Key Facts
• July 30, 2025: Kazuo Shii, leader of the Communist Party, held a press conference.
• Shii criticized reliance on short slogans by parties that gained seats in the Upper House election.
• Communist Party’s slogan: ‘Protect lives from rising prices, build a peaceful, hopeful Japan.’
• Communist Party lost 4 seats, dropping from 7 to 3 in the election.
• Shii emphasized the complexity of society, stating it cannot be reduced to simple phrases.
• Shii’s book, ‘Q&A: Why ‘Das Kapital’ is Fascinating Now,’ targets younger audiences.
• Competing parties used slogans like ‘Japanese First’ (Sanseito) and ‘Increase Take-Home Pay This Summer’ (Democratic Party for the People).
• Shii acknowledged the need to refine slogans for better communication.
Summary
Kazuo Shii, leader of Japan’s Communist Party, addressed the party’s performance in the recent Upper House election during a press conference on July 30, 2025. While acknowledging the success of rival parties that used concise slogans, Shii criticized the oversimplification of societal issues into single phrases. The Communist Party, which lost 4 seats, had campaigned with the slogan ‘Protect lives from rising prices, build a peaceful, hopeful Japan.’ Shii highlighted the importance of conveying the complexity and richness of society, emphasizing the need for persistent efforts to explain these issues. He also introduced his upcoming book, ‘Q&A: Why ‘Das Kapital’ is Fascinating Now,’ aimed at younger readers. Shii admitted the party must improve its messaging to resonate more effectively with the public.
