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2022 February 16 - 22 TOP3 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike criticizes DPP’s approval of 2022 budget draft as declaration of virtually sitting at ruling party table

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on February 21 stated to the press in the Diet building that the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), with its support for the government-proposed 2022 budget draft, virtually announced that the party will play a part in supporting the ruling bloc.

Asked whether the JCP is willing to negotiate with the DPP on issues regarding opposition parties’ collaboration, such as electoral cooperation in the July Upper House election, Koike said, “The JCP will not be opposed to negotiations with the DPP. However, no negotiation has been held with them so far.”

Furthermore, Koike pointed out that as evidenced in the fact that the DPP recently changed sides and supports the promotion of constitutional revision, the party entered a dangerous path. He said, “I think, sooner or later, the JCP will make a decision regarding negotiations by giving due consideration to the DPP’s future moves.”

Earlier on the same day at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, the DPP voted for the government-drafted 2022 budget. It is unusual for an opposition party to approve the government’s initial budget request.

In discussions prior to the vote, DPP head Tamaki Yuichiro used his question time to support the budget bill. DPP Diet affairs chief Furukawa Motohisa in support of the budget said, “The government-proposed budget focuses on pay hikes and investments in human capital, though the allocation of funds is insufficient. The DPP and the government are headed in the same direction in principle.”