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

Bill to force disabled persons to pay more for services enacted in the name of 'self-support'

The controversial bill to collect 10 percent of costs from users for services provided to disabled persons was enacted on October 31 after it was approved by the House of Representatives.

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties voted against the so-called "self-support promotion law."

Speaking on behalf of the JCP at the House of Representatives against the bill, Kasai Akira pointed out that if this is enacted, persons with severe handicaps will find it even more difficult to use the services and that "it will hamper the promotion of disabled persons' self-support and their participation in social activities and will deny their basic human rights." -- Akahata, November 1, 2005