Japan Press Weekly

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2014 February 5 - 11 [WELFARE]

JCP efforts result in municipal subsidies in Nagano for low-income families’ purchase of heating oil

Pressed by efforts of the Japanese Communist Party and an anti-poverty group, more and more municipalities in Nagano Prefecture have begun providing financial support for low-income households to buy heating oil.

So far, one city and 11 towns and villages subsidize low-income families’ purchase of kerosene, according to a survey conducted by the Nagano Prefectural Association for Safeguarding People’s Life and Health.

In Shinano Town, the JCP assembly members’ group made representations to the town mayor twice this winter. Following this effort, the town assembly on January 20 passed a supplementary budget for this fiscal year, and the town government provided 7,000 yen in a subsidy to 500 low income households.

In Iizuna Town as well, in response to a JCP request, the Iizuna Town Assembly on January 10 approved an extra budget to allow a subsidy of 5,000 yen per low-income household. Local oil station owners appreciated this measure as the subsidy will be paid for the purchase of heating oil only from local stations.

The JCP Iiyama City Assembly members’ group since December 2013 has continuously urged the city to subsidize low income families’ purchase of kerosene. This effort bore fruit with the granting of 5,000 yen to about 1,000 such families.


Past relate articles:
> Akita Pref. will subsidize low-income families’ purchase of heating oil [January 21, 2014]
> JCP moves Nagano’s municipalities to help residents buy kerosene [February 17, 2013]