Spring Diet Session - Japan News Postwar Edition No. 219 – March 21, Showa 25 (1950)

After completing a two-month study tour of the United States, the delegation of Japanese parliamentarians, led by group leader Yamazaki, returned and began appearing in the Diet from March 14. Immediately, both Mr. Asanuma and Mr. Shiikuma shared stories from their trip. Interviewer: “You’ve become quite stylish, haven’t you?” Asanuma Inejirō: “Well, this is pretty nice, right?” Interviewer: “Is it from over there?” Asanuma Inejirō: “Yes, they have stores over there too that carry exactly the right sizes for us.” Interviewer: “What was the American reaction like?” Shiikuma Saburō: “It was really something else. Right after our grand landing, we held a press conference, and the very first question was about the Japanese Communist Party.” Interviewer: “Hmm.” Meanwhile, at the House of Councillors Committee on the Repatriation of Overseas Compatriots on March 16, the Communist Party’s Secretary-General Tokuda was summoned regarding the Tokuda repatriation request issue. Tokuda refused to take the oath from the very beginning, causing quite a commotion. Chairman Okamoto: Tokuda Kyūichi (Communist): “You should just go investigate Siberia, or go to Moscow and investigate Moscow. There’s no need for such unnecessary things.” (jeers from the room) Chairman: “Witness, please be quiet.” Chairman Okamoto: “It has been said that you made a request not to repatriate reactionaries. We would like your testimony on this point.” Tokuda Kyūichi: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s better for everyone to come back. I have absolutely no recollection of ever sorting people into ‘reactionaries’ or ‘non-reactionaries’ and making distinctions like that.”