JCP proposes review of dam construction

The Japanese Communist Party has proposed a fundamental review of dam construction projects throughout the country as part of its longstanding demand for a change in government policy for public works projects.

At a news conference on July 19 JCP Policy Commission Chair Fudesaka Hideyo published the proposal, worked out by the JCP Dietmembers' project team based on its research on 22 local projects.

Fudesaka said that JCP research has found that current dam constructions projects in most cases have lost the initial purpose of irrigation and other projects to harness water in the wilderness. He also pointed out that some projects are under way in an irrational manner without listening to voices of local residents, and are inviting the risk of causing natural disasters.

The six-point proposal includes an immediate halt to meaningless projects, and the creation of a project assessment system with local residents participating. This will help correct the structure which has allowed cozy relations to continue between politics, bureaucracy, and the construction industry. (end)