Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 17 - 23 [WELFARE]

Gov’t should halt pension cut program: pensioners’ union chair

Public anger has been growing at a law to cut pension benefits which was forcibly enacted last year by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties, with the support of the Democratic Party and the Japan Restoration Party. In regard to this issue, Akahata interviewed Tomita Hiroyasu, the newly-elected chair of the All-Japan Pensioners’ Union. The following is a summary of the interview:

In accordance with the law, the government led by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is aiming to cut benefits by a total of 2.5% in three stages. Their plan is to reduce benefits by 1% in December this year, another 1% in June 2014, and a further 0.5% in June 2015.

In the meantime, the administration plans to increase the consumption tax rate in April 2014 from the current 5% to 8% and has adopted an easy-money policy with an eye to achieving the price rise target of 2%.

If the consumption tax rate and commodity prices are raised at the same time as the planned reduction of pension benefits, more and more elderly people will likely fall into poverty. We cannot tolerate such outrageous misgovernment.

Our union launched a signature campaign in January this year to press the government to cancel the reduction program, collecting more than 100,000 signatures in only half a year. According to reports from across the country, some people lined up to sign the petition after listening to campaigners’ appeal, and others asked for petition forms so they can collect more signatures themselves.

The union decided at its regular convention last month that all the more than 110,000 members will file administrative complaints if the pension cuts are implemented. We will work to strengthen our movements through calling on other groups such as local senior citizens’ clubs for cooperation.