Japan Press Weekly

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2023 January 25 - 31 [POLITICS]

JCP Kira: 43-trillion-yen arms buildup is unconstitutional

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kira Yoshiko on behalf of the JCP used her question time at an Upper House plenary session on January 24 to criticize the government for its move to overturn the conventional defense-only policy. She stated that the government proposed-arms buildup of 43 trillion yen over the next five years goes against the Japanese Constitution.

Security
Kira also criticized Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for having told U.S. President Joe Biden about the Cabinet decision on the "three key national security documents" before seeking Diet opinion. She said, "You give priority to the U.S. interests over the Japanese Diet," demanding that the three documents in question be withdrawn.

PM Kishida in response said that the three documents are within the scope of the exclusively defensive defense policy, and that he just explained to President Biden about Japan's current situation.

falling birthrate
Regarding the low birthrate in Japan, Kira pointed out that expensive medical fees and school lunch fees as well as high tuition fees for high schools, colleges, and universities are factors behind the dramatic drop in the birthrate.

She demanded that the government carry out free healthcare services for children and a free school lunch program without an income ceiling.

Regarding this point, PM Kishida only said, "We will map out policies for childrearing support."

Climate change
Kira moved on to the issue of climate change, criticizing Japan for depending on nuclear power generation. She said, "Japan, the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, should raise its reduction target."