Opposition parties close ranks to stop increase in insured patients' payment of medical costs

Four opposition parties in a joint news conference on February 27 announced that they will work in concert to freeze the plan to impose a heavier burden of medical expenses on the people.

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, Liberal, and Social Democratic parties agreed on the need to help increase public opinion calling for a freeze on the planned increase in the insured patients' share of burden for medical costs to 30 percent from the present 20 percent. They also decided to hold a joint rally on March 3 in the Lower House building.

They confirmed that in the Diet deliberations they will continue to take up money scandals in which ministers and the prime minister are involved.

The opposition parties will cooperate to pursue the justice minister's responsibility in relation to abuses against prisoners by Nagoya Prison's officers, and will jointly call on the new Bank of Japan governor to express his views on the Japanese economy in advance of the Diet approval of his duty. (end)