December 18, 2020

The Japanese Communist Party will demand that the government directly provide special allowances before year's end to all healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, technicians, and clerical/administrative personnel.

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo on December 17 held a press conference to announce this proposal. Accordingly, JCP Secretariate Head Koike Akira informed Health and Welfare Minister Tamura Norihisa to that effect. The minister responded, "I accept the proposal and will do my best with that in mind."

The JCP will further demand that the government also provide financial support directly to business entities, which will respond or already responded to the government request to shorten business hours, in order to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases over the year-end and New Year's holidays.

At the press conference, Shii noted, "An advisory board to the Health and Welfare Ministry stated, 'There is a possibility that the whole healthcare system could fall into a crisis during the final days of the year and the first days of next year,' suggesting that 'further cuts in restaurants' business hours in areas where COVID-19 infections are spreading be considered'." He said, "The government should dramatically improve compensatory measures so that eating establishments can meet the government request to shorten their business hours."

Already on December 11, Shii told Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to: cover losses in earnings in medical institutions; increase the PCR testing capacity; continue/enhance direct support to ensure business continuity; bolster support for people in need; and cancel "Go To" campaigns.

Past related article:
> Medical workers will suffer 10% cut in winter bonus despite their heroic fight against COVID-19 [November 26, 2020]