Japan Press Weekly

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2007 February 14 - 20 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Tokyo gubernatorial election candidate Yoshida announces platform

Yoshida Manzo, the progressive independent candidate for Tokyo Metropolitan governor supported by the Japanese Communist Party, on February 14 published his 6-point election platform entitled, “For a Tokyo that will make use of the Constitution, break away from wasteful use of tax money, and give priority to improving residents’ living conditions and social welfare services.”

The main points of Yoshida’s policy are:
(i) End the metropolitan government administration serving the governor’s self-interest and the wasteful use of tax money; make the administration transparent and use tax money for the benefit of residents.
(ii) Support living conditions of residents that are suffering from heavier burdens associated with growing social disparities; create a Tokyo in which people can live without anxieties.
(iii) Carry out educational reform so as to assure children of their sound growth.
(iv) Support small- and medium-sized enterprises and vitalize the local economy.
(v) Set out urban policies to create a Tokyo capable of withstanding disasters, prioritizing defense of the natural and living environment.
(vi) Defend the Constitution; aim for a peaceful Tokyo free of military bases.

At a press conference on the same day, Yoshida pointed out that Governor Ishihara Shintaro has come under strong criticism for his misuse of the metropolitan government for his own personal benefit, including extravagant overseas trips.

Criticizing Ishihara for giving priority to large scale urban development projects and for sharply cutting social welfare and medical services, Yoshida stressed the need to change the Tokyo administration.

Yoshida, at the same time, noted that in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly the Ishihara administration has been supported by the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Democratic parties as well as the Tokyo Seikatsusha Net.

JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Watanabe Yasunobu stated that not only the LDP and Komei Party but the Democratic Party has supported all draft budgets that Ishihara has submitted to the assembly.

The gubernatorial election in Tokyo, where 12 million people are living, will take place on April 8.