Shii criticizes Aso for stating doctors lack common sense

Japan Press Weekly

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

Shii criticizes Aso for stating doctors lack common sense

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo criticized Prime Minister Aso Taro for his remarks that “there are many (doctors) who lack common sense.”

Aso made the remark when he commented on the shortage of doctors at regional hospitals at a meeting on November 19 with prefectural governors.

At a news conference on November 20, Shii said, “Without reflection over the shortage of doctors that the government created, it is unforgivable to imply that doctors are responsible for the issue.”

Pointing out that most doctors are striving to protect patients’ health and lives while being forced to work long hours, he stated, “It must be said that such a heartless remark shows the prime minister’s lack of willingness to accept any political responsibility to sincerely deal with and overcome the situation regarding the shortage of doctors.”

Japan Medical Association President Karasawa Yoshihito on November 20 visited the Prime Minister’s Office to submit a statement criticizing the prime minister’s remark.

The statement expressed, “The thoughtless remark made by the head of the national government, showing lack of his understanding of the matter, is an insult to the tenacious efforts by doctors who are trying to protect medical systems under harsh conditions.”

On the same day, the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-iren) also issued a statement in protest against Aso’s remark, stressing that it is not worthy as a prime minister of a nation.

The statement pointed out that the shortage of doctors was created by the government and ruling parties with their policy of restricting the number of doctors for over 20 years in order to save on medical costs.

- Akahata, November 21, 2008