Lower House passes 2002 additional budget draft

Despite the four opposition parties' objections, the ruling coalition used its majority to get a draft fiscal 2002 supplementary budget passed in the House of Representatives on January 28. The bill has been sent to the House of Councilors.

Yajima Tsuneo, Japanese Communist Party Lower House member, pointed out that the draft budget is premised on the acceleration of banks' bad-loan cleanups, which will destroy more smaller businesses and increase unemployment. He also criticized the draft for making the financial situation even worse by promoting traditional large-development public works projects.

Yajima demanded that the supplementary budget be directed to help improve citizens' livelihoods and businesses, and encourage them to spend money. (end)