 JCP publishes its Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election platform The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Committee has published a list of its main policies for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election scheduled for this July. Wakabayashi Yoshiharu, JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Committee Chair, explained the election platform at a press conference on January 17. Part one is given to policies to block the extraordinary budget cuts for welfare services. Pointing out that almost all parties in the metropolitan assembly except the JCP are supporting Governor Ishihara Shintaro in the welfare cuts, Wakabayashi said, "The JCP will call on voters to pass judgment on political parties based on this major election issue and stress the need to change away from the present direction of metropolitan politics." The second part is devoted to paving the way for realizing residents' various demands, including a reduction of class sizes in public schools to under 30 students. The third part is about improving the environment and disaster prevention measures instead of promoting the construction of skyscrapers and highways. The last part is a call for an end to forcing teachers and students to sing "Kimigayo" and hoist the "Hinomaru" flag at school ceremonies. Wakabayashi criticized this policy as an infringement of the constitutional freedom of conscience and said, "It is necessary to give the residents' verdict on the parties supporting this unconstitutional policy." (end) |