November 3, 2016
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on November 2 at a political debate hosted by university students said that opposition parties’ earnest joint efforts can influence public opinion.
In addition to JCP Koike, lawmakers of the Democratic Party (Maehara Seiji) and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Adachi Yasushi) also participated in the event held on the campus of Meiji Gakuin University.
As an introduction to the discussions, the results of a survey of Meiji Gakuin University students were presented, indicating that 90% of the respondents hope for a political change and that most of them have no party preference.
Koike noted that in the October Niigata gubernatorial election, Yoneyama Ryuichi, who was jointly supported by opposition parties and concerned citizens, won the election by promising to oppose the reactivation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. “When opposition parties work jointly for policies in the public interest, this will attract public opinion,” said Koike.
Asked by students about the JCP vision for a future Japan, Koike said, “It is possible for Japan to achieve sustainable growth by seriously confronting and dealing with the issues of increases in poverty and social inequalities.”
Koike explained the JCP’s policies in various fields. The JCP is proposing that taxation be based on the ability-to-pay principle; taxpayers’ money be spent to improve social welfare services, education, and child-rearing support; non-regular workers be converted to regular workers; and the focus of Japan’s energy policy be shifted from nuclear power to renewable energy sources.
Koike pointed out that the opposition parties’ major role is to confront the government regarding its anti-people policies. At the same time, he went on to say that it is important for opposition parties to make concrete proposals. “The JCP will continue submitting critical analyses of each newly proposed government measure,” Koike added.
Past related article:
> Joint opposition candidate wins Niigata gubernatorial election [October 17, 2016]
In addition to JCP Koike, lawmakers of the Democratic Party (Maehara Seiji) and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Adachi Yasushi) also participated in the event held on the campus of Meiji Gakuin University.
As an introduction to the discussions, the results of a survey of Meiji Gakuin University students were presented, indicating that 90% of the respondents hope for a political change and that most of them have no party preference.
Koike noted that in the October Niigata gubernatorial election, Yoneyama Ryuichi, who was jointly supported by opposition parties and concerned citizens, won the election by promising to oppose the reactivation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. “When opposition parties work jointly for policies in the public interest, this will attract public opinion,” said Koike.
Asked by students about the JCP vision for a future Japan, Koike said, “It is possible for Japan to achieve sustainable growth by seriously confronting and dealing with the issues of increases in poverty and social inequalities.”
Koike explained the JCP’s policies in various fields. The JCP is proposing that taxation be based on the ability-to-pay principle; taxpayers’ money be spent to improve social welfare services, education, and child-rearing support; non-regular workers be converted to regular workers; and the focus of Japan’s energy policy be shifted from nuclear power to renewable energy sources.
Koike pointed out that the opposition parties’ major role is to confront the government regarding its anti-people policies. At the same time, he went on to say that it is important for opposition parties to make concrete proposals. “The JCP will continue submitting critical analyses of each newly proposed government measure,” Koike added.
Past related article:
> Joint opposition candidate wins Niigata gubernatorial election [October 17, 2016]
