JCP has talks with artisan and cultural organizations

The Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers Group held a meeting with artistic and cultural organizations on February 26 to explore ways to utilize the Basic Law for Promotion of Arts and Culture enacted in December 2001 to encourage central and local governments to increase support for artistic and cultural activities.

Some 90 people from 37 organizations, including the Japan Council of Performers' Organizations and the Recording Industry Association of Japan, were present.

Ishii Ikuko, JCP vice chair, reported on the JCP's five-point proposal for making full use of the law, introducing tax relief for artistic and cultural organizations, and applying social welfare programs to specialists.

Matsuyama Seiji, Japan Actors Union managing director, said that a planned 100 million yen cut in the subsidy to the New National Theater in Tokyo will mean a loss of three rounds of drama performances in the theater annually.

The representative of the Directors Guild of Japan complained that the subsidy to the movie industry is only one billion yen, although they need ten times that.

Other participants demanded that their working conditions be improved so that compensation for work-related accidents be established and cultural administration be made better. (end)