PRESS CONFERENCE
Kazuo Shii,
Executive Committee Chairperson, Japanese Communist Party

The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

As the clock ticks down towards the election attention is being paid not just to the two biggest parties but also to the possible role the smaller parties could have in the new government.

With around 3.6 percent support the Japan Communist Party is tied for third place among the parties and could hold influence with the next government. Leader Kazuo Shii, speaking at the debate on Monday, both indicated a willingness to support the DPJ on some issues but stood against a FTA with the U.S.

Shii will be at the FCCJ on Friday to provide a more detailed explanation of his party's policies, his expectations and hopes for the election and answer your questions.

Kazuo Shii, Executive Committee Chairperson, Japanese Communist Party