JCP criticizes Tokyo governor's plan to cut welfare for people

The Japanese Communist Party criticized the metropolitan government for cutting expenditures on welfare and medical services while placing a high priority on large development investments.

At the assembly on June 18, on behalf of the JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Members Group, Oyama Tomoko urged Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro to withdraw such adverse policies.

Oyama said that Tokyo is the only prefecture among 12 large prefectures that have reduced public expenditure on social welfare and medical services since Ishihara became the Tokyo governor three years ago.

She pointed out that Ishihara has been cutting the social welfare benefits and the subsidies for elderly or disabled people's medical expenses under the name of "welfare reform."

Concerning the cuts in services at nursing homes and worsening conditions of child care centers, Oyama demanded that the metropolitan government improve its support projects for these homes and stop market forces from dominating these sectors. She also demanded that the plan to consolidate metropolitan government-run hospitals be reconsidered.

Referring to the total sum of Tokyo's debts now exceeding 7-trillion yen in the general account, she warned that Ishihara's large development-oriented policies will lead Tokyo to financial collapse and force the elderly and low income people out of the city.

Oyama pointed out that the number of patients with illness caused by pollution who receive medical charge assistance has increased by 60 percent to over 50,000 in the last decade, and warned that the large-scale development projects will result in an adverse impact on the environment, including air pollution and increased greenhouse effects.

Governor Ishihara answered, "Large development projects are essential to revitalize the economy in the Tokyo metropolitan district."

Oyama also criticized the governor for his remark in favor of the wartime legislation and review of the Three Non-nuclear Principles, and demanded retraction of the remark. (end)