November 2, 2011
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at the Lower House interpellation session on November 1 highlighted the negative consequences Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) negotiations would bring.
He also took up the issues related to financial resources for disaster recovery and to the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa.
The JCP representative warned that TPP participation would impede reconstruction efforts; disturb the stability of food supplies; allow the United States to force Japan to open every market and further relax import regulations; expand one-way trade from the United States; dampen domestic demand rather than boost growth; and devastate the Japanese economy.
Pointing out that it is not the tariffs but the strong yen which is creating obstacles to exporting to the U.S., Shii stated that joining the tariff-cutting TPP would increase imports unilaterally from the U.S. He said that the agriculture ministry itself is estimating that 3.5 million workers would lose their jobs in consequence.
The JCP head stated, “We are dead set against policies that would lead Japan into ruin by selling out everything to another country!”
Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko hinted at the possibility of Japan giving in to U.S. pressure, saying, “I can’t completely deny the possible requirements that Japan would need to satisfy.”
The government is planning to increase 11.2 trillion yen in taxes on the general public over next 15 years in the name of funding reconstruction, while reducing 12 trillion yen in corporate tax revenues.
Regarding this scheme, Shii stated, “An increase in general tax revenues will just be used to make up for the loss in corporate tax revenues. Nothing will come out as recovery funds but more debts.”
As for the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa, Shii said that the U.S. forces forcibly seized the land from Okinawans against international law and had gone ahead and built U.S. military facilities with “bayonets and bulldozers.”
Reminding the prime minister about Okinawan consensus opposing an alternative facility to the Futenma base, Shii demanded that the government negotiate with the United States for the unconditional removal of the base.
The prime minister, however, maintained the policy of constructing a new base in Okinawa as replacement for the Futenma base. He did not even indicate a recognition of Okinawa’s history of hardships.
He also took up the issues related to financial resources for disaster recovery and to the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa.
The JCP representative warned that TPP participation would impede reconstruction efforts; disturb the stability of food supplies; allow the United States to force Japan to open every market and further relax import regulations; expand one-way trade from the United States; dampen domestic demand rather than boost growth; and devastate the Japanese economy.
Pointing out that it is not the tariffs but the strong yen which is creating obstacles to exporting to the U.S., Shii stated that joining the tariff-cutting TPP would increase imports unilaterally from the U.S. He said that the agriculture ministry itself is estimating that 3.5 million workers would lose their jobs in consequence.
The JCP head stated, “We are dead set against policies that would lead Japan into ruin by selling out everything to another country!”
Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko hinted at the possibility of Japan giving in to U.S. pressure, saying, “I can’t completely deny the possible requirements that Japan would need to satisfy.”
The government is planning to increase 11.2 trillion yen in taxes on the general public over next 15 years in the name of funding reconstruction, while reducing 12 trillion yen in corporate tax revenues.
Regarding this scheme, Shii stated, “An increase in general tax revenues will just be used to make up for the loss in corporate tax revenues. Nothing will come out as recovery funds but more debts.”
As for the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa, Shii said that the U.S. forces forcibly seized the land from Okinawans against international law and had gone ahead and built U.S. military facilities with “bayonets and bulldozers.”
Reminding the prime minister about Okinawan consensus opposing an alternative facility to the Futenma base, Shii demanded that the government negotiate with the United States for the unconditional removal of the base.
The prime minister, however, maintained the policy of constructing a new base in Okinawa as replacement for the Futenma base. He did not even indicate a recognition of Okinawa’s history of hardships.
