JCP in Diet will take up public expectations and concerns for new government as well as demands for new direction in politics

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP in Diet will take up public expectations and concerns for new government as well as demands for new direction in politics

The first Extraordinary Session of the Diet under the new government opened on October 26. Earlier in the day, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo spoke at the JCP Dietmembers’ Assembly and expressed his determination to work hard as a member of an opposition party constructively engaging with the new government.

He said that the JCP will do its utmost to solve problems in a forward-looking manner regarding public expectations for political change, uncertainties about the new government’s policies, and people’s quest for new politics.

Shii said that in response to people’s “expectations for political change,” the JCP is called upon to help them develop their struggles and to participate in Diet deliberations based on reason, in order to pave the way for realizing the demands of the public.

Referring to the discriminatory health insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and older, Shii stressed the need to oppose a minister’s declaration that the abolition will be delayed. He said that its immediate abolition and restoration of the previous system is essential.

Regarding people’s “uncertainties” about the new government, Shii said that the new government’s vision of a new Japan is unclear even though many people are waiting for one to be announced, and that the JCP in the Diet will point out any problems and inconsistence in government policies.

He said, “The government’s 95 trillion-yen budget plan for FY2010 makes the fiscal issue the biggest concern of the public,” and criticized the government for setting inappropriate budget priorities, seeking to have the general public pay more in taxes, and being reluctant to cut the military budget and end tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthy. These are points that only the JCP is willing to bring up for debate, he added.

Criticizing the government for its weak-kneed policy on the existing plan to construct a U.S. Marine Corps air base in Okinawa, Shii stated that the task now is for the government to stand firm in negotiating with the U.S.

If the new government really wants to improve the situation in Okinawa and elsewhere, it will have to take decisive steps to end the “two undemocratic policies” of giving priority to defending the interests of the financial circles and the continuation of the Japan-U.S. military alliance, Shii said.

Pointing out that it is essential to make a new Japan in which the people are key players, Shii called on JCP Dietmembers to make further efforts to pursue and realize public demands in cooperation with grassroots movements.

- Akahata, October 27, 2009