Four inconsistencies of DPJ-led government revealed: Shii

Japan Press Weekly

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

Four inconsistencies of DPJ-led government revealed: Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said at a press conference on November 5 that Diet discussions have revealed four inconsistencies in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government which are contrary to citizens’ expectations and which contradict previous DPJ statements.

The first inconsistency is in regard to the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa. Although the DPJ called for the Futenma base to be relocated to either outside the prefecture or the nation, Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya stated at the November 4 House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting that relocating the base outside Okinawa was not part of the DPJ’s election platform. Pointing out that it is irresponsible for Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio to accept this remark made by his cabinet member, Shii stressed that the JCP maintains its strong demand that the DPJ-led government negotiate with the U.S. in accordance with Okinawans’ demand for base removal.

The second inconsistency pointed out by Shii is the medical insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and older. The DPJ originally called for the system to be abolished as it submitted a bill in this regard jointly with three other opposition parties to the Diet last year. However, the prime minister said that he intends to keep the system until a new system is established.

In response the JCP’s question regarding why the DPJ has changed its stance toward the abolition of the medical system, Hatoyama answered that it is to avoid confusion. Pointing out that the greatest confusion was caused by the establishment of the system that discriminates against the elderly based on their age, the JCP chair called for its swift abolition.

The third is the “politics and money” issue involving Prime Minister Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ozawa Ichiro. Shii stressed the need for both chambers of the Diet to conduct thorough discussions on this issue in order to reveal the facts to the public.

The fourth is a ban on bureaucrats’ participation in Diet discussions, promoted by Ozawa as part of what he calls “Diet reforms”.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano Hirofumi on November 4 stated that the government will take “political leadership” to decide on constitutional interpretations in regard to the right of collective self-defense regardless of successive Cabinet Legislation Bureau directors’ arguments in the Diet.

Hirano’s remark suggests that one of the aims of banning bureaucrats’ participation in Diet deliberations is to change constitutional interpretations for Japan to have the right of collective self-defense under the name of “political leadership” in order to enable it to use force, Shii warned.

- Akahata, November 6, 2009