Which party represents citizens’ demands?

Japan Press Weekly

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

Which party represents citizens’ demands?

“I wish the earth would swallow me up.” This is what a rookie parliamentarian of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan said on April 7 at an assembly hearing on a bill to revise the Worker Dispatch Law, organized by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

Many participants reported on their hardships as temporary workers. One person said, “I was working for 13 years as a temporary employee, hoping to have a regular position someday. But I was dismissed suddenly without warning.” Another person said, “I have to take care of my children and my old mother. It is so hard to make enough money for us to live on.”

In response to their reports, DPJ House of Representatives member Kyono Kimiko said in her speech, “I was shocked to realize there are many people with such serious problems. I’m so embarrassed that I wish the earth would swallow me up.”

Then this ruling party Dietmember said,” I know the proposed bill is not enough. But after the cabinet approved it, there’s almost nothing we can do. I’m so sorry.”

The other parliamentarian attending the gathering was Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Yamashita Yoshiki. Criticizing the bill as leaving loopholes for continuing the disposable use of temporary workers, Yamashita mentioned that the government initially planned to lift a ban on employers’ interviewing of temporary workers before hiring them. “Thanks to your struggle, the government had to give up including that provision in the bill. The ruling parties cannot insist that they can no longer revise it,” he said to the participants.

Calling for further efforts to be made for the enactment of a better bill, Yamashita received a big round of applause from the participants. The assembly has clearly illustrated which party works for and represents the public interest.

- Akahata, April 8, 2010