May 1, 2020
The 2020 supplementary budget totaling 25.7 trillion yen for an emergency package to tackle the negative economic impact from the coronavirus outbreak was enacted on April 30 in the Diet with overwhelming support, including from the Japanese Communist Party.
On the day, prior to the vote at the plenary meeting of the House of Councilors, JCP parliamentarian Yamazoe Taku gave a speech in support of the budget. He said that the government has the responsibility to prevent an explosive surge of coronavirus infections and a collapse of the medical system and to protect people’s lives, health, livelihoods, and businesses.
Citing the planned payment of 100,000 yen to all residents in Japan, Yamazoe said that the government finally included this program in the supplementary budget after being pressured by public opinion.
On the other hand, citing problems in the supplementary budget, Yamazoe pointed out that the budget for subsidy programs for businesses and local governments is insufficient. He also noted that the government should have allocated funding for measures to prevent the medical system from collapsing and for the introduction of a compensation program combined with business suspension requests. He urged the government to include a budget for the establishment and operation of PCR testing centers for the coronavirus, and provide financial support for small theaters and other cultural facilities struggling to survive the current crisis as well as for students and expectant mothers.
Yamazoe criticized the government for planning to use as much as 1.7 trillion yen to promote the tourism industry after the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Japan is brought under control. Concerning the 2020 primary budget, he urged the government to divert funds for anti-coronavirus measures by slashing the allocated funding for the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa’s Henoko, the introduction of Aegis Ashore ground-based missile defense systems, and the promotion of casino-related development.
On the day, prior to the vote at the plenary meeting of the House of Councilors, JCP parliamentarian Yamazoe Taku gave a speech in support of the budget. He said that the government has the responsibility to prevent an explosive surge of coronavirus infections and a collapse of the medical system and to protect people’s lives, health, livelihoods, and businesses.
Citing the planned payment of 100,000 yen to all residents in Japan, Yamazoe said that the government finally included this program in the supplementary budget after being pressured by public opinion.
On the other hand, citing problems in the supplementary budget, Yamazoe pointed out that the budget for subsidy programs for businesses and local governments is insufficient. He also noted that the government should have allocated funding for measures to prevent the medical system from collapsing and for the introduction of a compensation program combined with business suspension requests. He urged the government to include a budget for the establishment and operation of PCR testing centers for the coronavirus, and provide financial support for small theaters and other cultural facilities struggling to survive the current crisis as well as for students and expectant mothers.
Yamazoe criticized the government for planning to use as much as 1.7 trillion yen to promote the tourism industry after the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Japan is brought under control. Concerning the 2020 primary budget, he urged the government to divert funds for anti-coronavirus measures by slashing the allocated funding for the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa’s Henoko, the introduction of Aegis Ashore ground-based missile defense systems, and the promotion of casino-related development.
