Japan Press Weekly

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2009 April 29 - May 12 [WELFARE]

Long-term efforts needed to deal with new flu: JCP Kokuta

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji said four measures should be taken to deal with the new H1N1 strain of influenza. He also stressed the importance of dealing with the problem incorporating long-term efforts.

On the NHK “Sunday Debate” program aired on May 10, Kokuta raised the strengthening of quarantine inspections as the first proposal, pointing out that the number of quarantine officers at airports has decreased.

The second proposal made by Kokuta is to strengthen healthcare systems. He explained that 10 out of 17 health centers in Tokyo have been closed since 1997.

The third is to develop medical systems. Kokuta insisted that the government take this opportunity to improve local medical institutions, which have been impoverished due to the Koizumi Cabinet’s “structural reform” policies.

Finally, Kokuta urged the government to make clear before the public that they do not have to shoulder the financial burdens to block the spread of infection.

As of May 10, four people have been confirmed as being infected with the new flu in Japan.