Abolish state's share of burdens for Dietmembers' pension

The Japanese Communist Party has made public its view that the state's share of burdens for Dietmembers' pension scheme should be abolished.

The JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on March 8 stated at a press conference that this system is a very privileged one that needs drastic reform. "The pension should be paid within the limits of premiums paid by Dietmembers," he said.

Presently, the government pays more than 70 percent of premiums of the pension to be paid to retired lawmakers.

The JCP has repeatedly called for the present system to be revised drastically in the Diet since 1982.

In Japan, people are eligible to receive national pension after they have paid the premiums for 25 years. Lawmakers, however, are qualified to receive their pension after only 10 years or more of service.

In addition, the rate of the state's share of burden for the parliamentarian's pension is 72.7 percent in the FY2004 draft budget basis, while the rate for the basic national pension is one-third. (end)