JCP expresses opposition to extension of Diet session to enact bill to resume SDF refueling mission

   On December 13, after attending the secretary generals’ meeting of the ruling and opposition parties, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi in a press conference explained the JCP stance on three proposals put forth in the meeting by the Liberal Democratic Party: (i) a revision of the Political Funds Control Law, (ii) a “national conference on social welfare” to be established out of the Diet, and (iii) re-extension of the current Diet session.

On revision of the Political Funds Control Law

   The JCP has already expressed disapproval of the plan to revise the Political Funds Control Law, which all other parties have agreed on.

   Ichida pointed out three reasons the JCP is opposed to the plan: (i) expenditures less than 50,000 yen from government subsidies will remain undisclosed; (ii) establishment of a third-party institution to check the usage of political funds is not the same as disclosure to the public and may open the way for interference in political activities; and (iii) problems regarding the inflow of political funds through corporate and organizational donations and government subsidies have never been discussed though the JCP has strongly called for it.

On establishment of a ‘national conference on social welfare’

   Ichida expressed opposition to the establishment of a “national conference on social welfare” by saying, “The ruling parties are planning to make the consumption tax the main resource to finance social welfare programs. In this situation, the establishment of the so-called ‘national conference’ is highly likely to pave the way for hikes in the consumption tax.”

   Social welfare issues can and should be discussed in various Diet committee meetings, Ichida pointed out.

On extension of current Diet session

   The ruling parties are insisting on the need to enact the new anti-terrorism special measures bill under the guise of an “international contribution.” However, Ichida said, “The reality in Afghanistan has proved that war cannot eradicate terrorism. The need is to make efforts for lasting peace.”

   Ichida went on to say, “The JCP has been opposed to the new special measures bill from the beginning. Of course, we are opposed to the extension of the current Diet session aimed at enacting the bill at any cost. If an extraordinary session of the Diet is extended to the next year, it will be for the first time, shedding light on the ruling parties’ extraordinary and outrageous Diet management.”
- Akahata, December 14, 2007