Shii: Prime Minister Koizumi's "reform" will make people suffer more and wreck economy

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro delivered his first policy speech in the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors Plenary Sessions on May 7, promising to carry out structural reforms in all areas.

Calling his cabinet a "Cabinet to carry out reforms," Koizumi said that the first step toward reforms should be a constitutional change to establish a system of electing the prime minister by plebiscite.

Commenting on Koizumi's policy speech, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said, "In the speech he used the word 'reform' 37 times. Clearly he is intent on forcing the people to endure pains which reforms might entail. 'Bear the pain today, and you will be better tomorrow' is ill-founded and is not what actually takes place."

Shii pointed out that the same logic was used in the name of "reform" in 1997 when a 9 trillion yen (74 billion dollars) burden was imposed on the people, including the consumption tax increase and increased medical fees. He said the present major economic recession is the consequence of these policies.

Shii went on to say: "The prime minister said that the first thing on the reform's agenda is a prompt and 'final disposal of nonperforming loans.' If major banks cut off small-and medium-sized enterprises in financial difficulties as nonperforming borrowers, the consequence will be massive unemployment and business failures, which will wreck Japan's economy. This means that the prime minister will impose pain on the people in the name of "reform" without showing any perspective for the future. This is the way to wreck Japan's economy and society. It is imperative for a government to care for the people's living conditions, above anything else. Only an aberrant government can publicly promise pain for the people."

In relation to Prime Minister Koizumi's reference to a plebiscite on electing the prime minister, which is conducive to constitutional revision and wartime legislation, Shii said, "The hawk's talons are showing." (end)