(15) Understanding the Situation and Approach to Activity; Study and Education

Basically speaking, the progress of the work for political renovation of Japan depends on the pace and scale of building the people's vanguard party as the key for developing the subjective conditions to achieve this. Based on the advance and also the rich lessons and achievements since the last party congress, the entire party must take up the challenge with new initiatives and zeal.

1. To this end, it is essential for the character of the current situation to be made part of the political understanding to be grasped by the whole party. The party is now opening up a new dramatic phase of major party progress which is of epochal significance in the party's postwar history. The great advance of the party in the general election and the Metropolitan Assembly election is part of this process. Subsequent developments are opening up big opportunities for the party's further advance based on this achievement.

During such an historic upheaval it can happen that the political understanding by party organizations and party members lags behind the objective situation which is developing and unfolding on a very wide scale. In reviewing our general election and Metropolitan Assembly election campaigns, we see that the path for our great advance was opened up by making repeated efforts to overcome such a lag in political understanding which existed among some circles in the party, expressed by some members by saying, "You may be right, but my area is different," or "My workplace is the same as ever." It is important to learn this lesson to bring about further developments in party activity.

2. Another point is to achieve in both quantity (scale) and quality (content), new developments in party activity appropriate to the current situation, and to fully develop, in more varied ways, activity based on "talking about the JCP."

On the scale of activity, the whole party must consciously pursue achieving "a majority in every field and every area," as regards both the mass movement and the expansion of party strength. In our activity during this period--through various public meetings and symposiums, we have seen exchanges and ties increasing with new sections of the people that we have not seen before. But the fact is that the people who the party are having exchanges and talks with are limited to only a part of the whole of Japanese society.

For example, today in Japan, the people's social life and their social activity takes place in a variety of organizations and associations. Their workplaces have various organizations and circles including trade unions, and their communities have people's self-governing associations, community associations and PTAs (Parent-Teacher Associations). Traders belong to trade organizations, shop-keepers' associations and commercial and industrial associations. Farming and fishing villages also have organizations for villagers and farming and fishing people's cooperative associations. There are also such organizations as young people's associations, women's and old people's clubs. Organizations such as managers' associations and those of the medical profession have great influence in society. Many of them were long-standing spheres of influence for the conservative parties. But great upheavals are now taking place in the situation because LDP politics is becoming more and more contradictory as regards all aspects of the people's everyday life. We must do our utmost to take our vision into every organization and body where the people are living and working, organize dialogues and exchanges of opinions and promote joint action on points of agreement, in order to deepen understanding and support for the party.

As regards the content of activity, new efforts have been made for improving the approach and content, in order to increase dialogue and exchanges of opinion with wide sections of the people who are groping for a way forward, especially with those who do not support any specific party. More emphasis was put on "dialogue-type" exchanges of opinion and more effort was made to talk about the party and politics, using their own language without "stereotyped" phrases. Such versatile ingenious ways have been developing in symposiums and in dialogue activity at everyday level. But we need more wisdom and effort to be used.

3. Study and education can be the intellectual basis for party organizations and party members to correctly grasp the rapidly-changing character of the current situation and for organizing good-motivated activity. This can also be the best guarantee for developing a better capacity to talk about politics as well as to speak about the party's total image including its line and history. Through constant study we aim to develop the intellectual prowess of the party, which can help to rally the people.

The JCP 20th Congress resolution said, "the fact that only 50 to 60% of all the party members have completed the reading of CC decisions and the basic material for election campaigns is indeed very unsatisfactory and a position we must overcome. We must advance the position in the party to one in which literally 100% of the party members read through party decisions." Efforts have been made based on this policy, but only 45% of party members completely read the decisions of the last party congress, and only 30 to 50% read the CC decisions following the party congress. This is a serious weak point in party activity.

Party decisions are gems of collective thought, which include crystal-clear lessons drawn from the various experiences of the whole party and are carefully formulated after analyzing the domestic and international situation, on the basis of the Party's Program and scientific socialism. Only on the basis of collective thought, and not on their own set style, can party organizations and party members develop their party activity with rich specificity. In this period we have seen some party organizations developing the campaign for getting party members to completely read party decisions, based on their deep understanding of the importance of getting party decisions completely known to all party members, and always grasping the actual developments in the situation in the light of party decisions. This must be a lesson for the whole party.

On the question of what to study, the following three points are relevant: (1) solid understanding of the line and history of the party, (2) study of the immediate policy and plan of the party, (3) study of the theory of scientific socialism itself. In this period the "designated documents for self-study" were revised, and the guidelines were clarified to promote the study of these three fields based on self-study. Even in study and education, it is important to emphasize and encourage the careful reading of daily Akahata and make the most of it in everyday activity.

We must put improving study and education activity as the first task for developing all activity and allocate a considerable portion of party activity to it, to ensure that the whole party gets the "learning spirit." Based on the decisions of this 21st JCP Congress, we will strive to achieve a party that literally deserves the name of "a party in which 100% of its members completely read party decisions."

(16) "Party Branches Are the Key Players"--Toward Human Groups Which Radiate Individuality

1. The last party congress called on the entire party, on all problems related to party activity, to carry out "branch-based" party activity in which branches display lively initiative, and called on every branch to help develop the mass movement and party building according to a prepared "policy and plan."

As the result of efforts by the whole party after the last party congress, party activity in which "party branches are the key players" is now fairly on track, with 89.4% of all branches working according to their prepared "policy and plan" and 50% of all branches sponsoring public meetings and symposiums in the campaign for the general election. This is the best result we have achieved in party building during this period, and it opens up a new phase in party building in the history of the party.

A branch is the JCP's basic political unit, and throughout Japan there are well over 20,000 branches working in unity with the people at grassroots level. This is a valuable asset exclusive to the party. We must achieve further advances of such activity, in the firm belief that activity with the "branches as the key players" firmly rooted throughout the whole party and steadily developing is the surest way to open the road toward a new Japan in which "the people are the sovereign power."

2. In the period, the Central Committee organized two workshops, one following the House of Councilors election and the other after the general election, to "share the experiences of the advanced branches," with a view to learning the lessons from the very good activity throughout the country. The new course of development which commonly emerged in these branches was as follows:

--They are conscious of their function as basic political units of the party with concrete political goals for changing workplaces, communities, and schools, based on discussion on "What sort of workplaces do we want to create?" and "What sort of communities do we want to create?" They are consciously working to approach and reach the target of a number of votes as a percentage of the electorate.

--They are developing party building and party activity based on people's demands, with all the voters in communities, workplaces and schools within their perspective, and burning with enthusiasm for literally establishing a majority, with a view to responding to the current developments in the situation. In advanced branches, they are engaged in such varied and rich activity: symposiums based on demands of people in communities; activity among a wide range of organizations such as town associations and the people's autonomous associations in communities; propaganda using portable megaphones and noticeboards; stimulated party activity by organizing JCP supporters associations and enjoyable annual events with supporters.

--As a keystone of party branch activity to get all party members to take part, priority is given to weekly branch meetings, and creative efforts made for "meetings in which every member speaks" and "meetings in which all those attending are inspired." In such meetings the need for study is emphasized and the joy and hardship of party activity candidly talked about and shared. With due attention to the initial motivation of each party member for joining the party, as well as to their current position, abilities and tastes, they are developing as human groups brimming with human concern and radiating individuality. It is clear from this that the key to the further development of party branch activity is to implement one of the fundamental points in the amendments to Party Constitution at the 20th Party Congress as follows: "to hold regular meetings of the basic organization (a branch meeting or team meeting) in principle once a week."

--Instead of waiting for instructions from higher party bodies, they are using their initiative to readily discuss, embrace and implement national party policy when it is issued. Central Committee decisions and many other policies published in daily Akahata are specifically addressed to basic organizations. They should not become the policy of basic organizations only after they have been embraced by intermediate-level party bodies. Branches must be willing to readily embrace and implement such policies, and an atmosphere for this must be generated in the whole party.

Convinced of the logical course of development of such branch activities, all branches should work to change the power relation in communities, workplaces and schools, based on the decisions of this 21st Party Congress; map out the "policy and plan" specifying the prospects for winning a majority and take steps for making new challenges.

In accordance with the present situation, to develop proper activity in party organizations in workplaces, which account for 60% of all basic party units, has significance not only for specific workplaces but for the total social situation. Reflecting the developments since the general election, great changes are taking place in workplaces, causing bankruptcy to the political line of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) and its system of making its members support specific political parties. In this situation, the JCP's political weight is becoming bigger than ever in workplaces. Unfolding in front of our eyes are big opportunities for building strong party organizations in workplaces. Taking total responsibility for their workplaces and earnestly seeking to become the majority, party organizations in workplaces must strive to advance party branch activity, in view of the whole living situation of all working people including Rengo trade unionists, unorganized workers, and managerial workers. We must take the lead in developing, in a wide range of workplaces, the Progressive Unity Forum movement. We must systematize and consolidate the exchange meetings of workplace party organizations, which have been held throughout Japan.

3. For establishing and developing party activity in which the "branches are the key players," we must make drastic improvements in the leadership and approach of intermediate party bodies (prefectural and district committees) on the following two points:

The first is on what leadership they should provide for encouraging initiative by branches and their self-reliance. To this end, priority must not be given to organizational leadership without political guidance, but to the sort of political leadership which will encourage and convince each and every party member in branches. In the period, the Central Committee had a workshop, "On District Organizations' Experience on Providing Leadership," in which many reports were made about efforts by party bodies to improve their leadership: "from a hectoring style to an encouraging one," "toward leadership which gives priority to self-reliance and initiative instead of pressuring from above." Also, on meetings of the chairpersons of party branches, there was a report which said that, with constant attention on how to provide encouraging leadership, they changed the old style of meetings which consisted of one-way reports by party bodies, to meetings in which the worries of the chairpersons of the basic organizations were shared and responded to. They were thus able to win better participation in the meetings, and they were liked by the branches. Also it was common that they made efforts for establishing branch leaderships and improving their political and theoretical standards. Such lessons must be heeded by the party at all levels.

There is a tendency among some circles in the party to misunderstand the meaning of "branches are the key players," thinking it means leaving everything to branches, with the result that they hesitate to provide the necessary positive leadership and assistance to help branches undertake the appropriate activity to be "the key players." This is not correct. While improving general leadership by giving more emphasis to political leadership, we must actively go out of our way to visit branches in order to provide them with specific leadership, especially those with particular problems, to jointly help them overcome such problems. This is the test of the true merit and capacity of party bodies.

The second point is that intermediate party bodies must not limit their responsibility to inner-party leadership, but take responsibility for local political problems "on behalf of the JCP in the district." While assuming all this responsibility, they must drastically strengthen various activity for working directly toward the people. On this, big positive changes have been made in this period. Activity has been developed more widely than ever before throughout Japan: for example, many JCP-sponsored symposiums on the urgent demands of residents, many JCP policies and proposals presented for meeting the people's demands, and direct action by party bodies toward local governments for achieving such demands.

By embodying the 21st Party Congress decisions into the "comprehensive plan," party bodies at all levels must make the most of the lessons which we have learned in this period.

It is also important to make efforts to improve the payment of party dues and to strengthen the finances of party bodies. We will make efforts to maintain and develop financial activity based on conscious efforts by the whole party.

(17) Mass Movement--For the Bold Expansion of Movement Based on New Changes

1. From the great changes in the situation, a new perspective for establishing a majority has also developed in the various sections of the mass movements. The great need is to develop movements with a broad outlook and with ambitious aims to take thorough advantage of the new conditions.

Progressive national mass organizations like the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nominren), the All-Japan Federation of Traders' and Producers' Organizations (Zenshoren), the New Japan Women's Association, the Democratic Youth League of Japan, and the All-Japan Federation of Student Unions (Zengakuren) are called on to strengthen their capacity and to develop wide-scale dialogue and cooperation with all organizations based on mutually agreed demands, taking the initiative to establish a majority in each sector, to build a broad united front for democratic change.

It is also important to develop the organizations of specific sections such as the National Federation of Safeguarding People's Living and Life, the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions, and the New Japan Sports Federation, as well as handicapped people's movements.

2. The workers movement in Japan faces a historical turning point of new development. The movement has been greatly influenced by changes in the power balance on the political front, which is manifested in the advance of the JCP and the decline of the Social Democratic Party (former Socialist Party--ed.) in the general election and the absorption of the Democratic Socialist Party into the New Frontier Party (Shinshinto). The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), as a consequence of the general election and the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election results, is now unable to maintain a coherent political line and its policy on economic issues, a fact which clearly proves the failure of its line. As regards thought discrimination in workplaces, we won a major victory by the Supreme Court ruling in the Kansai Electric Power Company case, which ruled such action as illegal, and the series of victories by the district courts rulings in the Tokyo Electric Power Company case and the Chubu Electric Power Company case. Thus the policy of the domination of workers by companies based on anticommunist thought discrimination is now bankrupt. These new changes on the labor front and in workplaces are invaluable and significant for developing and advancing the workers movement in Japan.

The workers movement in Japan has been remarkably weak compared with the movement in other countries; faced with reactionary government policies, the democratic mass movements do fight back, but the trade union movement has been unable to carry out any nationwide counterattack against them, because reactionary currents such as Rengo embrace many of the trade unions. The trade union movement is now required to take advantage of the new conditions, and return to its original purpose of defending the workers' interests, and develop a broad current based on the democratic principles of (1) unity around demands, (2) independence from capital and (3) independence from political parties.

Zenroren is pursuing a promising direction of development by its efforts to expand cooperation among trade unions around agreed demands, including those influenced by Rengo and independent trade unions, and by carrying out big campaigns to realize the demands of the workers and the people, and by tackling the task of organizing unorganized workers.

In developing trade unions in a democratic way, efforts by the party and democratic people in the workplaces as well as by Zenroren are of decisive importance. The party will strengthen its activity aimed at establishing a majority in workplaces, and organize and develop Progressive Unity Forums in workplaces for helping trade unions to become more class-oriented and democratic by marginalizing in workplaces the Rengo line which now faces complete failure. The party aims to develop a strong base and build overwhelming influence in this most important field of Japanese society and movement.

3. In the field of farmers and agriculture, it is important to make efforts to democratically develop the Agricultural Cooperative Associations as well as strengthening the National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nominren). The Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations collaborated with the JCP based on the agreed point of opposition to the liberalization of the import of agricultural products; but then, it has been forced to play a supplementary role to the administration of pushing the reduction of the rice acreage and other things under the new food law (Law for Stabilization of Supply, Demand and Prices of Staple Food,) further deepening the contradictions with the farmers. But as long as the cooperatives carry the banner as the organization for the "cooperation of farmers," taking such a course will inevitably lead to its own reason for existence being rejected. Positive changes are taking place with many heads of local agricultural cooperatives taking part in JCP-sponsored symposiums on rice issues. The party seeks cooperation with the cooperatives based on agreed demands such as preventing the total liberalization of rice imports, reforming the WTO (World Trade Organization) conventions and improving the food self-sufficiency ratio, and at the same time explores through dialogue the possibility of cooperation on the question of the reduction of the rice acreage.

4. In the field of small- and medium-sized traders, it is important to carry out activity taking into consideration the great changes taking place in various trade organizations, and to develop the All-Japan Federation of Traders' and Producers' Organizations (Zenshoren). Basically the association of commerce and industry, the chamber of commerce and industry and the shopkeepers' association have been the strong support base for the LDP in the cities. This was made possible because of the various "regulations" and subsidies which give certain protection to small- and medium-sized businesses. However, in addition to the recession, "deregulation" which gives big capital a freehand will be a deadly blow for small- and medium-sized traders, and the imposition of support for the LDP is beginning to collapse. Dialogue and cooperation between them and the JCP are now developing in various forms, including symposiums and in the struggle against the indiscriminate advance of big stores in the localities. In this field too, activity is required to take advantage of the new possibilities for establishing a majority.

It is still important to make every effort to democratically develop the consumers' cooperatives movement in accordance with its fundamental character.

5. The new advances in the women's movement are worthy of note. In the circumstances of women's rights and their life being repressed, broad cooperation is being promoted beyond past limits. Dialogue and cooperation with local women's associations are being promoted based on their keen demands. Various groups and networks have come into existence, which deal with issues extending from the demands of daily life to questions of national politics, such as equal rights between the sexes, children's care, education, the environment, food safety, care for the elderly, war-time sex slaves, etc., demonstrating women's energy and the development of a variety of movements.

The JCP, since its foundation, has strenuously struggled for equal rights between the sexes and for improving the status of women, and must now take into consideration the whole picture of the new changes taking place and further develop dialogue and cooperation with many women and their organizations.

6. Japan's population of old people is rapidly increasing, and their percentage of the whole population is increasing.

The government backed by financial circles is drastically revising for the worse the medical care and pension systems, and intensifying their attacks to cut back the social security system overall. In this situation, the old people's struggle demanding better medical, pension and welfare systems is all the more important.

The party will develop more dialogue with the democratic movement of old people, and also with the various organizations of old people, and work to achieve the urgent demands of old people.

7. For advancing the undertaking of social progress in Japan, the role played by cultural people and intellectuals is now more important than ever. The phenomenon described as "loss of a sense of direction" which emerged in some quarters in the turbulent world situation is now being overcome, and our cooperation with a wide range of cultural and academic organizations and the individuals involved is expanding. The academic value of scientific socialism is getting the attention of cultural people and intellectuals who have a different ideological basis. The theoretical activity to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Engels had remarkable significance for defending and further developing scientific socialism. On the other hand, as seen in the reactionary rewriting of Japanese history, right-wing journalists and others are making stronger reactionary attacks on the cultural and academic sections. In light of the present developments in the situation, the party is strengthening its creative, theoretical and ideological activity which further demonstrates the value of scientific socialism, and is developing dialogue and cooperation with a wide range of cultural people, intellectuals and religionists. Special attention will be given to activity for overcoming the present situation in which freedom for study and cultural activity is being suppressed and constricted. The struggle to enact a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Law and the struggle against the introduction of the Term-Time Employment System for University Teachers have increased our cooperation with them, which must be further developed.

(18) On Increasing Akahata Subscribers and Party Membership--Special Importance of Organizing Young Generation in Progressive Direction

1. The JCP advance in the last general election has given the party new opportunities and prospects for increasing the party's strength. The character of party development at this stage is that while the party's political influence is becoming much greater, the increase in the party's strength is not keeping pace with this situation. Seen from the opposite side, the conditions for increasing the party's strength have never been greater.

Analysis of how the attitude of Tokyo voters changed toward the JCP between the last general election and the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election shows that considerable numbers of supporters of the party were floating voters. Therefore, a key factor for guaranteeing the party's advance in subsequent elections is to make dynamic efforts to get support from much wider strata of the people and work to make more people firm, solid supporters of the party. The increasing of party membership and Akahata subscribers is the guarantee for such party advance.

The JCP 6th CC Plenum in December 1996 decided that the whole party should carry out a campaign aiming for "10% of JCP voters in the general election to be party members and 50% of them to be Akahata subscribers" and that the "comprehensive plan" of every party body and the "policy and plan" of every party branch should include increasing the party's strength as part of this broad perspective.

The next general election will take place within three years of the JCP 21st Congress. The JCP 22nd Congress is supposed to take place within two to three years, which means before the end of the 20th century. We call on the whole party to achieve the aim of "10% of JCP voters in the general election to be party members and 50% of them to be Akahata subscribers" by the end of the 20th century at the latest, and to enter the 21st century with JCP membership twice what it now is and Akahata subscribers 1.5 times what they now are.

2. For increasing party strength, it is important to maintain the following principled course which the party has observed since the 20th Congress:

--Rather than carrying out "monthly campaigning"-type activity which calls for only pursuing increasing party strength in a concentrated way, each party body and branch must carry out comprehensive activity, including mass movements activity based on the people's demands, and work for various ties with the people on a wider scale and at the same time independently pursue increasing party strength.

--To give great importance to each of the "two pillars for increasing party strength"--increasing party membership and Akahata subscribers--and work to promote both aspects and develop a multiplier effect on them.

--Each party body must make the following tasks as the basis of guidance to each party branch: to help each branch to carry out the principle of the "branches as the key players"; not to impose automatic targets as "quotas" on branches; to help each party branch on its own volition to decide and achieve its goals. To make efforts to develop the general tendency throughout the whole party of each party branch deciding of its own volition its targets and to work for their achievement.

More and more party organizations throughout the country are sticking to this principled course and achieving continuous advance in increasing party strength, not only at branch level, but also at district and prefectural level. This is a promising sign for future party advance.

On the increase of party membership, due to the continuous effort of the whole party since the 20th Party Congress, the party is reversing the tendency of downturn and is achieving an advance. At this time of our 21st Congress we have about 370,000 members. It is noticeable that the pace of this campaign has been picking up since the last general election. More than 40% of party branches have got new members since the 20th Congress. From now to the next congress, let all branches recruit new members and establish party branches in localities, workplaces and campuses where there are no branches at present. Let us also make an all-out effort to double the party membership.

On the increase of Akahata subscribers, it is important that in each of the last six months we have consecutively increased the subscribers, but we did not recover the position of the 20th Congress level. We should give importance to the fact that party activity has not yet reached party supporters who are rapidly increasing in this turbulent situation. Now that the role of Akahata in developing and increasing public opinion and movement for progress and democracy is becoming more and more important, the whole party must do its utmost to carry out energetic activity to get new and wider strata of the people to subscribe to and read Akahata. All the branches and prefectural and district committees should make serious efforts every month, based on the perspective of increasing Akahata subscribers to 1.5 times the present position before the end of this century. To prevent subscribers from ending their subscription, which amount to several tens every month, and to win continuous advance, we should end habitual practices, and based on branches establish and strengthen systems for Akahata delivery and the collection of fees, and developing daily ties with readers. The party must also do its best to release JCP local assembly members, leading members of party bodies and others from any excessive burden they may have in relation to delivering Akahata and collecting subscription fees.

3. The youth and student sectors reflect in a most acute way the character of the new situation brought about by the party's advance in the last general election and in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. The growing interest in and expectations of the JCP among the young generation are remarkable across the country--in workplaces, local communities and on campuses, including the spheres in which the influence of the democratic youth movement has been weak. The survey of this year's new students shows the support rate for the JCP to be rising while the number of students who reject the party decreased to one third of what it was several years ago. Taking advantage of these new conditions, the party must drastically strengthen its activity among the young generation to pursue increasing party strength and the Democratic Youth League of Japan.

Faced with the serious deadlock in Japanese politics and society, Japan's youth today are looking for a future without prejudice and seeking something they can put their energy into. The expansion of volunteer movements among the youth in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the health disaster involving HIV-contaminated blood products, environmental problems and the U.S. base issues in Okinawa, show growing positive energy and concern among the young generation. It is important for the party to create various opportunities for an exchange of views and dialogue with the young generation in a natural way and to work together to pursue the course for social progress.

This is a pressing task for the party in view of the need to train successors for the revolutionary movement. The whole party is called on to do all it can to organize the young generation in a progressive direction to achieve a great advance in party strength.

(19) Remain Aware of the Party's Great Responsibility for Social Progress before the People

The party advance in the last general election and the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election has opened the way for Japanese politics to have a promising future in the 21st century. The moment of truth for the party now is whether it can create a second wave for making a leap forward. The party advance will meet new challenges from our opponents. The road ahead for the party will never be easy and smooth. To create another wave of advance, the whole party must not be content with its traditional forms of activity, but must work to change party activity in every field to develop new qualities on a broader scale. Keeping in mind the great responsibility for social progress the party has before the Japanese people, let us unite our efforts to create a further rising tide for the JCP.

HOME:www.jcp.or.jp/english The Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party 4-26-7 Sendagaya,Shibuya-ku,Tokyo 151-8586 E-mail:info@jcp.or.jp © .JCP