Small producers and traders rally in Tokyo to end recession-ridden politics

Over 1,200 small producers and traders on February 6 attended a rally in Tokyo in protest against Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's misgovernment which has caused the deepest ever recession affecting jobs and regional economies.

Participants demonstrated their anger at the government policy of write-offs of bad loans held by major banks, as the policy allows major banks to monopolize performing loans at the expense of local credit unions and smaller businesses.

A representative from Tokyo's Ota Ward, where there are many small businesses, said, "A government that wants local credit unions and smaller businesses to go out of business must be replaced." (end)