JCP chair questions prime minister’s moral standards

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP chair questions prime minister’s moral standards

At news conference on October 23, asked by reporters to comment on Prime Minister Aso Taro’s frequent visits to luxurious restaurants and members-only bars, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said, “It is unacceptable behavior.”

Shii pointed out that the prime minister is behaving like this at a time when government policies are forcing young people to work as “disposable labor,” when the elderly are experiencing hardships caused by cutbacks in social services, including the introduction of a discriminatory health insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and over, and when farmers and small- and medium sized businesses are suffering from financial difficulties.

Shii also said, “When the government is forcing the public to endure financial hardships, the government leader should consider behaving in a morally moderate manner. Prime Minister Aso’s behavior is beyond moderation. His behavior reveals that he is not concerned about ordinary people’s difficulties.”

- Akahata, October 24, 2008