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2024 October 2 - 8 [POLITICS]

JCP EC Chair Tamura talks with CDPJ leader Noda

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko on October 3 met with Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan head Noda Yoshihiko in the Diet building and discussed their Diet efforts in the current extraordinary session and other topics.

Tamura pointed out that it is unacceptable to close the Diet to call for a snap election in only eight days after the inauguration of the Ishiba Cabinet, the shortest in postwar Japan, without holding Budget Committee meetings in both chambers. She noted that in both Houses’ plenary meetings which determined the length of a Diet session, CDPJ lawmakers demanded the holding of budget committee meetings. She said, “We need to make efforts to demand the holding of budget committee discussions.”

Furthermore, as a matter of priority in the session, Tamura cited efforts to enact a new law aimed at providing relief to victims of forced sterilization under the former Eugenic Protection Act and adopt a special resolution offering an apology to the victims.

Regarding the holding of Budget Committee meetings and the creation of the new law, Noda expressed his support to Tamura.

In response to the CDPJ leader’s call for JCP cooperation in efforts to revise the Political Funds Control Act, Tamura stressed that it is essential to impose a total ban on political donations, including fundraiser ticket purchases, from corporations and other interest groups, and added, “Political reform without this won’t be worthy of the name.”

Regarding the upcoming snap election, Noda said that it will be significant to coordinate candidates among opposition parties in electoral districts where slush fund scandal-hit LDP members will run for a seat.

Tamura in response said that to expose scandal-tainted politicians is one of the major issues in the general election. On the other hand, she continued to say that as the creation of off-the-book funds was an organized crime by the LDP, the general election should be an opportunity to deliver a verdict on the LDP regarding this issue.

In addition, along with the slush fund scandal, Tamura said that another major issues in the general election will be to drastically shift away from the LDP-led government which is incapable of implementing effective policies to cope with the cost of living crisis while outrageously seeking a huge military buildup and adverse constitutional revision. She said, “The JCP will approach the coming general election from this standpoint of protecting the public interest and opposing the move to allow the Japanese military to engage in wars abroad.”