Four opposition parties agree to join forces in next session of parliament

Representatives of the Japanese Communist Party and three other opposition parties met on January 16 to discuss issues they will focus on in the effort to block the Koizumi Cabinet's undemocratic policies in the next session of the Diet.

The ordinary Diet Session for 2003 was to start on January 20.

After the discussion, the four parties (JCP, Democratic Party of Japan, Liberal Party, and Social Democratic Party) decided to consider submitting a draft bill to freeze the implementation of the law to increase company employees' share of medical costs from the current 20 percent to 30 percent starting April 1st.

They also agreed to discuss submitting a joint proposal for strengthening job creation measures in the government budget and consider demanding that the fiscal 2003 national budget be redrafted in order to reduce working people's tax burdens.

Fudesaka Hideyo, JCP Policy Commission chair, in the meeting pointed out that a broad range of organizations, including the Japan Medical Association and the Japan Dental Association, are opposed to the adverse revision of the health insurance system and stressed the need to support develop joint struggles by popular movements and the opposition parties. (end)