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2024 October 2 - 8 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike on BS news program describes Ishiba Cabinet as ‘flip-flop’ Cabinet

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on October 4 on a BS news program referred to the Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru-led government as a government led by a flip-flopper.

Koike made this remark on the BS-TBS program, “Hodo 1930”, during the exchange of views regarding the Ishiba administration with other political party lawmakers.

Koike pointed out that Ishiba during the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election campaign promised to increase the financial income tax, introduce a selective dual surname system, and establish a nationwide, across-the-board minimum wage system. However, Koike pointed out, Ishiba mentioned none of these promises in his policy speech he delivered on October 4 to the Diet. He defined the Ishiba Cabinet as a “flip-flop” Cabinet.

Koike noted that in a debate among LDP presidential race candidates about a snap election, Ishiba expressed a negative stance toward an early dissolution of the Diet without holding a budget committee meeting. Nevertheless, Koike pointed out, Ishiba decided to dissolve the Diet for a general election soon after a party leaders’ debate. Stating, “It is unacceptable for Ishiba to refuse to hold Budget Committee discussions in order to evade answering questions about pressing political issues,” Koike strongly demanded that not only a one-on-one debate between the PM and party leaders, but also a budget committee meeting be held.

The program reported on the current situation on the Noto Peninsula which was severely damaged by torrential rains and the powerful January 1 earthquake. In the report, local residents expressed their anger and concern saying, “To hold a general election on October 27 is absurd! The PM should prioritize recovery from the disaster.”

Koike pointed out, “I visited Noto Peninsula in January, May, and again in September. The reconstruction work is making little progress. The scene of the disaster-stricken region remains unchanged.” He criticized the LDP-led government for intending to deal with post-disaster reconstruction only with the use of reserve funds and postpone deliberations on a supplementary budget until after the general election.