Japan Press Weekly

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2013 April 10 - 16 [POLITICS]

JRP lawmaker calls for relaxing regulations on public service privatization

Laws should be deregulated to make it easier for local governments to privatize public services, a Japan Restoration Party parliamentarian argued on April 9.

The remark was made by JRP member Matsunami Kenta at a House of Representatives budget committee meeting in support of Osaka Mayor Hashimoto Toru’s privatization plan.

Hashimoto, who is the JRP co-leader, is trying to transfer the city’s subway and bus systems into private hands, provoking strong criticism from residents.

Regarding the Local Autonomy Law, which requires local assemblies to obtain support from more than two-thirds of their members in order to abolish or sell important public facilities or assets, Matsunami said, “I wonder if more than two-thirds support should really be required.”

Related past articles:
> 10,000 workers in Osaka governments will lose jobs (June 21, 2012)
> Osaka mayor to abolish city symphonic orchestra (May 27, 2012)