 Five parties agree to set up panel to discuss social programs Representatives of five ruling and opposition parties on March 25 agreed to set up a panel to discuss how to reform pension and welfare systems. Upper and Lower House members from the Liberal Democratic, Komei, Democratic, Japanese Communist, and Social Democratic parties will participate in the panel. JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said that the panel should not be based on the three-party agreement made by the LDP, Komei, and DPJ last May to pave the way for passage of the bill to adversely revise the pension system through the House of Representatives. Ichida also requested that the panel avoid making a decision by a majority vote or restricting Diet discussions. LDP Diet Policy Commission Chair Nakagawa Hidenao agreed with Ichida. In May last year, the LDP, Komei, and DPJ agreed on the need to review the social services, including the rates of premium payments and taxes as well as benefits. The JCP has criticized them for trying to make it easier to increase the consumption tax rate under the pretext that it is necessary to ensure that there are sufficient funds for social services, including the pension system. (end) |