Koizumi's social services reform will only worsen people's living conditions- --Akahata editorial, August 21, 2001 (Excerpts)

In its standard set out for its budget request for FY 2002, the Koizumi Cabinet calls for cuts in funds for social services.

Even though one trillion yen is needed to cover a consequent increase in social services budget accounts to maintain the present funding levels for social programs, the cabinet calls for only a 700 billion yen increase, amounting to a 300 billion yen cut.

The plan is under way while the people are suffering from the worst ever rate of joblessness, corporate failures, and wage reductions. Therefore, the people want the government to give top priority to welfare-related steps.

However, the Koizumi cabinet is trying to cut social services in the name of "reform." Clearly, Koizumi's call for "structural reform to be compounded by pains" has nothing to do with safeguarding the people's lives. It should rather be called "cold-blooded politics."

The medical insurance system is the first target of the 300 billion yen reduction plan starting next year, if the plan is implemented, elderly people will have to pay 20% of their medical charges, doubling the 10% payment system introduced from January, 2001; wage workers must pay 30% of such charges.

Now is the time to launch a nationwide campaign to block a major adverse revision of the medical system.

It must be noted that a series of adverse revisions of medical care and other social services will add to public anxieties about the future, and ruin the nation's social security system.

If the government only urges the people to pay more, it will inevitably make Japan's social services unsustainable.

The JCP stresses that such an upside-down budget must be fundamentally reversed; the majority of taxpayers' money must be used for social services. Japan's social security-related official expenditure is too low: only 3.4% of GDP, while 7.4% is used in Germany, 6.1% in France, and 12.4% in Britain.

Only in this way, will the people be free from anxiety and have access to qualify lifestyles in their old age. (end)