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

JCP Ichida criticizes Koizumi 'reform' policy on TV program

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on a TV discussion program aired on June 18 criticized the "reform" policy promoted by Koizumi Jun'ichiro, who will resign as the prime minister in September, and demanded a drastic change of policy.

Ichida pointed out that the Koizumi "reform" has created "a society benefiting only a handful of corporations in complete disregard of working people and small business owners" by forcing the public to pay an extra 13 trillion yen while giving large corporations 12 trillion yen in tax breaks in the past five years. He asserted that such a society "will not last long."

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Takebe Tsutomu boasted "an upturn in the economy," and Komei Party Secretary General Fuyushiba Tetsuzo came around to endorse Takebe's view.

Ichida argued, "Only a handful of large corporations are benefiting from the 'reform' policy. The public at large does not feel an economic recovery."

He asked, "If the economy has really recovered, why doesn't the government levy taxes on large corporations as before?"

Ichida pointed out that the yearly income of salaried workers has been reduced by 900,000 yen compared to its peak in 1997, that households living on public assistance increased to one million, and that one in every two young people or women are working as contingent workers with less than two million yen of yearly income in sharp contrast to some companies having made more than one trillion yen.

In response, Takebe said, "I didn't say there is no problem," and Fuyushiba said, "I didn't mean the economy is recovered for everyone."

Ichida demanded that large corporations return a proper share of their profits to society.
- Akahata, June 19, 2006