  Voters are changing -- Akahata 'Current' column, March 30, 2005We cannot but keep an eye on local assembly elections being held following municipality mergers, because Japanese Communist Party candidates are elected in single-seat or two-seat constituencies. A veteran political journalist stated, "This shows that people are abandoning the logic of Nagatacho (where the Japanese parliament is located)." Following the enactment of the national budget for fiscal 2005, parliamentary discussions between the two major parties became very questionable. "How appalling it is to see discussions taking place only in form! We must question ourselves if the two-party system is really good or not," a local newspaper editorial said: This criticism is directed at the political mudslinging between the two parties concerning political scandals and a lack of confrontation over issues of the pension system and other social programs and constitutional revision. Many people are critical not only of the ruling LDP for debasing itself but also of the Democratic Party of Japan which declared itself as a non-opposition party. It's surprising to hear a DPJ Dietmember in a speech in his constituency state, "Some say that all we should do is grill the governing party. That's fine. But Prime Minister Koizumi in parliament refuses to answer. As the DPJ is not in the majority, it is impossible to summon witnesses to the Diet." That's capitulation to the ruling majority. After the DPJ lawmaker's speech, a participant said, "The Japanese Communist Party claims that the increase in consumption tax revenue has been used to reduce the corporate tax. Corporations are making large profits. This must change." This was how the participant called into question the DPJ policy of counting on a consumption tax increase. Some see the JCP's victories in single-seat or two-seat constituencies as a signal that the "two-party system" can be defeated. This is a reminder that paying too much attention to Nagatacho politicking will only narrow your vision. (end) |