Japan Press Weekly

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2012 December 19 - 25 [TOKYO]

JCP in Tokyo Assembly demands that new governor improve people’s living conditions

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members’ group on December 20 submitted to newly elected governor Inose Naoki a written request regarding the budget for fiscal 2013.

The JCP demanded that the governor allocate funds to reduce the premiums of the national health insurance, the medical insurance for the elderly aged 75 and over, and the nursing care insurance; raise the hourly minimum wage to 1,000 yen; build more special nursing homes for elderly people and authorized daycare centers and keep them in good condition; help small and medium-sized enterprises with their rent and lease expenses; and expand small-class sizes in elementary and junior high schools.

In talks with the governor, Oyama Tomoko, secretary-general of the JCP assemblypersons’ group, pointed out that Tokyoites are forced to endure harsh living conditions due to the deterioration of social welfare programs and the prolonged recession. She said, “It’s time for the metropolitan government to make an all-out effort to address and alleviate the suffering of local residents.”

The assemblywoman also requested the authorities to impose a higher tax on large corporations and financial institutions that have accumulated huge internal reserves, to restrain non-essential large-scale development projects, and to use the provident fund for inviting the Olympic Games for the improvement of people’s living standard.