JCP Inoue demands local suffrage for permanent foreign residents be granted without delay

Japan Press Weekly

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JCP Inoue demands local suffrage for permanent foreign residents be granted without delay

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi has stated that based on national discussions, local suffrage for permanent foreign residents in Japan should be granted as soon as possible.

This statement was made at a meeting held by the National Association of Chairpersons of Prefectural Assemblies on February 9 to exchange views on this issue with Diet members of all political parties.

Inoue said, “They live in Japanese communities and carry out their duties and responsibilities, including payment of local, prefectural, and national taxes. Recognizing their right to vote is consistent with the spirit of local autonomy under the Japanese Constitution.

Among the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development member states, only the Japanese government refuses to provide local suffrage to foreigners who have permanent residency status. Inoue added that the JCP submitted its bill to provide voting rights to permanent residents to the Diet in 1998.

The JCP bill allows permanent foreign residents in Japan not only the right to vote but also to run for local elected offices, and does not take the position that suffrage should only be granted to a permanent resident in Japan when his/her home country provides suffrage to Japanese who have permanent residency status.

Inoue demanded that local assemblies lead discussions about the issue and consider how foreigners who contribute to local communities can participate in building local autonomy.

- Akahata, February 10, 2010