Japan Press Weekly

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2013 February 20 - 26 [POLITICS]

Gov't appetite for TPP contradicts LDP pledge

Japanese Communist Party representative Kami Tomoko on February 19 demanded that the government led by the Liberal Democratic Party stick to its election pledge, pointing out that the government’s self-proclaimed “forward-looking view” in regard to Japan’s entry into TPP talks contradicts the promise the party made during the election campaign.

The LDP made its comeback to power after winning in the last general election by promising voters that it will not participate in the TPP negotiations aimed at removing all tariffs; it will defend Japan’s universal healthcare insurance system; it will protect food safety; and it will not agree with the ISD provisions. The party also promised two other safeguards regarding the TPP.

JCP Kami at a House of Councilors Budget Committee meeting asked the government leaders if they intend to keep their word.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo answered that he will stick firmly to the promise the LDP made to voters during the election campaign.

Agriculture Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said that he thinks it would be difficult to join in the talks if they run contrary to the LDP election promise.

The JCP lawmaker warned that the multinational free trade will regard Japan’s regulations on residual pesticides, food additives, and postharvest chemicals in addition to Japan’s mandatory labeling of GMOs as trade barriers, constituting a contradiction with the LDP commitments to uphold Japan’s food safety standards.

Kami said that the elimination of trade barriers will affect all areas of people’s lives, from public healthcare services to the finance and insurance industries and not food products alone, which questions the essence of national sovereignty.

Abe in response said, “I agree that defending the universal healthcare insurance system is a matter of our country’s sovereignty. It is also incumbent to adhere to the food safety standards.”

Kami again demanded that the government keep its promises and commitments and stop hinting at participating in the TPP talks, given that lifting all tariffs without exceptions is the core principle of the TPP agreement.

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> Opposition to TPP