Japan Press Weekly

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2014 September 24 - 30 [POLITICS]

Citizens stage day of action at opening of Diet session

Opposing the anti-people policies of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s government, many citizens and trade union activists held a day of action around the Diet building on September 29, the day the extraordinary Diet session opened.

In his policy speech in the Diet, Abe stressed that the main goal of this Diet session is to revitalize local economies. However, his economic policies are full of deregulatory measures such as promoting the establishment of special economic zones. He also showed his intent to push ahead with negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal, which will inevitably give a big blow to regional economies.

While saying that his administration will work to create a society in which women can more actively participate, Abe proposed no policies to address problems inhibiting women’s participation in society such as an increase in the number of contingent workers and the spread of long working hours.

On the other hand, the prime minister expressed his intention to prepare national security-related bills in line with the Cabinet decision in July which enables Japan to use the right to collective self-defense. He also noted that his government will make “all-out efforts” to construct a new U.S. military base in Okinawa’s Nago City, in defiance of the overwhelming opposition of Okinawans.

During the lunch hour, about 2,000 people took part in the protest rally held near the Diet building.

A 46-year-old woman from Tokyo’s Machida City held up a placard which symbolizes the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. “Abe is obsessed with how to wage wars abroad. To live a peaceful life, I will continue to fight until Abe steps down,” she said.

At the gathering, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki delivered a speech of solidarity.