protest

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350,000 signatures submitted to the Diet

Representatives of democratic organizations, including medical-related organizations, petitioned the Diet and the government on April 12, calling for opposition to the adverse revision of the Constitution and the medical insurance system, and proposed tax increases. With 350,000 signatures supporting the demands, doctors and nurses petitioned lawmakers of various parties to defend the national health care system.

About 450 people took part in a meeting held in front of the Dietmembers Office Building by the "Cut Military Expenditure and Improve Welfare and Education" People's Big Movement organizing committee, the Central Council for Promotion of Social Security, and others.

On April 6, the Diet began discussing "reform" bills that will weaken the universal medical insurance system by forcing elderly people and those seriously ill to pay more.

A representative of the Japanese Medical and Dental Practitioners for Improvement of Medical Care stated, "Recent media reports show that public criticism is increasing against the widening social gap. Let's block the adverse revision with all our strength."

Nihi Sohei, Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors, reported on the Diet situation.

A member of the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions reported that some local hospitals find it difficult to fill the vacancy of doctors. Another reported that advertisement posters will be put up on Osaka Belt Line trains to call for opposition to the bad bills.

House of Councilors member Koike Akira of the Japanese Communist Party said, "Many medical organizations, including the Japan Nursing Association and the Japan Pharmaceutical Association (JPA), are increasing their opposition to the adverse revision of the medical laws because it will destroy the basis of Japan's medical service system. They have high expectations for the JCP as they make efforts to foil the revision."

A member of the Japan Federation of Medical Workers' Unions warned, "Revising the medical laws will discourage low-income earners from visiting doctors."
- Akahata, April 13, 2006