Disabled persons' call for 'Self-support' law to be repealed is increasing

Japan Press Weekly

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

Disabled persons' call for 'Self-support' law to be repealed is increasing

Three years have passed since the "self-support" assistance law came into effect despite strong opposition.

With parties that promised voters they would work to repeal the law expected to come to power soon, the disabled persons' movement demanding the abolition of the "self-support" law is increasing.

"We can't survive under the 'self-support' law that requires disabled persons to pay 10 percent of the cost for the services they receive. The 'self-support' assistance law should be abolished now."

In 2006, the "self-support" assistance law was enacted by the majority of the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties. Since then, disabled persons have been forced to pay more for the services that are essential in their everyday lives. When disabled persons use support facilities, they must pay for meals and utility costs.

Disabled persons and their supporters opposed the law, holding a rally in October 2006 with 15,000 people participating.

In August 2009, 63 disabled persons filed lawsuits against the government at 13 district courts across the country claiming that the "self-support" law is unconstitutional.

The Japanese Communist Party from the beginning opposed the law. After the law's enactment, the JCP conducted a survey three times on the law's effects on disabled persons. In 2008, based on the survey, the JCP published a proposal for new legislation to replace the present law.

The Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party, and the People's New Party are also in favor of the abolition of the "self-support" law.

About 100 people, including disabled persons, support facilities staff, and lawyers, on September 6 held a street action at a popular shopping district in Fukuoka City. The action was called by a group supporting the disabled persons' lawsuit.

Aoyagi Koji, a representative of a support group of the lawsuit in Tokyo, said, "We urge the new administration to repeal the "self-support" law as it promised to do. The new government should create a new law on general welfare services for the disabled that reflects disabled persons' opinions."

- Akahata, September 7, 2009