Japan Press Weekly

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2024 November 20 - 26 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

As demanded by JCP and citizens, Miyagi Governor withdraws hospital relocation plan

Miyagi Governor Murai Yoshihiro on November 21 at a prefectural assembly meeting announced his decision to cancel the planned relocation of Miyagi Psychiatric Center from the current location in Natori City to outside the city, and instead rebuild the hospital in the city.

The governor has been attempting to steamroll through a policy to consolidate four major public medical institutions into two which includes the relocation of the psychiatric center.

Not only the Japanese Communist Party, but also psychiatric center users and local residents have repeatedly demanded that the hospital be rebuilt and not be relocated to elsewhere. A prefectural government panel consisting of mental health providers on November 13 unanimously resolved to oppose the relocation plan.

On the day of the prefectural assembly meeting, a civil group opposing the governor’s plan to reduce access to health care held a rally near the assembly building.

JCP assemblypersons Kaneda Motoru and Funayama Yumi took part in the rally, and stressed, “Citizens’ tenacious efforts have influenced the prefectural government and pushed the governor to decide to retract the relocation plan, achieving success.” The JCP lawmakers expressed their determination to work harder to urge the governor to give up on his public hospital consolidation plan.

The civil group’s head, Iwakura Masaki, welcomed the governor’s announcement and said, “Let us continue to fight to have the consolidation plan itself be scrapped!”