Japan Press Weekly

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2012 June 27 - July 3 [WELFARE]

Kanagawa women say No to plan to wipe out all local public institutions

Women’s groups in Kanagawa Prefecture on June 26 demanded that the prefectural government reject a proposed budget cut plan to close almost all public facilities.

Last month, an external advisory group to the prefectural government proposed a plan to shut down all public institutions other than police stations and schools operated by the government within 3 years and to freeze subsidies to municipalities and organizations. Governor Kuroiwa Yuji appreciated the proposal as providing a “clear message”.

Meeting with prefectural government officials, the women’s groups criticized the advisory group for giving no consideration to the public need for the facilities and the subsidies.

One of the women said, “As those facilities were gradually established to meet residents’ needs, it is unconscionable to do away with all of them within a few years.” Another stressed, “If the government needs to cut expenses, it should reduce subsidy payments to large corporations first.”

An official replied that he will report their demands to the governor.