3 opposition parties close ranks against pension cut bill

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties have agreed to close ranks to foil a bill to adversely revise the pension system in the House of Councilors.

Diet policy commission chairs of the three opposition parties reached the consensus in a meeting on May 26.

At a press conference, JCP Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji said that the Diet discussion revealed that the government explanation of the pension premiums and benefits had been inaccurate. He stressed that a majority of the people want the government to withdraw the bill and start again from scratch.

Kokuta stated, "The pension issue will be the focal point in the second half of the current Diet session. The JCP will do its utmost to get the pension cut bill scrapped." (end)