternoon of Nov. 19, 2010, participated by: Hon. Chung Eui-yong, Mr. Shii Kazuo, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of JCP, Mr. Ogata Yasuo, Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee and Chairperson of the International Commission of JCP, and a member of JCP. It was observed by Mr. Ito Hisanobu of JCP and Mr. Lee of ICAPP Secretariat.

During the meeting, Hon. Chung thanked JCP for its strong support to the activities of the ICAPP. He said that because of JCP’s active participation, other political parties in Japan are now beginning to see the importance of the ICAPP activities. He also asked for JCP’s support in collaborating with other major political parties in Japan to host the special workshop on climate change in the near future.

As a response, Mr. Shii acknowledge JCP’s continued commitment to the activities of the ICAPP and said JCP will find a consensus to host the special workshop on climate change with other major political parties in Japan. On the account of the substance of the Phnom Penh Declaration, he said that JCP would mostly appreciate ICAPP’s effort if sentences pertaining to “nuclear free world” and the importance of NPT will be included.