May 24, 2011
Japanese Communist Party representative Takahashi Chizuko on May 23 demanded that the government protect the local fishing industry in the March 11 disaster-hit areas from the planned deregulation that will allow private companies to enter into fishing businesses.
At a meeting of the House of Representatives special committee on post-disaster recovery, Takahashi took up the issue of recovering 319 fishing ports in seven prefectures which were damaged by the disaster.
Takahashi reported that fisheries cooperative associations in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture oppose Governor Murai Yasuhiro’s plan to create a “special zone for revitalizing fisheries” through a consolidation of small fishing ports with the aim to open up the prefectural fishing industry to private corporations.
“Normally, private enterprises pursue quick profits and withdraw from unprofitable businesses. If such private companies’ entry is allowed, local fishing industries will be destroyed. It is unacceptable to ease the present restriction on corporate penetration into the local fishery industry,” said Takahashi.
Prime Minister Kan Naoto said, “It is important that local residents draw up a plan which enables them to live in safety and revitalize their fishing business, and that the government support the plan.”
Moving to another issue, Takahashi criticized Kan for not pledging to reduce the number of nuclear reactors while expressing his intention to reexamine the national energy policy with a clean slate.
She also condemned the prime minister for concluding with leaders of China and South Korea the May 22 a joint statement saying that “nuclear energy remains an important option for many countries.”
She urged Kan to pull out of nuclear power generation and to formulate a timetable with a clear deadline for the permanent shutdown of all existing nuclear power plants.
However, Kan said, “The safer use of nuclear energy is our major responsibility based on lessons learned from the recent nuclear accident,” indicating that the government maintains the same position as before in regard to nuclear power plants.
At a meeting of the House of Representatives special committee on post-disaster recovery, Takahashi took up the issue of recovering 319 fishing ports in seven prefectures which were damaged by the disaster.
Takahashi reported that fisheries cooperative associations in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture oppose Governor Murai Yasuhiro’s plan to create a “special zone for revitalizing fisheries” through a consolidation of small fishing ports with the aim to open up the prefectural fishing industry to private corporations.
“Normally, private enterprises pursue quick profits and withdraw from unprofitable businesses. If such private companies’ entry is allowed, local fishing industries will be destroyed. It is unacceptable to ease the present restriction on corporate penetration into the local fishery industry,” said Takahashi.
Prime Minister Kan Naoto said, “It is important that local residents draw up a plan which enables them to live in safety and revitalize their fishing business, and that the government support the plan.”
Moving to another issue, Takahashi criticized Kan for not pledging to reduce the number of nuclear reactors while expressing his intention to reexamine the national energy policy with a clean slate.
She also condemned the prime minister for concluding with leaders of China and South Korea the May 22 a joint statement saying that “nuclear energy remains an important option for many countries.”
She urged Kan to pull out of nuclear power generation and to formulate a timetable with a clear deadline for the permanent shutdown of all existing nuclear power plants.
However, Kan said, “The safer use of nuclear energy is our major responsibility based on lessons learned from the recent nuclear accident,” indicating that the government maintains the same position as before in regard to nuclear power plants.
