How come Abe can call this country 'beautiful'?: JCP Ichida

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

How come Abe can call this country 'beautiful'?: JCP Ichida

"How can this country be called a 'beautiful' country in disregard of the widening social gap, increasing poverty, and regressive taxes?" Referring to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's recent book "Toward a Beautiful Country," Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi criticized Abe's policies at the House of Councilors Plenary Session on October 4.

View of history

In reply to JCP Chair Shii Kazuo's questions at the House of Representatives Plenary Session on October 3, Abe refused to state his own view of history saying, "Politicians should be humble in talking about their understanding of history."

Quoting this remark, Ichida stated, "No prime minister is allowed to evade the issue of this view of the past war."

In light of the fact that the unambiguous judgment about and remorse for the war of aggression waged by Japan, Germany, and Italy laid the foundation of the postwar international order and provided the starting point for postwar Japan, Ichida stated, "To be truly humble, politicians must sincerely admit past mistakes."

Ichida stated, "The most important point we should keep in mind in determining whether or not a war was a war of aggression is if the war was aimed at territorial expansion and domination over other nations." Ichida asked Abe if he shares Yasukuni Shrine's historical view that regards Japan's past wars as "just and noble wars waged for the liberation of Asia."

In reply Abe stated, "I don't know if the shrine holds such a view as you mentioned," and added, "politicians must be humble in talking about specific historical views."

Education

Criticizing Abe's "educational reform" policy of pitting public schools against each other and screening out schools with poor performances, Ichida stated, "How can the government provide adequate compulsory education by removing public schools from local communities?"

Abe insisted that an external evaluation system needs to be introduced into school education.

Living conditions

Criticizing Abe's policy speech calling for "a society of opportunity where everyone has a chance to challenge again," Ichida stated, "This is nothing but an empty catchphrase."

In order to prevent further increases in non-regular workers, Ichida urged Abe "to at least reinstate the rules governing working conditions that have been abandoned." Abe, however, justified the "structural reform" policy saying that this was necessary in helping jobseekers to choose the work as they like.

Ichida criticized the government for bullying the general public by increasing regressive taxes while benefiting large corporations and the rich with lower tax rates. He urged Abe to cancel or freeze imposing heavier burdens on the public and thoroughly review the tax breaks for corporations and higher income earners.

Ichida stated, "Japan now is full of people who have lost hope for receiving adequate medical care and young people who have lost hope for their future. How can Prime Minister Abe call Japan a 'beautiful country'?"

In conclusion, Ichida strongly called for replacing the economic policy of serving large corporations with one of serving the general public.
- Akahata, October 5, 2006