ASANUMA Inejiro taking post of Secretary General representing Right Faction Members. From "Waga Genron Tosoroku"

Japan Socialist Party Right Faction Chairman KAWAKAMI Jotaro (left) shaking hands with Left Faction Chairman SUZUKI Mosaburo (right), with post of new Chairman of unified Party being taken by SUZUKI. From "Mainichi Gurafu no.285"

In 1951 (Showa 26), the Japan Socialist Party was divided into two factions -- the Right faction and the Left faction -- due to differences over the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. In April 1954 (Showa 29), the two factions announced a joint statement on linking up with each other. In January 1955 (Showa 30), the two factions began negotiations for unification. On 13 October, the two factions held the 12th meeting of the Japan Socialist Party and decided to join hands again, leading to their integration. This declaration paper was read out at the 12th meeting of the Japan Socialist Party. It was written by SHOBARA Toru, who headed the department of the Left faction of the Japan Socialist Party and was responsible for general affairs at that time.