Kan administration must listen to public criticism: Shii

Japan Press Weekly

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

Kan administration must listen to public criticism: Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo asked Prime Minister Kan Naoto about his stance on the U.S. Futenma base relocation issue and the money-politics scandals involving the former two top leaders of the Democratic Party of Japan.

On June 14, in his allotted question time at the plenary session of the House of Representatives, Shii said that if Prime Minister Kan intends to mislead the public into thinking that these issues are settled due to former Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio’s resignation, it is “absolutely impermissible.”

Shii called on Kan, as DPJ leader, to take the initiative to induce the sworn testimony by former DPJ Secretary General Ozawa Ichiro before the Diet.

Shii cited the fact that in Okinawa in July 2001 when Kan was DPJ Secretary General, he had stated, “There is no problem with the U.S. Marines going back to their homeland. When the DPJ takes power, we will definitely appeal to the U.S. government to do so.” Shii urged Kan to scrap the bilateral agreement on the U.S. Futenma base which includes the construction of a new base in Nago City in Okinawa and to demand the unconditional return of the Futenma base.

Kan, however, assumed a defiant attitude and said, “The deterrence of the U.S. forces in Japan, including the U.S. Marines, is extremely important for Japan’s security.”

Shii pointed out that as Kan mentioned in his policy speech, if he seeks to establish “a strong economy,” “robust public finances,” and “a strong social security system,” the need now is to drastically change the government policy from its pro-business one to one supporting people’s livelihoods.

Referring to the business circle’s arrogant demands, including an increase in the consumption tax and cuts in the corporate taxes, Shii rhetorically asked, “To build ‘robust public finances’ means to increase the consumption tax rate in order to cover a deficit in the tax revenues due to tax breaks for large corporations in compliance with the financial circle’s self-centered demands, doesn’t it?”

Kan in his reply refused to accept Shii’s view that he is influenced by the business world’s request but he expressed his willingness to increase the consumption tax rate and to reduce the corporate taxes.

- Akahata, June 15, 2010