JCP holds 2,500 talks on economy

The Japanese Communist Party has visited more than 2,500 organizations and individuals to explain its emergency proposal to solve problems arising from the present economic crisis.

The proposal, which was published on March 23, calls for the consumption tax rate to be reduced to three percent from the present five percent, the adverse revision plan of social security to be frozen, and corporate restructuring to be controlled in order to create jobs and help small- and medium-sized businesses.

JCP committee members, both central and local, have discussed with a wide range of organizations and individuals, including the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, the National Federation of Shopping District Promotion Associations, the Japan Housewives Association, the Japan Seinendan (Rural youth groups) Council, the National Federation of Elderly People, the Japan Pharmacist Association, the National Social Welfare Council, and local government heads.

The Japan Chain-store Association received JCP representatives for the first time since 1990.

Discussion between JCP representatives and those organizations sometimes lasted more than one hour. When visited by the JCP, an association official supporting a Liberal Democratic Party candidate said that the LDP would become more corrupt if nothing is done to resolve its present problems. A village mayor told JCP members who called on the mayor that he agrees with the JCP proposal. (end)