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

JCP criticizes DPJ's call for Lower House seat cut

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on August 21 criticized the Democratic Party of Japan for seeking to cut the number of House of Representatives proportional representation seats by 80 to 100. "This is a very dangerous move that aims to destroy parliamentary democracy, and increases our indignation," he said at a news conference in Nagoya City.

The DPJ has proposed the seat cut as its foremost priority in its election campaign.

Shii pointed out that the 180 seats for the Lower House proportional representation constituencies is the only component that reflects voters' diverse opinions, while the prescribed 300 seats from single-seat constituencies distorts popular opinions in favor of major parties trying to crowd out the JCP and other minor parties. He said, "The DPJ plan reveals that it wants minor parties to be destroyed."

The DPJ on August 20 published the party's "Eight Public Promises to Renovate Japan." -- Akahata August 22, 2005