Pensioners in rally express anger at heavier burdens

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Pensioners in rally express anger at heavier burdens

Angry because of heavier burdens, 2,500 pensioners on October 18 took part in a rally held at Hibiya Amphitheatre in Tokyo and marched in demonstration shouting, "Stop massive tax hikes! Create a pension system guaranteeing a minimum standard of living!"

Rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins, and signature collection campaigns with the same demands took place throughout Japan on the same day in concerted actions called "Pensioners' revolt 2006" organized by the Japan Pensioners' Union.

Union Chair Mori Nobuyuki in his speech said, "This is a time for our union to rise up. Let's work hard to increase public opinion in support of the urgent demands to stop massive tax increases and to create a pension system guaranteeing a minimum standard of living."

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Koike Akira, National Confederation of Trade Union (Zenroren) Vice-President Shibata Masako, and Central Council for Promotion of Social Security Secretary General Yamada Minoru spoke in solidarity.

Sekiguchi Naosuke, an 81-year-old participant who is concerned about the large increase in medical treatment fees for his wife who has heart disease (due to the adverse reform of the medical services) said, "I feel very encouraged to see so many people taking part in this rally."

Yanagisawa Tatsuo, 73 years old, is angry at the government policy of increasing the residential tax and nursing-care insurance premiums by which his income this year will come down from last year by 137,000 yen. He said, "I will not allow the government to increase taxes or cut pension benefits."
- Akahata, October 19, 2006