May 13, 2016
A rally calling for efforts to defend Article 25 of the Constitution took place on May 12 at Tokyo’s Hibiya Amphitheater with about 3,500 people participating.
“The state should ensure social security and welfare services in compliance with Article 25 so that every person can live a decent life,” they demanded in one voice.
A medical clinic director, a medical-related NPO, and welfare-related organizations hosted this event. Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Tamura Tomoko, a member of the House of Councilors, and JCP member of the House of Representatives Horiuchi Terufumi gave greetings. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and People’s Life Party also took part in the rally.
Lawyer Bito Hiroki, an executive of a group working for the betterment of the welfare system, gave the keynote speech. He pointed out that the government several years ago forced through the enactment of two laws concerning social welfare programs by reinterpreting the spirit of Article 25 guaranteeing the right to live with dignity.
Bito criticized the Abe administration for trying to minimize the country’s role in social welfare and forcibly enacting the security legislation. He called on the audience to change the direction of politics, saying, “Let’s protect Article 25 and work to help repeal the adversely revised social security laws. Let’s make our utmost efforts to abolish the war laws and bring back constitutionalism.”
Ibaraki Norihiro, the president of an association of employers running social welfare facilities, reported that for-profit business entities are increasingly entering into welfare services. He said, “Profit motivated entities cannot provide generous support suited to each individual,” and stressed the importance of the right to equally receive welfare as stated in Article 25.
Article 25 stipulates, “All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living. In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health.”
“The state should ensure social security and welfare services in compliance with Article 25 so that every person can live a decent life,” they demanded in one voice.
A medical clinic director, a medical-related NPO, and welfare-related organizations hosted this event. Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Tamura Tomoko, a member of the House of Councilors, and JCP member of the House of Representatives Horiuchi Terufumi gave greetings. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and People’s Life Party also took part in the rally.
Lawyer Bito Hiroki, an executive of a group working for the betterment of the welfare system, gave the keynote speech. He pointed out that the government several years ago forced through the enactment of two laws concerning social welfare programs by reinterpreting the spirit of Article 25 guaranteeing the right to live with dignity.
Bito criticized the Abe administration for trying to minimize the country’s role in social welfare and forcibly enacting the security legislation. He called on the audience to change the direction of politics, saying, “Let’s protect Article 25 and work to help repeal the adversely revised social security laws. Let’s make our utmost efforts to abolish the war laws and bring back constitutionalism.”
Ibaraki Norihiro, the president of an association of employers running social welfare facilities, reported that for-profit business entities are increasingly entering into welfare services. He said, “Profit motivated entities cannot provide generous support suited to each individual,” and stressed the importance of the right to equally receive welfare as stated in Article 25.
Article 25 stipulates, “All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living. In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health.”
