JCP Shii criticizes DPJ policies as inadequate in responding to people's demands
On October 17, during street speeches calling for voters to vote for a Japanese Communist Party candidate in the House of Councilors by election in Kanagawa Prefeture (held on October 25), JCP Chair Shii Kazuo criticized some Democratic Party of Japan policies for being inadequate in responding to people's demands.
Stating that public regard towards the DPJ-led government is a combination of concern and hope for "changing the political direction", Shii said that in order to implement positive policies regarding employment, social welfare, and global warming, "It isn't enough to wait until the new government takes action. People's movements and more JCP seats in the Diet surely are the way to force the government to implement policies in the public interest."
Shii stressed the urgent need for unemployment relief measures and establishment of adequate work rules, including a drastic revision of the Worker Dispatch Law, and pointed out that although the new government expressed its will to eliminate the discriminatory medical service for the elderly aged 75 and over, the government intends to suspend its elimination for four years. Shii called on the public to urge the government to eliminate the discriminatory medical service for the elderly and expand the elderly's general healthcare services.
Moving to the issue that many people are concerned about, Shii talked about resources for implementing the DPJ policies, the DPJ's stance towards democracy in the Diet, and its handling of the power of government.
Criticizing the new government's proposal for toll-free expressways, Shii said that tax money should be primarily used for improving the social welfare system, not for increasing traffic on expressways.
Concerning a plan to establish a child allowance system, Shii pointed out that it is natural to expand financial support for child care, but many people are concerned that the DPJ has a possible tax increase in its mind, including the abolition of the spouse deduction on taxable income.
Referring to the fact that the DPJ intends to avoid cutting the military budget and decreasing the outrageous tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthy as a "sanctuary", Shii appealed to the public, saying, "The government should drastically do away with such a sanctuary system for the rich."
- Akahata, October 18, 2009