May 7, 2011
The Diet enacted a package of “local sovereignty” bills on April 28, allowing the national government to abandon its responsibility for providing the minimum standard of living for all citizens.
Establishment of the “local sovereignty” law was one of the major policies promoted by the Democratic Party of Japan-led government. It was supported by the Democratic, Liberal Democratic, Komei, Social Democratic, and Your parties while the Japanese Communist Party voted against it.
Based on its responsibility to guarantee the minimum criteria for people’s livelihoods, the government sets national standards in the operation and construction of childcare centers, facilities for the elderly and disabled, and public housing complexes.
The newly enacted law, covering the amendment of 41-related laws, will allow local governments to establish their own standards for such public institutions. It basically carries on with policies introduced by the former LDP-Komei government under the guise of “promotion of decentralization.”
The Upper and Lower Houses held only 10 hours of discussion in total for the package of bills. JCP House of Representatives member Shiokawa Tetsuya pointed out that the passage of the bills will lead to relaxing the minimum standard size for childcare centers at a time when many municipalities have a long list of children waiting to enter daycare facilities. Internal Affairs Minister Katayama Yoshihiro admitted, “Considering the reality, this will likely happen.”
In the Upper House deliberation, JCP representative Yamashita Yoshiki argued that what the government needs to do is to improve the minimum standards for public childcare institutions which are lower than the standards in other major countries.
On the other hand, LDP and Komei lawmakers praised the abolition of national standards. A member of the Your Party backed the packaged bills, saying that the shift of responsibility from national to local governments can reduce related expenditures by 20 to 30 percent.
The government has already submitted to the Diet another package of “local sovereignty” bills, including abolition of the maximum number of students per public high school.
Establishment of the “local sovereignty” law was one of the major policies promoted by the Democratic Party of Japan-led government. It was supported by the Democratic, Liberal Democratic, Komei, Social Democratic, and Your parties while the Japanese Communist Party voted against it.
Based on its responsibility to guarantee the minimum criteria for people’s livelihoods, the government sets national standards in the operation and construction of childcare centers, facilities for the elderly and disabled, and public housing complexes.
The newly enacted law, covering the amendment of 41-related laws, will allow local governments to establish their own standards for such public institutions. It basically carries on with policies introduced by the former LDP-Komei government under the guise of “promotion of decentralization.”
The Upper and Lower Houses held only 10 hours of discussion in total for the package of bills. JCP House of Representatives member Shiokawa Tetsuya pointed out that the passage of the bills will lead to relaxing the minimum standard size for childcare centers at a time when many municipalities have a long list of children waiting to enter daycare facilities. Internal Affairs Minister Katayama Yoshihiro admitted, “Considering the reality, this will likely happen.”
In the Upper House deliberation, JCP representative Yamashita Yoshiki argued that what the government needs to do is to improve the minimum standards for public childcare institutions which are lower than the standards in other major countries.
On the other hand, LDP and Komei lawmakers praised the abolition of national standards. A member of the Your Party backed the packaged bills, saying that the shift of responsibility from national to local governments can reduce related expenditures by 20 to 30 percent.
The government has already submitted to the Diet another package of “local sovereignty” bills, including abolition of the maximum number of students per public high school.
