JCP Sasaki demands that prime minister end unfair policies benefiting large corporations

   Japanese Communist Party representative Sasaki Kensho on October in the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting criticized Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo for adopting an unfair tax policy favoring large corporations and for tolerating an increase in non-regular employment.

   Sasaki demanded that Fukuda end policies benefiting large corporations unfairly that have caused the increase in poverty and social gaps.

   Citing specific cases of elderly people whose burdens of taxes and social insurance premiums combined have tripled or quadrupled, Sasaki asked Fukuda how he will deal with such harsh burdens imposed on the general public.

   Fukuda justified the heavier burdens by stating, “Resources are limited,” and even hinted at an increase in the consumption tax rate, stating, “Before the House of Councilors election, we already called for discussions on the entire taxation system that includes the consumption tax.”

   Sasaki pointed out that large corporations are enjoying corporate tax breaks while making current profits twice as much as that during the period of the bubble economy. He indicated that resources of five trillion yen can be made available immediately if the government just restores the corporate tax rate of ten years ago.

   Fukuda, however, stated, “The government must take into account the situation in which corporations are trying to survive international competition and consider the balance of burdens on them and the public.”

   “The government must impose fair burdens on large corporations,” Sasaki demanded.

   Sasaki also demanded the abolition of the preferential tax breaks on profits from securities that only benefit the wealthy, but Fukuda took an evasive attitude without giving a clear answer.

   Sasaki pointed out that large corporations are making record-high profits at the cost of ever increasing numbers of low-income, non-regular workers.

   Fukuda replied, “The increase in non-regular employment is a result of diversification of values and working styles in society.”

   Sasaki stated, “The government should restore the principle that the direct employment without a term of contract is the basic rule to be observed.” In particular, he demanded that the government prohibit staffing agencies from dispatching day laborers because of inhumane working conditions.

- Akahata, October 11, 2007