JCP opposes supplementary budget

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP opposes supplementary budget

The Democratic Party of Japan in the House of Representatives voted in favor of the fiscal 2008 supplementary budget on October 8 without asking any questions to the government.

The House Budget Committee spent only three days on the bill’s discussion.

The bill was passed by the majority vote of the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and People’s New parties as well as the DPJ and was sent to the House of Councilors on the same day. The Japanese Communist and Social Democratic parties voted against it.

At the House of Representatives Plenary Session JCP representative Kasai Akira criticized the government for failing to make any critical review of its “structural reform” policy that has increased poverty and widened social gaps.

“The need now is to fundamentally change policy from one of ensuring that major exporters can make more profits into one of using the economy system to increase domestic demand and strengthen the household economy,” said Kasai.

On the same day, the DPJ also requested that the House of Representatives skip further discussions to take a vote on the bill to extend the Japanese Self-Defense Force refueling mission in the Indian Ocean after only one day of discussion at the special committee.

JCP representative Sasaki Kensho insisted that the bill should be discussed at the House of Representatives Plenary Session since it is so important, but the DPJ’s proposal was supported by the ruling parties and approved.

- Akahata, October 9, 2008