JCP lawmakers meet with groups of disabled

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP lawmakers meet with groups of disabled

Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers on December 9 met with representatives of organizations for disabled people and intractable patients to exchange views on the establishment of a new law on welfare for them.

JCP Policy Commission Chair Koike Akira (House of Councilors) said, “The JCP is determined to help enact a comprehensive law on welfare for all disabled persons, including intractable patients and developmentally-disabled individuals.”

Koike explained that the new system which the JCP seeks will be based on the Japanese Constitution and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons of Disabilities, and will provide free welfare and medical services as in Europe. He also proposed a comprehensive plan to ensure appropriate jobs and incomes for the disabled.

Yoshimoto Tetsuo of the Japan Council on Disability expressed his gratitude to Koike for the JCP efforts to work with the disabled and requested that measures be taken for all people with disabilities.

Sakamoto Hideo of the Japan Patient Association said, “Only 130 out of 5000-7000 intractable illnesses are subject to state-initiated research projects,” and he requested that all such diseases be included in the projects.

- Akahata, December 10, 2009