2006budget2

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

1.2 million signatures in petition submitted to the Diet

About 1.2 million signatures bearing people's opposition to a planned major tax increase, adverse revision of medical systems, and constitutional amendment were collected from around the country and submitted to the Diet.

The petition was called for jointly by three democratic organizations, the Cut Military Expenditure and Improve Welfare and Education People's Big Movement organizing committee, the Central Council for Promotion of Social Security, and the Central Action Committee for Abrogation of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

About 260 activists handed these signatures to Japanese Communist Party lawmakers.

Kokubu Minoru, National Federation of Traders and Producers Organizations chair, encouraged participants to collect more signatures.

Explaining the Diet situation, JCP lawmakers Yoshii Hidekatsu and Kami Tomoko stressed that "public anger against undemocratic politics is changing the atmosphere in the Diet. Let's push the Koizumi Cabinet into a corner."

Takahashi Yoko, 67, a member of the National Federation for Safeguarding People's Life and Health (Zenseiren) from Adachi Ward in Tokyo, said, "Many citizens come to our tax counseling assemblies for advice. There are also people seeking help to apply for Metropolitan government-run housing.

Pension benefits have been cut every year, while taxes are soaring. We can no longer keep silent and endure the present hardships."
- Akahata, March 2, 2006