Dermezel
8th August 2010, 17:41
The "ultra-strategic" Japanese Communist Party is the largest Communist Party in the Advanced Nations, meaning it has a critical place in the world Communist movement. Furthermore, it is the first most well funded political party in all of Japan from individual donations, making it one of the most well funded overall, with zero corporate donations. And third, it has had a significant influence on China, advocating the policy of "market socialism" in inter-theoretical exchanges since the 1960s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Communist_Party
Consequently, the party has not suffered an internal crisis as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union), nor has it considered disbanding or changing its name or fundamental objectives, as many other Communist parties have done. It polled 11.3% of the vote in 2000, 8.2% in 2003, 7.3% in 2005, and 7.0% in the August 2009 election. While this represents a slow decline, the JCP still polled nearly 5 million votes, after Russia the second largest showing for any Communist Party in the Group of Eight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Eight) nations. At the July 2007 elections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_House_of_Councillors_election,_2007) for the House of Councillors it received 7.5%.It has likewise survived several attacks, both from the Bourgeoisie forces and Moscow (the USSR twice tried to take over/destroy the JCP, via a series of spies first meant to subordinate it directly and then by having several JCP members turn extremely violent at inopportune times. )
http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/jps_weekly09/20090305_01.html
Opposition to Soviet hegemony is what the present JCP is about
When the Soviet power of hegemony collapsed 18 years ago, the JCP in a statement said it welcomed the end of a historical colossal evil that based itself on a great-power hegemonic ambition. In this statement, the JCP showed an outlook that the Soviet's collapse would pave the way for social progress in Japan and the rest of the world.
The JCP could issue such a statement in the face of the historic event because it had experienced 30 years of struggle against Soviet hegemony, which was a life-or-death struggle in defense of our sovereign independence as a political party representing the public interest.
In its attempt to put the Japanese people's movement under its control, the Soviet Union twice launched interference in the internal affairs of Japan.
In the 1950s, the JCP faced severe outside interference, which led to a party split. In the course of the effort to overcome this ordeal, the JCP established its policy of sovereign independence in order to decide on matters without foreign interference.
In the 1960s, the Soviet Union used all its state power to overthrow the JCP leadership that called for sovereign independence and to force the JCP to degenerate into a party subservient to the Soviet party. We managed to successfully defeat the Soviet attack.
The Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 and it attacked Afghanistan in 1979. In both cases, the JCP had no time to lose in criticizing the Soviet actions as outrages that had nothing in common with socialism.
The JCP waged these struggles for its own survival. Without these struggles, the JCP would not have been able to continue to exist. I want to express my deep thanks and respect to all the JCP predecessors who waged these struggles.It is telling to note that the JCP is still around and has been recently been gaining strength (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3218944/Japans-young-turn-to-Communist-Party-as-they-decide-capitalism-has-let-them-down.html) long after the dissolution of the USSR.
It is also telling to note that China has become the world's fastest growing economy after accepting the advice of the JCP.
Note- I do not agree with much of the politics of the JCP. They are not a Trotskyist organization, and do not seem to accept the doctrine of Permanent Revolution.
Nor however are they Stalinist since they are internationalist and democratic.
Nor are they Reformist, since they ultimately believe that capitalism must be replaced completely (the JCP defines "Revolution" more as a complete turning of the system, or an end point, not as a means. )
However they get results and furthermore in the most unlikely of places and have survived relentless machinations and repression by both sides before and during the Cold War: http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/23rd_congress/program.html
(3) Japanese imperialism in 1931 began a war of aggression in the Northeast of China and in 1937 started a total war of aggression against China, thus becoming the first aggressor nation to pave the way for World War II. In 1940, Japanese imperialism entered into a military alliance with the European fascist states, Italy and Germany, and in 1941 expanded its war of aggression beyond China into the whole of Asia and the Pacific, thus becoming a driving force for World War II.
The imperialist war and the tyranny by the power of the emperor system forced the people to endure hardships. JCP activities faced major difficulties and failures, but many JCP members, undaunted by persecution and imprisonment, fought against various kinds of betrayal and held fast to the banner of the JCP. A number of JCP members were killed in the repression.
At a time when all the other political parties together supported the war of aggression and political reaction, the JCP's dauntless struggle for peace and democracy was of great significance, which is imperishable in the cause of peace and democracy in Japan.
The war of aggression killed more than 20,000,000 people in other Asian countries as well as more than 3,000,000 Japanese people. In this war, Okinawa underwent a ground battle, and air raids throughout the country reduced many regions into ashes. In August 1945, U.S. forces dropped the world's first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 200,000 people (by the end of that year). The Japanese people became a people with tragic history of the nuclear attack engraved in their memory.
With the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan, which represented fascism and militarism, suffering setbacks throughout the world, Japanese imperialism in August 1945 was defeated and accepted the Potsdam Declaration. This was a declaration by the anti-fascist Allied Powers calling for militarism to be eliminated and for democracy to be established. It showed that the only way out for the Japanese people was to establish a peaceful and democratic Japan. This proved that the course followed undauntedly by the JCP had been basically appropriate.
In fact the original reason why democracy was outlawed in Japan was because Communists were gaining grounds first directly in elections and then indirectly by alliances with not yet outlawed groups:
The Peace Preservation Law of 1925 (治安維持法, Chian Iji Hō? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) was enacted on 12 May 1925, under the administration of Kato Takaaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kato_Takaaki), specifically against socialism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism), Communism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism), and anarchism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism). It was one of the most significant laws of pre-war Japan.
The main force behind the law was Minister of Justice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Justice_%28Japan%29) (and future Prime Minister) Hiranuma Kiichiro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiranuma_Kiichiro), although a strict law to control the activities of leftist radicals had wide support in the Diet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diet_of_Japan) and widespread popular support.
Anyone who has formed an association with altering the kokutai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokutai), or the system of private property, and anyone who has joined such an association with full knowledge of its object, shall be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour, for a term not exceeding ten years.
By using the highly vague and subjective term kokutai, the law attempted to blend politics and ethics, but the result was that any political opposition could be branded as “altering the kokutai”. Thus the government had carte blanche (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/carte_blanche) to outlaw any form of dissent.
Renewed activity by underground Japan Communist Party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Communist_Party) in 1928 led to the March 15 Incident (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_15_incident), in which police arrested more than 1,600 Communists and suspected Communists under the provisions of the Peace Preservation Law of 1925. The same year, the highly anti-Communist government of Tanaka Giichi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanaka_Giichi) pushed through an amendment to the law, raising the maximum penalty from ten years to death.
They had also taken large areas of various cities numerically in the ill-fated attempted Moscow uprising that ended up splitting the JCP and doing much damage to it for many decades. (the significance of this is not that they were set back, but that they had the numbers to almost take entire cities, even when half the leadership was against the notion. )
It is in many respects the closest any Communist Party has ever come to actual control of an advanced, industrialized nation since the Paris Commune was only 1 city, whereas the JCP almost took several major metropolitan areas.
So even if one disagrees with the JCP politically, there is no denying their results.
What can the left at large learn from their strategy?
Well from studying the JCP I can say the following seems to be among the reasons why they are so effective:
1- They work to create a strong ethic of altruism/charity:
The JCP works very hard to build ties with the local community and develop a reputation as an organization that actually helps poor people, the working class and proletariat instead of just giving lip-service to their troubles, and/or promising a better life under some future society.
It is well known that in Japan if you are in trouble you can go to the JCP for help. Even Government officials at various welfare offices will direct people to local JCP chapters if they feel unable to aid the claimant with respect to resolve an issue. Local JCP chapters will help proletariat with filing claims, paperwork, and even will make donations and act as a sort of charity to those who need help. This builds good will among the community and shows sincere intentions.
Organization ? create safety net for people's living conditions at grassroots level
The third point is our grassroots organizations. The JCP has about 400,000 members, 22,000 branches, and 3,000 local assembly members. No other political parties have such extensive grassroots organizations. What we are proud of is that our grassroots organizations carry out day-to-day activities to defend people's interests in communities and workplaces, by holding consultations on day-to-day living and labor issues.
"If you get in trouble, go to the JCP." This catchphrase is widely recognized in Japanese society today. Amid the current economic crisis, many people approach our party for advice. One said, "When I went to a local municipal office to seek support in solving the difficulties I am facing, I was told to go to the JCP." Another person said, "When I went to a police station to ask how to solve my multiple debts, I was told to go and ask the JCP."
The Asahi Shimbun carried a report entitled, "The JCP is there, ready to help those who were laid off." It described our activities as "the modern-day temple for the people to rush into." The South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh wrote, "As Japanese society's safety net is dismantled under the promotion of the neo-liberal policy of structural reform, the nationwide organizational network established by the JCP fulfills the role as the safety net for the weak in society." It is good for us to receive such positive attention, but at the same time, we recognize our responsibility is increasing to respond to and support those who are suffering from hardships.2- They are very liberal and democratically minded:
The JCP does not shrink from but both encourages and absolutely thrives on debate and criticism. This is because every member is expected to read Capital (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1636115,00.html) so they have a first hand knowledge of the intricacies of Marxist theory instead of just listening to what leadership tells them to believe.
This makes it so JCP members are rarely caught like a deer in the headlights when asked a question. In fact, because they do constant research with an open mind, and are extremely scientific, technosavvy and self-correcting they are usually far more capable of stumping opponents and making them look very ignorant on many manners.
Furthermore, the open, democratic spirit works well to negate fears of Stalinism and the idea that the JCP is simply interested in power over the welfare of people.
3- The JCP forges ties with other Communist groups- even ones they disagree with, and will even use/compromise more progressive elements of the bourgeoisie system.
The JCP makes extensive use of electoral politics, supports the UN, holds theoretical exchanges with China and Vietnam and has recently begun to reach out to the Communist Party of the United States:
http://www.cpusa.org/international-greetings-japanese-communist-party/
The Japanese Communist Party sends its sincere greetings to the National Convention of the Communist Party USA.
We hope your Convention makes an important contribution to advancing struggle to oppose poverty and joblessness, to improve people's living conditions and promote human rights, and to bring about better education, health care and social security services. We also hope it contributes to development of anti-nuclear and peace movements as well as grass-root movements aiming for a change in the U.S. military and foreign policy.
In other words, they are very honest about what is good or bad about another system, diplomatic, and willing to compromise, make strategic retreats and avoid petty squabbles over fine points of ideology which may amount to tactical gains that come at strategic loss.
In other words- they take a relativist as opposed to absolutist stance many other Communist Parties take. They do not say "Hey you are WRONG and hence as bad as the Bourgeoisie and like the devil and MUST change your mind or face the consequences comrade" but are more willing to discuss issues and work with groups that they disagree with for the greater good instead of engaging in in-group leftist drama.
A good example of this is when they sent delegates to China and Vietnam to work with them against the Iraq Invasion:
http://www.japan-press.co.jp/pdf/5thCC.pdf
Their basic policy is: http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/2009what_jcp.html
The JCP makes extensive efforts to establish friendship and exchanges with foreign political parties. Our basic position is that we will open our relations with any party if we share an interest in beginning mutual exchanges in accordance with the principles of sovereign independence, equal rights, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, regardless of whether that party is conservative or progressive, and whether it is a ruling party or an opposition party. Wherever and whenever there are conditions for us to take common action, we would like to do so in the cause of peace in Asia and the rest of the world.
As for relations with foreign governments, the JCP is making efforts to develop exchanges with them on the issues of peace and progress.
From this position, the JCP in the past several years visited the following countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, the Republic of Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Tunisia, Venezuela and Cuba. The JCP also attended the meetings of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the Summit Conference of the Non-Aligned Countries (guest) and the Organization of Islamic Countries (guest)4- The JCP does real ground breaking research exposing political corruption and corporate exploitation.
The JCP doesn't just parrot outdated slogans or old Marxist material like dogma. They have actual investigators go out and find out what is going on. In fact several corporate scandals were first reported by the JCP.
Whatever one makes of the JCP's politics, there is no denying the fact that they get results. And that is not to say they may not have gotten lucky, or maybe they have "favorable" conditions as such may undoubtedly play a role, but if one assumes a group at times can make its own luck, and its own conditions, it is worth looking into how they did it.
Perhaps there is something I am missing to it, some strategic plan or element the JCP has that I am not aware of. But overall I believe there is a lot the left can learn at large from the world's most successful Communist Party in all the First World Countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Communist_Party
Consequently, the party has not suffered an internal crisis as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union), nor has it considered disbanding or changing its name or fundamental objectives, as many other Communist parties have done. It polled 11.3% of the vote in 2000, 8.2% in 2003, 7.3% in 2005, and 7.0% in the August 2009 election. While this represents a slow decline, the JCP still polled nearly 5 million votes, after Russia the second largest showing for any Communist Party in the Group of Eight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Eight) nations. At the July 2007 elections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_House_of_Councillors_election,_2007) for the House of Councillors it received 7.5%.It has likewise survived several attacks, both from the Bourgeoisie forces and Moscow (the USSR twice tried to take over/destroy the JCP, via a series of spies first meant to subordinate it directly and then by having several JCP members turn extremely violent at inopportune times. )
http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/jps_weekly09/20090305_01.html
Opposition to Soviet hegemony is what the present JCP is about
When the Soviet power of hegemony collapsed 18 years ago, the JCP in a statement said it welcomed the end of a historical colossal evil that based itself on a great-power hegemonic ambition. In this statement, the JCP showed an outlook that the Soviet's collapse would pave the way for social progress in Japan and the rest of the world.
The JCP could issue such a statement in the face of the historic event because it had experienced 30 years of struggle against Soviet hegemony, which was a life-or-death struggle in defense of our sovereign independence as a political party representing the public interest.
In its attempt to put the Japanese people's movement under its control, the Soviet Union twice launched interference in the internal affairs of Japan.
In the 1950s, the JCP faced severe outside interference, which led to a party split. In the course of the effort to overcome this ordeal, the JCP established its policy of sovereign independence in order to decide on matters without foreign interference.
In the 1960s, the Soviet Union used all its state power to overthrow the JCP leadership that called for sovereign independence and to force the JCP to degenerate into a party subservient to the Soviet party. We managed to successfully defeat the Soviet attack.
The Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 and it attacked Afghanistan in 1979. In both cases, the JCP had no time to lose in criticizing the Soviet actions as outrages that had nothing in common with socialism.
The JCP waged these struggles for its own survival. Without these struggles, the JCP would not have been able to continue to exist. I want to express my deep thanks and respect to all the JCP predecessors who waged these struggles.It is telling to note that the JCP is still around and has been recently been gaining strength (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3218944/Japans-young-turn-to-Communist-Party-as-they-decide-capitalism-has-let-them-down.html) long after the dissolution of the USSR.
It is also telling to note that China has become the world's fastest growing economy after accepting the advice of the JCP.
Note- I do not agree with much of the politics of the JCP. They are not a Trotskyist organization, and do not seem to accept the doctrine of Permanent Revolution.
Nor however are they Stalinist since they are internationalist and democratic.
Nor are they Reformist, since they ultimately believe that capitalism must be replaced completely (the JCP defines "Revolution" more as a complete turning of the system, or an end point, not as a means. )
However they get results and furthermore in the most unlikely of places and have survived relentless machinations and repression by both sides before and during the Cold War: http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/23rd_congress/program.html
(3) Japanese imperialism in 1931 began a war of aggression in the Northeast of China and in 1937 started a total war of aggression against China, thus becoming the first aggressor nation to pave the way for World War II. In 1940, Japanese imperialism entered into a military alliance with the European fascist states, Italy and Germany, and in 1941 expanded its war of aggression beyond China into the whole of Asia and the Pacific, thus becoming a driving force for World War II.
The imperialist war and the tyranny by the power of the emperor system forced the people to endure hardships. JCP activities faced major difficulties and failures, but many JCP members, undaunted by persecution and imprisonment, fought against various kinds of betrayal and held fast to the banner of the JCP. A number of JCP members were killed in the repression.
At a time when all the other political parties together supported the war of aggression and political reaction, the JCP's dauntless struggle for peace and democracy was of great significance, which is imperishable in the cause of peace and democracy in Japan.
The war of aggression killed more than 20,000,000 people in other Asian countries as well as more than 3,000,000 Japanese people. In this war, Okinawa underwent a ground battle, and air raids throughout the country reduced many regions into ashes. In August 1945, U.S. forces dropped the world's first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 200,000 people (by the end of that year). The Japanese people became a people with tragic history of the nuclear attack engraved in their memory.
With the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan, which represented fascism and militarism, suffering setbacks throughout the world, Japanese imperialism in August 1945 was defeated and accepted the Potsdam Declaration. This was a declaration by the anti-fascist Allied Powers calling for militarism to be eliminated and for democracy to be established. It showed that the only way out for the Japanese people was to establish a peaceful and democratic Japan. This proved that the course followed undauntedly by the JCP had been basically appropriate.
In fact the original reason why democracy was outlawed in Japan was because Communists were gaining grounds first directly in elections and then indirectly by alliances with not yet outlawed groups:
The Peace Preservation Law of 1925 (治安維持法, Chian Iji Hō? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) was enacted on 12 May 1925, under the administration of Kato Takaaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kato_Takaaki), specifically against socialism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism), Communism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism), and anarchism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism). It was one of the most significant laws of pre-war Japan.
The main force behind the law was Minister of Justice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Justice_%28Japan%29) (and future Prime Minister) Hiranuma Kiichiro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiranuma_Kiichiro), although a strict law to control the activities of leftist radicals had wide support in the Diet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diet_of_Japan) and widespread popular support.
Anyone who has formed an association with altering the kokutai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokutai), or the system of private property, and anyone who has joined such an association with full knowledge of its object, shall be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour, for a term not exceeding ten years.
By using the highly vague and subjective term kokutai, the law attempted to blend politics and ethics, but the result was that any political opposition could be branded as “altering the kokutai”. Thus the government had carte blanche (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/carte_blanche) to outlaw any form of dissent.
Renewed activity by underground Japan Communist Party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Communist_Party) in 1928 led to the March 15 Incident (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_15_incident), in which police arrested more than 1,600 Communists and suspected Communists under the provisions of the Peace Preservation Law of 1925. The same year, the highly anti-Communist government of Tanaka Giichi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanaka_Giichi) pushed through an amendment to the law, raising the maximum penalty from ten years to death.
They had also taken large areas of various cities numerically in the ill-fated attempted Moscow uprising that ended up splitting the JCP and doing much damage to it for many decades. (the significance of this is not that they were set back, but that they had the numbers to almost take entire cities, even when half the leadership was against the notion. )
It is in many respects the closest any Communist Party has ever come to actual control of an advanced, industrialized nation since the Paris Commune was only 1 city, whereas the JCP almost took several major metropolitan areas.
So even if one disagrees with the JCP politically, there is no denying their results.
What can the left at large learn from their strategy?
Well from studying the JCP I can say the following seems to be among the reasons why they are so effective:
1- They work to create a strong ethic of altruism/charity:
The JCP works very hard to build ties with the local community and develop a reputation as an organization that actually helps poor people, the working class and proletariat instead of just giving lip-service to their troubles, and/or promising a better life under some future society.
It is well known that in Japan if you are in trouble you can go to the JCP for help. Even Government officials at various welfare offices will direct people to local JCP chapters if they feel unable to aid the claimant with respect to resolve an issue. Local JCP chapters will help proletariat with filing claims, paperwork, and even will make donations and act as a sort of charity to those who need help. This builds good will among the community and shows sincere intentions.
Organization ? create safety net for people's living conditions at grassroots level
The third point is our grassroots organizations. The JCP has about 400,000 members, 22,000 branches, and 3,000 local assembly members. No other political parties have such extensive grassroots organizations. What we are proud of is that our grassroots organizations carry out day-to-day activities to defend people's interests in communities and workplaces, by holding consultations on day-to-day living and labor issues.
"If you get in trouble, go to the JCP." This catchphrase is widely recognized in Japanese society today. Amid the current economic crisis, many people approach our party for advice. One said, "When I went to a local municipal office to seek support in solving the difficulties I am facing, I was told to go to the JCP." Another person said, "When I went to a police station to ask how to solve my multiple debts, I was told to go and ask the JCP."
The Asahi Shimbun carried a report entitled, "The JCP is there, ready to help those who were laid off." It described our activities as "the modern-day temple for the people to rush into." The South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh wrote, "As Japanese society's safety net is dismantled under the promotion of the neo-liberal policy of structural reform, the nationwide organizational network established by the JCP fulfills the role as the safety net for the weak in society." It is good for us to receive such positive attention, but at the same time, we recognize our responsibility is increasing to respond to and support those who are suffering from hardships.2- They are very liberal and democratically minded:
The JCP does not shrink from but both encourages and absolutely thrives on debate and criticism. This is because every member is expected to read Capital (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1636115,00.html) so they have a first hand knowledge of the intricacies of Marxist theory instead of just listening to what leadership tells them to believe.
This makes it so JCP members are rarely caught like a deer in the headlights when asked a question. In fact, because they do constant research with an open mind, and are extremely scientific, technosavvy and self-correcting they are usually far more capable of stumping opponents and making them look very ignorant on many manners.
Furthermore, the open, democratic spirit works well to negate fears of Stalinism and the idea that the JCP is simply interested in power over the welfare of people.
3- The JCP forges ties with other Communist groups- even ones they disagree with, and will even use/compromise more progressive elements of the bourgeoisie system.
The JCP makes extensive use of electoral politics, supports the UN, holds theoretical exchanges with China and Vietnam and has recently begun to reach out to the Communist Party of the United States:
http://www.cpusa.org/international-greetings-japanese-communist-party/
The Japanese Communist Party sends its sincere greetings to the National Convention of the Communist Party USA.
We hope your Convention makes an important contribution to advancing struggle to oppose poverty and joblessness, to improve people's living conditions and promote human rights, and to bring about better education, health care and social security services. We also hope it contributes to development of anti-nuclear and peace movements as well as grass-root movements aiming for a change in the U.S. military and foreign policy.
In other words, they are very honest about what is good or bad about another system, diplomatic, and willing to compromise, make strategic retreats and avoid petty squabbles over fine points of ideology which may amount to tactical gains that come at strategic loss.
In other words- they take a relativist as opposed to absolutist stance many other Communist Parties take. They do not say "Hey you are WRONG and hence as bad as the Bourgeoisie and like the devil and MUST change your mind or face the consequences comrade" but are more willing to discuss issues and work with groups that they disagree with for the greater good instead of engaging in in-group leftist drama.
A good example of this is when they sent delegates to China and Vietnam to work with them against the Iraq Invasion:
http://www.japan-press.co.jp/pdf/5thCC.pdf
Their basic policy is: http://www.jcp.or.jp/english/2009what_jcp.html
The JCP makes extensive efforts to establish friendship and exchanges with foreign political parties. Our basic position is that we will open our relations with any party if we share an interest in beginning mutual exchanges in accordance with the principles of sovereign independence, equal rights, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, regardless of whether that party is conservative or progressive, and whether it is a ruling party or an opposition party. Wherever and whenever there are conditions for us to take common action, we would like to do so in the cause of peace in Asia and the rest of the world.
As for relations with foreign governments, the JCP is making efforts to develop exchanges with them on the issues of peace and progress.
From this position, the JCP in the past several years visited the following countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, the Republic of Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Tunisia, Venezuela and Cuba. The JCP also attended the meetings of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the Summit Conference of the Non-Aligned Countries (guest) and the Organization of Islamic Countries (guest)4- The JCP does real ground breaking research exposing political corruption and corporate exploitation.
The JCP doesn't just parrot outdated slogans or old Marxist material like dogma. They have actual investigators go out and find out what is going on. In fact several corporate scandals were first reported by the JCP.
Whatever one makes of the JCP's politics, there is no denying the fact that they get results. And that is not to say they may not have gotten lucky, or maybe they have "favorable" conditions as such may undoubtedly play a role, but if one assumes a group at times can make its own luck, and its own conditions, it is worth looking into how they did it.
Perhaps there is something I am missing to it, some strategic plan or element the JCP has that I am not aware of. But overall I believe there is a lot the left can learn at large from the world's most successful Communist Party in all the First World Countries.