Japan Press Weekly

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2009 January 7 - 13 [POLITICS]

JCP representative in Lower House demands that government respond to urgent public needs

Japanese Communist Party Sasaki Kensho used his question time on behalf of the party at the House of Representatives Plenary Session on January 6 to propose urgent measures to sustain the public’s living conditions as well as a policy for assisting the nation’s economy.

Pointing out that the current waves of mass dismissals of temporary workers and fixed-term contract workers represent “a disaster caused by a series of adverse labor law reforms that removed vital regulations,” Sasaki demanded that the government take measures to secure jobs and housing for the victims and use the welfare assistance system to actually assist them.

Regarding the fact that major corporations are keeping huge amounts of internal capital reserves, Sasaki said to Prime Minister Aso Taro, “Do you have any intention to demand that these corporations stop dismissing contingent workers?”

Aso had to admit that top priority should be given to ensuring jobs and housing for those who have been recently fired and driven out of their dormitories, but only stated, “I have been requesting the business sector to do its best.”

Sasaki criticized the Aso government for planning to increase the consumption tax rate after extending cash handouts to all households, apparently to distract them from the need to oppose a subsequent tax rise. “A consumption tax increase will certainly further discourage consumers from spending,” he said.

The JCP lawmaker also said, “As an emergency step, the government should exempt foodstuffs from the consumption tax.”

However, Aso was intent on pushing ahead with a consumption tax increase as a means of securing resources for social security services. “It is inappropriate to reduce the consumption tax,” he said.

“In rebuilding the nation’s economy, the urgent need is to fundamentally revise the Worker Dispatch Law, shift economic policy to one of expanding domestic demand by putting emphasis on the household economy instead of depending on foreign demand, keep financial speculations under control, and establish fair and equitable regulations on market activities,” Sasaki stated.

Aso seemed to understand the importance of establishing a domestic demand-driven sustainable economy, but when it comes to specific measures, he clung to conventional, outdated economic measures.