JCP Chair urges the government to change its attitude toward budget policies

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP Chair urges the government to change its attitude toward budget policies

The FY 2008 budget bill became law on March 28 after the House of Representatives exercised its constitutional right to override the rejection by the House of Councilors where opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties, are the majority.

Criticizing the enactment of the budget at a news conference later in the day, the JCP Chair Shii Kazuo said, “The government budget is in tatters as its measures are proved to be failing. It will not only harm Japan’s economy in general, but will only increase the poverty rate and worsen the living conditions.”

Shii criticized the government for not trying to reverse the policy of cutting the annual natural growth of 220 billion yen. He said that the government is attempting to forcibly introduce an outrageous adverse medical-care system for the elderly aged 75 and older to force them to pay more even while acknowledging how difficult it is to do so..

Concerning the gasoline and other auto-related taxes, Shii criticized Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo for forcing passage of the budget which he admits is a failure, while offering to use the gas tax revenue for general purposes from April 1, 2009.

Referring to the so-called “sympathy budget” which Japan provides to fund for the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, Shii said, “The government is unable to explain why Japan has to use tax money for the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan.”

“The JCP will continue to demand a drastic change in the government’s political direction.”

- Akahata, March 29, 2008