October 16, 2013
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on October 15, the opening day of the 53-day extraordinary session of the Diet, in his policy speech vowed to support large corporations by “mobilizing an entire spectrum of policies and measures”.
The prime minister praised himself for his Abenomics economy policy by saying, “My ‘three arrows’ of economic revival have dramatically changed the atmosphere in Japan.” He expressed his intention to move ahead on economic policies “without hesitation”.
While justifying the consumption tax hike scheduled for April next year and the ongoing cuts in social welfare programs, Abe declared that he will seek to promote intensive investments over the next three years and assist large corporations by “mobilizing an entire spectrum of policies and measures, including the tax system, the budget, financial assistance, and regulatory and institutional reform”.
Furthermore, the PM announced his plan to set up a Japanese national security council under a banner of “proactive contributor to peace” which focuses on the use of the right to collective self-defense enabling Japan to fight wars abroad. He again placed importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance as a key to the maintenance of bilateral relations. Regarding the issue of transferring the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan City to Nago City’s Henoko district in Okinawa, Abe said that he will push ahead with the transfer “in line with the existing Japan-U.S. agreement”.
Abe avoided referring to a “secrets protection bill” which is receiving public criticism. He stated that he will develop procedures for a national referendum, indicating his intention to move for constitutional revision.
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo commenting on Abe’s policy speech said that the prime minister took no account of the pain and suffering in people’s lives while insisting that “support for big business would open the way for a rosy future.”
“Abe showed no intention to respond to concerns and criticism raised by the general public over issues such as the radioactive water leakage at the Fukushima power plant, the planned consumption tax hike, participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact, the collective self-defense right, and a ‘secrets protection bill’. His speech was empty of meaning,” said Shii.
Shii expressed his determination that the JCP will continue to deliver counter proposals in the Diet and work hard to hinder adverse moves by the Abe government through collaboration with citizens’ movements.
The prime minister praised himself for his Abenomics economy policy by saying, “My ‘three arrows’ of economic revival have dramatically changed the atmosphere in Japan.” He expressed his intention to move ahead on economic policies “without hesitation”.
While justifying the consumption tax hike scheduled for April next year and the ongoing cuts in social welfare programs, Abe declared that he will seek to promote intensive investments over the next three years and assist large corporations by “mobilizing an entire spectrum of policies and measures, including the tax system, the budget, financial assistance, and regulatory and institutional reform”.
Furthermore, the PM announced his plan to set up a Japanese national security council under a banner of “proactive contributor to peace” which focuses on the use of the right to collective self-defense enabling Japan to fight wars abroad. He again placed importance on the Japan-U.S. alliance as a key to the maintenance of bilateral relations. Regarding the issue of transferring the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan City to Nago City’s Henoko district in Okinawa, Abe said that he will push ahead with the transfer “in line with the existing Japan-U.S. agreement”.
Abe avoided referring to a “secrets protection bill” which is receiving public criticism. He stated that he will develop procedures for a national referendum, indicating his intention to move for constitutional revision.
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo commenting on Abe’s policy speech said that the prime minister took no account of the pain and suffering in people’s lives while insisting that “support for big business would open the way for a rosy future.”
“Abe showed no intention to respond to concerns and criticism raised by the general public over issues such as the radioactive water leakage at the Fukushima power plant, the planned consumption tax hike, participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact, the collective self-defense right, and a ‘secrets protection bill’. His speech was empty of meaning,” said Shii.
Shii expressed his determination that the JCP will continue to deliver counter proposals in the Diet and work hard to hinder adverse moves by the Abe government through collaboration with citizens’ movements.
