February 25&26, 2013
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2013 February 20 - 26 [POLITICS]
Actions against TPP take place throughout Japan |
Banzai Akira, president of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), told reporters on February 25 that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s campaign pledge in December’s general election contradicts Abe’s remarks on the TPP issue following the summit meeting. “Abe and his government should not break promises made,” he said. That day, Japan Fisheries Cooperatives president Hattori Ikuhiro issued a statement opposing the free trade deal.
In Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, critical voices against the TPP have arisen from various fields. JA-Hokkaido chair Tobita Toshiaki expressed opposition to the pact, saying, “Taking part in the TPP talks will create serious problems for the future of our community.” Hokkaido Medical Association chair Nagase Kiyoshi pointed out that participation in the negotiations will lead to a complete lifting of a ban on mixed medical services in which insured medical treatments and uncovered procedures are provided simultaneously, and on the running of medical institutions by private companies as well as deregulation of the price of medical supplies and devices. “The very foundation of Japan’s universal health insurance program could be undermined,” he stated.
Hokkaido Governor Takahashi Harumi said on February 23, “My opinion remains unchanged; I am firmly opposed to Japan’s entry into the TPP talks without a national consensus.”
Other organizations also published their statements against the pact; the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the National Federation of Merchant and Industrialist’s Organizations (Zenshoren), the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-Iren), the Japanese Medical and Dental Practitioners for improvement of Medical Care (Hodanren), the Central Action Committee against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Anpo-Haki), and the Consumers Union of Japan.
The Japanese Communist Party on February 24 carried out actions nationwide to call for opposition to the free trade agreement. In Tokyo, JCP Vice-Chair Koike Akira delivered a speech in front of Shinjuku Station.
Koike said, “Whether Japan will participate in the TPP talks or not is a serious issue that splits public opinion in two. It’s inexcusable for the prime minister to have made a promise to the U.S. president without discussing the matter in the Diet.”
He warned that if Japan joins the TPP, an “American style” system will be brought into every area, including agriculture, medical services and intellectual property rights, and Japan will fall prey to U.S. interests. He stressed the need to change the Japanese government’s policies completely subservient to U.S. government.
Feature Articles:
> Opposition to TPP
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