Bill to cut pension payment passed through Lower House committee

The Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Democratic parties used their majority to pass a bill to reduce pension payments by 0.9 percent from April through the House of Representatives Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee on March 19, despite the Japanese Communist Party's firm opposition.

The bill, if enacted, would cut 371 billion yen in pension payments each year, adversely affecting at least 29.5 million citizens.

The government is also considering cutting 3 billion yen in special benefits, including those for disabled children, A-bomb survivors, and single-parent families.

Japanese Communist Party member Yamaguchi Tomio criticized the bill for further discouraging consumers from spending. "In the current economic situation, there is no sound reason to reduce pension payments," Yamaguchi insisted. (end)