The New Socialist Party of Japan (NSP) will hold the 18th National Congress on February 16 and 17. Last general election held in December was a severe defeat as that has allowed political forces who want to amend the Constitution to be a government. Let's organize earnest discussions how to organize a joint political front in order to prevent attempts of amending the Constitution and defend people's life. Let's enhance Party's influence on supporters joining with us.


LET'S HAVE ENTHUSIASTIC DISCUSSIONS IN ORGANIZED MANNER


Last December the general elections ended with overwhelming victory of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) under the extremely undemocratic small constituency election system. It cannot reflect people's will at all. In addition, the Ishin-no-Kai (Association of Reform) and the Minnna-no-To, which want to revise the Constitution, gained a big success despite our concerns.


Premier Abe Shinzo has expressed an intention to obtain two-thirds of the seats in the Upper House, which is a prerequisite in the procedure to amend the Constitution. The election is scheduled in coming July. What should we do to turn down his intention?


Under the circumstances where pro-Constitution forces have been driven away from the Diet, the 18th Party Congress will be held. Since the foundation days the NSP has sought for a joint front to defend the Constitution in order to provide voters with an option. The first agendum to discuss in the coming congress is to organize reliable political forces which can win people's consent.


However, it is hard to grasp hearts of people if we just emphasize defending the Constitution and tell about danger of its amendment. Voters cannot afford to think over the Constitution as realities show; they face severe living and working conditions. Anxieties prevail: gaps, poverty (labor), nuclear power generation, environment, education, social welfare and the Okinawa issue.


Numerous Struggles to be United


'Bondage' was appealed passionately nationwide after the 3.11 Earthquakes and the succeeding accident at the nuclear power plant. But it has been broken. Civic movements have been weakened though people still raise voices, discuss and demand against nuclear power generation. But general social sentiment against nuclear power has potential and numerous struggles are being fought so that everyone can live with dignity. The second task of the party congress is to unify these struggles to vitalize constitutional principles.


The Abe government may keep a reserved stance until July when the Upper House election is scheduled. It will conceal its real intention toward the Constitution, taking a devious route. It will begin with touching upon Article 96 of the Constitution, which requests a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of the seats of each House to initiate amending the Constitution. The government, focusing primarily on economy, enforces a neo-liberal package to boost growth, saying that it will bring employment and social welfare. The line is revival of the Koizumi's reform policy.


In total 160 thousand people are still evacuees from the nuclear disaster. Their hopes are crushed. The crisis has not yet been under control.


In Okinawa the Futenma Air Station was to be closed in relation to the crime against a local girl by US soldiers in 1995, but such violent crimes have not yet ended. Over the sky Ospreys fly though the aircraft is defective. Nothing has been solved in Okinawa.


Will the Abe government try to repeat a policy to become an economic giant, leaving the Japan's wartime and post-war responsibilities intact and vague? The administration permits construction of new nuclear power stations and resumption of operation at the suspended facilities for the sake of growth. Capitalist and its power are arrogant and irresponsible. In order to counter these forces we are required to be stronger and more realistic with a firm determination to change the society.


Let's Strengthen New Socialist Party


Nobody can tell what will happen, not only in Japan but also in the rest of the world. Counterattacks of people continue, though developments are in zigzag. To be united with those people the New Socialist Party must be stronger. This is our third agendum.


We live in a turning point of history. The task is heavy but the NSP will fight together with supporters as well as readers of the organ.


January 15, 2013