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

To shift from the dog-eat-dog politics
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

A Koizumi Cabinet's council for promotion of "a society with diverse opportunities," chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe Shinzo, will compile an interim report this month.

The Koizumi Cabinet has been pushing ahead with its "structural reform" policy, claiming that it creates a society to provide failed people and businesses with another chance. At this final phase after five years in office, the Cabinet is still repeating the same argument, because the government can no longer disregard the loss of "opportunities" caused by widening disparities between the rich and the poor.

According to Chair Abe, policy recommendations discussed at the council do not challenge "structural reform."

The "structural reform" policy has created a handful of "winners" and an overwhelming majority of "losers."

A survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that Japan ranks fifth from the top in terms of the relative poverty rate that takes into account the quality of life in each country.

More than one million households live on welfare programs. People who earn less than the income level eligible for the relief increased to 15.7 percent in 2002 from 11.2 percent in 1996. It is obvious that poverty has become a grave problem in Japan in absolute terms as well as in the international comparison.

The number of regular employees has fallen four million in the past decade and that of non-regular employees has risen by six million. Non-regular employment is especially prevalent among young people, accounting for half of them being non-regular employees. Once they become non-regular employees, it will be very hard for them to get a regular position.

The rate of companies going out of businesses has jumped since the inauguration of the Koizumi Cabinet. In sharp contrast, establishment of new businesses is sluggish. The percentage of business closures greatly surpasses that of business start-ups, making up the largest ever gap between them. This is the result of the "structural reform" policy that had battered local economies.

The reality of employment and business environment questions, "Where on earth are there chances to try again?"

The Koizumi Cabinet has argued, "Only deregulation can provide equal opportunity," and has eased the regulations of employment while encouraging personnel cuts and corporate restructuring by deregulating corporate laws.

What this deregulation brought about is nothing but "chances" and "freedom" for business circles and large corporations.

Unless putting an end to this "structural reform" policy to make the stronger prey upon the weaker, "a variety of opportunities" for the public will further diminish.
- Akahata, May 8, 2006