Shii criticizes Aso’s policy speech and calls for drastic changes in policies

Japan Press Weekly

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Shii criticizes Aso’s policy speech and calls for drastic changes in policies

While the opposition Democratic Party and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are engaging in a blame game apparently with a general election in mind, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo used his question time in the House of Representatives on October 2 to criticize Prime Minister Aso Taro’s policy speech and to call for drastic changes that will create policies that put people before anything else.

Working poor

Shii specified a number of cases in which contingent workers are ill-treated at large corporations like Toyota Motor Corp., where a large number of temporary workers were dismissed this summer on short notice. He also cited another case in which a whistleblower that exposed the illegal use of temporary workers disguised as independent contractors was fired. Shii said, “Mr. Prime Minister, do you think that the government can continue to remain silent when large corporations are using contingent workers as disposable labor or as adjustment valves?

Aso answered, “The government will provide guidance for large corporations and other users of temporary workers to secure jobs for such workers.”

Healthcare insurance program for elderly aged 75 and over

Pointing out that people are infuriated by the very premise of the new health insurance system that excludes senior citizens from the existing health insurance program, Shii demanded that the program in question be abolished. He said, “You cannot diminish public anxieties with cheap tricks.”

The prime minister said, “Abolishing the program would not be the solution.”

Shii further demanded that the government cancel the plan to hold down the growth of expenditures on social services by 220 billion yen each year. Aso refused to discontinue the cuts by stating, “We will stay the course.”

Resources for social welfare services

In order to secure the resources for social services without depending on a higher consumption tax rate, Shii proposed eliminating wasteful expenditures, including cuts in the five-trillion yen military expenditure and by forcing large corporations and the wealthy to pay more in tax using a progressive tax system.

Aso said, “The consumption tax is an important revenue source to support a sustainable social security system,” and rejected Shii’s call for cuts in the military budget and abolition of subsidies to political parties. “They are indispensable expenses,” the prime minister said.

Food and agriculture

On the need to increase the country’s self-sufficiency in food, Shii suggested that the government guarantee producer prices, compensate family farmers’ incomes, and stop importing foreign produce without restrictions.

Aso said that an income compensation system is backward looking. He said nothing about restricting imports.

Shii stressed that it is necessary for the Japanese economy to shift focus to depend on domestic demand instead of foreign demand and put greater emphasis on improving the household economy rather than the profits of large corporations in order to pave the way for the healthy economic development of the nation.

Shii stated that LDP policies are extraordinarily subservient to large corporations and the United States and are causing anxieties and suffering. He concluded his speech by stating, “The JCP will open the way for a Japan that puts people first, guided by the Constitution.” - Akahata, October 3, 2008