Shii criticizes PM Abe's policy speech

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Shii criticizes PM Abe's policy speech

Asked by reporters to comment on Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's policy speech in the Diet on January 26, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo stated, "His speech said nothing in response to the earnest demands of the public."

Shii criticized Abe, stating, "He has said nothing about the growing 'social gap' or 'poverty'. While 'working poor' has become a major social problem and poverty and the social gap have been increasing, he showed no way to solve this problem nor even expressed concern about it."

Referring to the fact that Abe gave only two lines in his speech to the political funding issue, Shii stated, "He showed no willingness to find out the truth and accept responsibility for appointing those ministers who have been involved in the scandals, including that of the suspicious fund reports on office expenditures."

Shii pointed out that Abe clearly showed enthusiasm for an increase in the consumption tax rate, tax cuts in the interest of business circles, and the enactment in the current Diet session of a national referendum bill to pave the way for the adverse revision of the Constitution.

Stressing that these policies go against the desire of the overwhelming majority of the public, Shii stated, "The JCP will squarely confront the Abe Cabinet in defense of the living standards of the public and Japan's peace and democracy."
- Akahata, January 27, 2007