Sit-in held to protest against closure of three metropolitan children’s hospitals

Japan Press Weekly

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

Sit-in held to protest against closure of three metropolitan children’s hospitals

In the cold rainy weather in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings, December 11 marked the 6th day of a Tokyo citizen’s sit-in protest against the closure of three metropolitan children’s hospitals in Kiyose, Hachioji, and Umegaoka.

Tokyo residents cast a questioning eye on the Democratic Party of Japan which changed its position to accept the closure of three children’s hospitals, although it had promised to oppose the closure during the July Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.

In its election platform issued in July, the DPJ clearly stated, “As well as public hospitals, including metropolitan hospitals and city-run hospitals, any necessary hospitals should be maintained.” Many DPJ members won the July Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election by pledging to keep the three children’s hospitals open.

For example, DPJ Tokyo Assembly member Yamashita Taro, who was a candidate in the constituency where Kiyose Children’s Hospital is located, expressed his objection to Tokyo’s plan to consolidate the three children’s hospitals in his March activity report. In the July election, he publicly declared that Kiyose Children’s Hospital should be maintained.

As well as Yamashita, other DPJ candidates for constituencies where Hachioji and Umegaoka hospitals are located clearly opposed Tokyo’s plan to abolish children’s hospitals.

Expressing her mistrust, a mother said, “I voted for the DPJ because they promised to oppose the closure. I want them to keep their promise.”

Another mother said, “I’m shocked because the DPJ changed its position. After the July election, whenever I asked people to sign a petition against the closure of the three children’s hospitals, they said that the three hospitals will be maintained because the DPJ promised. I want the DPJ to rethink its change of heart.”

- Akahata, December 12, 2009