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Special Session of the Diet ends

The Special Diet session ended on November 1.

Earlier in the day, the Japanese Communist Party held its Dietmembers meeting.

JCP Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo in his speech reviewed the 42-day session and said,"The JCP as the only real opposition party has played an important role in the Diet discussions."

He stressed the significance of the JCP's efforts related to the health problems caused by exposure to asbestos and on the postal privatization bills. The JCP put up a struggle against the plan to increase the consumption tax rate, and the bill to debilitate self-help of disabled people, while the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan were competing for further cutbacks in the name of reform.

Shii said that public calls for a review of the tax are increasing because it forces the public to shoulder heavier burdens while giving large corporations tax breaks. He also noted that further cooperation is developing to stop a major tax increase, constitutional revisions, and the "transformation" of the Japan-U.S. alliance into a more aggressive system.

Pointing out that the Japan-U.S. alliance is taking on a global role, that Japan is being militarily integrated with the United States, and that functions of U.S. military bases in Japan are being strengthened, Shii emphasized, "The existence of the JCP and its role have become more important than ever in maintaining the peace as a party struggling for abrogation of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty."

He expressed his determination to confront Koizumi's new cabinet head-on when it seeks further cutbacks in public services as well as constitutional revisions based on the Yasukuni Shrine's view of history, and called on all JCP Dietmembers to make efforts to increase people's movements in various areas and take the initiative in expanding the party strength. -- Akahata, November 2, 2005