March 4 and 6, 2014
Citing the fact that 26,000 children in Tokyo are on waiting lists for admission to authorized childcare centers, Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Ueki Koji on March 4 at a plenary session of the assembly demanded an increase in the number of day nurseries.
Ueki stressed that it is necessary to build more authorized childcare centers, and that they should keep the present quality standards.
Tokyo Governor Masuzoe Yoichi in response said, “It is a matter of course that we will maintain the quality of the childcare service while increasing the quantity.” However, he avoided directly stating that he considers authorized facilities to be important.
The JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Members’ Group on the previous day released its survey result that 25,992 children are unable to enter authorized day nurseries this coming April at a press conference held at the metropolitan office building.
In the nine wards and cities out of 45 municipalities surveyed, more than half of the applications from parents for their children were turned down and the average rejection ratio stands at 37.5%, according to the JCP survey result.
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Holding banners reading, “We are in trouble with no place to look after our children”, mothers with young children on March 5 rallied in front of the Prime Minister’s Office and called on the national government to be held responsible to build a sufficient number of childcare facilities.
Standing in the cold rain, around 20 mothers from around Tokyo took part in the action organized by the New Japan Women’s Association (Shinfujin).
After the rally, the mothers submitted a statement to the Cabinet Office, calling for measures to swiftly increase the number of childcare centers.
Ueki stressed that it is necessary to build more authorized childcare centers, and that they should keep the present quality standards.
Tokyo Governor Masuzoe Yoichi in response said, “It is a matter of course that we will maintain the quality of the childcare service while increasing the quantity.” However, he avoided directly stating that he considers authorized facilities to be important.
The JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Members’ Group on the previous day released its survey result that 25,992 children are unable to enter authorized day nurseries this coming April at a press conference held at the metropolitan office building.
In the nine wards and cities out of 45 municipalities surveyed, more than half of the applications from parents for their children were turned down and the average rejection ratio stands at 37.5%, according to the JCP survey result.
***
Holding banners reading, “We are in trouble with no place to look after our children”, mothers with young children on March 5 rallied in front of the Prime Minister’s Office and called on the national government to be held responsible to build a sufficient number of childcare facilities.
Standing in the cold rain, around 20 mothers from around Tokyo took part in the action organized by the New Japan Women’s Association (Shinfujin).
After the rally, the mothers submitted a statement to the Cabinet Office, calling for measures to swiftly increase the number of childcare centers.
