Abe government's foundation fragile: JCP Shii

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

Abe government's foundation fragile: JCP Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo characterized the newly formed Abe government as "narrow in its width and shallow in its depth" at a press conference on September 28.

Asked by the reporters to comment on the opinion polls showing that 60 to 70 percent of respondents had expressed their support for the Abe cabinet, Shii said, "The rate is lower than the polls conducted when the Koizumi cabinet was formed. There is no enthusiasm that was felt at that time."

Shii stated, "As conservatives, the Liberal Democratic Party used to include various political currents. In that situation, when the LDP failed to hold onto government power, it was able to replace its leader with another to take over. But, in the recent LDP presidential election, most LDP members followed Abe by giving him a landslide victory."

Shii pointed out that the cabinet is occupied by Abe's close friends, including members of the Japan Conference, a right wing organization calling for constitutional revision, as well as standard-bearers for the revision of the Fundamental Law of Education.

Shii stated, "The new cabinet has only Abe's imprint. If this cabinet fails, the LDP has no alternative to replace it."

Pointing to the dangerous nature of the Abe cabinet calling for revision of the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education, Shii said, "Despite its appearance, the Abe government has a fragile foundation. We will carry out struggles in the Diet to foil Abe's dangerous schemes by exploiting its vulnerability."

He stressed the significance of the opposition parties' agreement to oppose the government bill to revise the Fundamental Law of Education, and said, "I believe it is important for opposition party leaders to meet in order to confirm the agreement."
- Akahata, September 29, 2006