Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 November 26 - December 2 [POLITICS]

Debate between party leaders highlights JCP vs. LDP match

With the official kickoff of the general election campaign approaching, debate programs between party leaders took place on TV and the Internet, showing the Japanese Communist Party facing off against and presenting counterproposals to the Abe government.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on November 30 appeared on televised debate programs broadcast by Fuji TV Network and NHK, calling for the cancellation of the government plan to raise the consumption tax rate to 10% in April 2017 in the guise of securing social welfare funds. He presented alternative ways to secure resources needed for social welfare programs through taxing the rich and boosting the income of ordinary people.

Other parties (DPJ, Japan Innovation Party - former Japan Restoration Party) agreed to a tax hike “conditionally” after cutting the number of Diet seats. In response to their stance, Shii stated, “They are misleading the general public. What will be cut with cuts in the Diet seats is the weight of public opinion.”

Shii went on to say, “The LDP depends on public funds for 65% of its income, the DPJ 80%, and the JIP 70%. While they are heavily dependent on tax money, they want to impose a heavier tax rate on the general public. Isn’t that ridiculous?” He said that the JCP wants to abolish the system of government subsidies to political parties.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo claimed with pride that his diplomacy boosted infrastructure exports, but Shii pointed out that what Abe believes as diplomatic activities is promoting Japan’s exports of arms and nuclear power plants and asking other countries’ understanding for Japan’s implementation of the collective self-defense right.

Shii pointed out that Abe’s behavior actually caused a worsening of relations with China and South Korea, and went on to put forth the JCP vision of a peaceful framework to be introduced in the region as a means to resolve international disputes.

* * *

On the Internet debate streamed on the evening of November 29, PM Abe boasted that his Abenomics economic policy pushed up wages and created more jobs.

Shii in response said that the facts were contrary in terms of the real economy. He argued that Abenomics had negative impacts on Japan’s economy and increased social gaps further. “The LDP, the DPJ, and the Komei Party should be held responsible for the ongoing economic downturn fueled by the consumption tax hike to 8% in April. People’s wages have been decreasing for 15 consecutive months. Abenomics has no future. Japan urgently needs a policy change.”

Pledging to work on reforms to expand national income, Shii again demanded that the move to introduce the 10% consumption tax rate be cancelled.” Other parties, however, ignored the JCP opinion because they obviously wanted to avoid engaging in debate on the consumption tax.

Regarding the decision the Cabinet made in July to allow Japan’s exercise of the right to collective self-defense, the prime minister insisted, “The decision will protect people’s lives. It would be remiss of the government to not use the right.”

Shii refuted, “The collective self-defense right will not protect Japan or people’s lives. It will be used to drag Japan into wars abroad together with the United States,” and vowed to work to have the Cabinet decision retracted and to promote peace based on Article 9 of the Constitution.