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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

A marginal majority vote in Lower House reflects citizens' strong criticism: JCP Shii

Following passage of the postal privatization bills through the House of Representatives on July 5, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo held a press conference and said, "The approval by a slim majority of votes shows how strong the public criticism of the bills is. The JCP will do its utmost to scrap the bills after a thorough discussion in the House of Councilors."

Citing a recent poll showing that nearly 70 percent of respondents expressed opposition to the bulldozing through of the postal bills in the current Diet session, Shii stressed, "It reflects the severe public criticism of Prime Minister Koizumi for trying to have the bills enacted at any cost."

Shii said that citizens are afraid of losing the national network of post offices as well as the convenient postal savings and post office life insurance programs. "The more the Diet discusses the bills, the more such concerns are deepened," he said, adding, "We will bring up every problem in the Upper House discussion."

The JCP chair finally stated, "The prime minister and the government should sincerely accept the meaning of the Lower House vote. They must be held responsible for submitting bills that undermine citizens' interests." - Akahata, July 6, 2005