Shii explains two main tasks of JCP as 'constructive opposition party'

Japan Press Weekly

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

Shii explains two main tasks of JCP as 'constructive opposition party'

In a speech before the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan on August 21, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo gave his view on the features of the general election campaign and explained the JCP electoral strategy.

Shii opened his remarks by stating, "The focus of the election is shifting to a discussion about a new political direction to be established after forcing the Liberal Democratic Party-Komei Party coalition to relinquish power."

He said that the JCP, as a constructive opposition party, will cooperate with a Democratic Party-led government, which might be established after the election, if it aims to implement policies in the public interest. "We will oppose its detrimental policies to carry forward the struggle to defend the public interest," he said.

Shii said that the JCP will cooperate with a new government on the revision of the Worker Dispatch Law and the abolition of the notorious health insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and older. He said, however, that the JCP will firmly oppose promotion of negotiations on a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA), cutting the number of Diet seats elected from proportional representation blocks, revising Article 9 of the Constitution, and increasing the consumption tax.

The Democratic Party of Japan, which will likely become a governing party after the election, is calling for making expressways free at the cost of 1.3 trillion yen.

Shii, however, said that the JCP will make a counterproposal that the 1.3 trillion yen should be used to establish a system to provide free medical services for children and the elderly aged 75 and over.

The DPJ also calls for child-support allowances in return for the abolition of tax deductions for dependents in order to squeeze resources needed to this end.

Shii said, "By doing this, overall tax for about six million households will be higher." He said that the JCP stands firm against any measures that force people to pay more."

He stated that the JCP looks to a new Japan breaking away from "the politics centering on business circles and the Japan-U.S. military alliance" and becoming "a society that puts people first," along with putting "peace diplomacy" into practice based on Article 9 of the Constitution.

Answering a question from a correspondent, "Don't you think that excluding rice from items in the Japan-U.S. FTA negotiations won't deal a devastating blow on Japan?" Shii replied, "The tariff on industrial products from the U.S. has already been reduced. The only items remaining are agricultural products, including rice. In fact, the U.S. ambassador to Japan clearly states that his country 'will not sign an FTA excluding agriculture'. That's why the JCP is opposing entering the FTA negotiations."

- Akahata, August 22, 2009