Japan Press Weekly

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2012 May 23 - 29 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

Controversial ordinance bills forcibly passed in Osaka City

The Osaka City Assembly forcibly passed two ordinance bills submitted by Mayor Hashimoto Toru through its plenary session on May 25, authorizing him to have control over education and city personnel.

The Japanese Communist Party voted against the two bills: the fundamental ordinance on education” and “fundamental ordinance on city personnel”.

Prior to the vote, JCP member of the city assembly Inoue Hiroshi pointed out that unfair political intervention has already taken effect in schools such as forcing teachers to stand up and sing the “Kimigayo” anthem and severely checking if they really sing. Another control based on biased philosophy in regard to education will adversely affect the healthy growth of children’s personalities and potentials.

Another JCP assemblyman, Ogawa Yota took the floor to oppose the bill to dominate public workers. He argued that the bill is “to make the city’s employees curry favor with the mayor” and will “blot the history of local autonomy.”

Outside the city office on this day, citizens encircled the building, protesting the competition, control, and intervention the mayor seeks to strengthen in public administration.

Other citizens’ groups visited the city office and submitted 642 statements from citizens on the mayor’s “plan to reform the city administration”. Mayor Hashimoto is trying to reduce expenditures by 48.8 billion yen by saying the city’s public services are too luxurious.

Participants said: “It is necessary to provide housing aid to newly-married couples living on less than 2 million yen a year. How can they make ends meet without the subsidy?” “Isn’t the mayor going to support the working population? He should take pride in the city’s unique public services.” “I want the mayor to keep his election promise to maintain the transportation free pass program for the elderly.”

Breaking his public pledge made during his election campaign last year, the dictatorial mayor in the “plan to reform the city administration” aims for an end to the transportation program for senior citizens. He said, “Many are able to walk,” and this met with severe public criticism.