June 11, 2020

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on June 10 criticized government measures in the second supplementary budget draft as insufficient in terms of efforts to prepare for a potential second wave of coronavirus infections.

He made this remark in his comments to the press about his impression of discussions on the budget draft at a Lower House Budget Committee meeting.

Shii said that in the budget committee meeting, he grilled the government to respond to the party’s proposals which were published regarding the reopening of schools and economic and social activities.

Shii pointed out that experts are expressing concern over another coming surge in virus infections, and said that as necessary precautions, the party proposed that the government employ an aggressive strategy and enhance the PCR testing capacity. He said that in the Lower House committee discussion, Prime Minister Abe showed a positive stance toward this proposal. He went on to say that PM Abe, however, showed no intent to increase the number of public health centers. He demanded that as proposed by the JCP, the government implement measures to fundamentally improve the current system for public health services in order to prepare for a possible second wave and future outbreaks of previously unknown infectious diseases.

Referring to the JCP demand for solving the issue of delay in the provision of government subsidies for companies to maintain employment, Shii pointed out that in response to his question, the Labor Minister said that the number of workers covered by the government subsidy program was only 1.3 million among 10 million workers affected by business suspensions. He expressed his determination to push the government even harder to realize the party’s demand for a swift distribution of subsidies.

Shii stated that regarding the issue of school resumption, he received an affirmative response from PM Abe to his question about the JCP proposal for the introduction of a small-sized classroom system. Shii said that the party will call for a national movement to urge the government to maintain smaller classes even after the coronavirus crisis ends.

Shii said, “With the current pandemic, various problems that resulted from government austerity measures in such fields as healthcare, welfare, and education were exposed so we need to create a society after the coronavirus situation subsides which puts importance on healthcare, welfare, education, and decent work.”

Past related articles:
> JCP releases proposal regarding ways to revive social and economic activities under continued coronavirus risk [ June 5, 2020]
> JCP issues urgent proposal on reopening of schools [ June 3, 2020]