Japan Press Weekly

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2010 March 3 - 9 [POLITICS]

Shii gives JCP view of upcoming Upper House Election

This statement was made at a news conference held on March 7 in Koriyam City, Fukushima Prefecture, where Shii was on the campaign trail.

Regarding the upcoming House of Councilors election, Shii said, “The JCP will fight in the election based on our two major policies: to create an independent and peaceful Japan by changing the government policy subservient to the U.S. and to establish an economy governed by rules by changing the government policy which is excessively pro-big business.”

Explaining the current political situation after the 2009 general election, Shii pointed out, “Pressed by people’s movements, the Democratic Party of Japan-led government partly carried out some people-oriented policies. But, in its most important policy decisions, the government is turning its back on voter’s expectations.”

Shii referred to the fact that the DPJ postponed abolishing the discriminatory health insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and over, failed to revise the Worker Dispatch Law in the direction of eliminating the disposable use of labor, retreated from what it said during the election campaign about the relocation of the U.S. Futenma base, and showed a clear lack of any self-cleansing ability concerning the money-politics scandals involving the top two leaders of the party.

Regarding the Liberal Democratic Party, Shii pointed out, “As a result of the severe public verdict of its failed policies, although the LDP became an opposition party, it is preoccupied with attacking government policies or even coming up with worse policy options without showing any sign of remorse for its misgovernment.”

Shii blamed the LDP for pressuring the government to promote the planned construction of a new U.S. base in Nago City, Okinawa, and for submitting a motion to revise the budget in order to increase the consumption tax and to stop the program making public high-schools tuition-free.

Shii stated, “This political situation highlighted the JCP’s activities in various fields as an opposition party constructively engaging with government affairs. As a result of our activities, we have achieved some successful changes in government policies. We will increase our efforts to appeal to voters in order to win a greater number of seats in the upcoming election.”
- Akahata, March 8, 2010