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

4,000 elderly people attend annual convention

The 19th National Convention of Elderly People took place on November 15-16 in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. About 4,000 senior citizens resolved to stop the government measures that bully the elderly.

Shirai Atsuko (secretary general of the convention's organizing committee) reported that elderly citizens throughout the country are actively involved in movements opposing Prime Minister Koizumi's "structural reform" that adversely revises pensions, medical care, and nursing care insurance systems. She called for further activities to get rid of the uncertainty caused by cuts in welfare services and by massive increases in taxes.

Yasuda Akinari of the Victims' Network of the Great Hanshin Earthquake blamed the government and municipalities concerned for the failure to address the problem of elderly people's solitary deaths in temporary housing that still continues even after ten years after the disaster.

An 81-year-old pensioner who participated in the convention with members of the All Japan Pensioners' Union criticized the abolition of the taxable income deduction system for pensioners that brought about an increase in the nursing care insurance premiums and cuts in the amounts of pension payments. He said, "I can no longer remain silent."

National Convention of Elderly People

In 1987, the first convention was held in Kyoto City with the aim of increasing activities for senior citizens. Since then, the convention has been held every year to support solitary senior citizens and establish a society in which they can live with dignity in the cooperation of local communities. -- Akahata, November 16, 2005