January 17, 2021
A top official of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Shimomura Hakubun who heads the party’s Policy Research Council, on January 15 expressed his determination to incorporate in a bill to revise the law on anti-coronavirus special measures a provision obliging the government to provide financial support to businesses which comply with a government request for shorter business hours or business suspensions.
He made this announcement on a political talk show, BS Fuji Live Prime News, which aired on the same day in response to a question by Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira.
Koike cited the government-drafted bill to revise the special measures law in the fight against COVID-19. He said that the bill states that the government will “make efforts” to support business owners affected by various restrictions due to the pandemic. Koike argued, “Under a revision, while calling for compliance with corona-related regulations, the government only shows a stance to make efforts to cover a loss. Does the government think that’s allowable?”
In response, Shimomura said that the ruling party as its "obligation" will make a change in the bill so that financial assistance will be provided.
He made this announcement on a political talk show, BS Fuji Live Prime News, which aired on the same day in response to a question by Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira.
Koike cited the government-drafted bill to revise the special measures law in the fight against COVID-19. He said that the bill states that the government will “make efforts” to support business owners affected by various restrictions due to the pandemic. Koike argued, “Under a revision, while calling for compliance with corona-related regulations, the government only shows a stance to make efforts to cover a loss. Does the government think that’s allowable?”
In response, Shimomura said that the ruling party as its "obligation" will make a change in the bill so that financial assistance will be provided.