health2

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

'Self-support' bill won't support us: blind persons

On October 21, when the House of Representatives started discussing the 'self-support' bill that will force disabled persons to pay 10 percent of the costs for services, 15 blind persons staged a four-hour protest sit-in in front of the Diet.

Participants criticized the bill as a measure to cut subsidies for the use of helpers' "guide" services when they need to go out. "The bill will discourage us from going out and isolate us from society. The government should not cut welfare services under the pretext of 'self-support'," they said.

At the Lower House committee meeting held on the same day to discuss the bill, Japanese Communist Party member Kasai Akira demanded that the government stop introducing the system that forces users to pay according to "benefits" they receive instead of according to the ability to pay.

He stressed that the system, if introduced, will add to disabled persons' uncertainties.

A Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare director emphasized that the bill will allow every disabled people to use the system as a basic rule without having to hesitate to do so.

Asking the official if the present system of payment according to ability to pay has made them feel reluctant to use the services, Kasai denounced the ministry official for completely lacking understanding of the spirit of public welfare for disabled persons.

Kasai read a letter from a 13-year old wheelchair user in Ehime Prefecture who collected 5,000 signatures in opposition to the bill within two weeks.

The JCP lawmaker stated, "Isn't it government responsibility to let the public know the reality of disabled persons and to take steps in support of their social well being?" -- Akahata, October 22, 2005