We Will Fight Until the Pension Bill is Withdrawn
(10 December 1999)
In the afternoon on December 7 at the Health and Welfare Committee the retrogressive Pension System Bills were approved with revisions by both the ruling parties and the government, despite RENGO's full efforts to block them. The package was approved at the following primary session of the House of Representatives by a majority of the ruling parties and passed by the House of Representatives, along with mutual aid pension systems revision bills.
RENGO responded the same day stating that "the Pension Bill package sent to the House of Councilors is a major step backward. We will never allow it to be put into effect during this extraordinary Diet session." RENGO will continue to conduct a thorough examination and seek the realization of a new 'safe and reliable pension system' with the consent of the nation.

President and Secretary General Encourage Sit-in
(10 December 1999)

Photo: President Washio rushed to add his encouragement (December 3, in front of the Diet)

photoOur comrades continued their sit-in in front of the Diet day after day in the icy-cold wind and were visited and received encouragement from President Washio on December 3 and Secretary General Sasamori on December 8.

On December 3, in front of the Diet President Washio told them, "the memory of those labor members in the Pension Council who had to resign last March is still fresh in our minds. Since that time, the government has ignored RENGO's claims, even submitting the Pension Bill package in the ongoing Diet session and forcing its passage. We cannot disregard such arrogance." He further expressed his determination saying, "Pensions are a matter of concern for every citizen. We must let deliberations over the package continue at the current session and present a pension system reform that the people can accept via deliberations in the House of Councilors. Let's fight this through to the end as one united RENGO."
Touching upon the Liberal Democratic Party's criticism of Secretary General Sasamori leaving his seat at a public hearing in the Health and Welfare Committee in the House of Representatives he stated, "it is preposterous to say that he [SG Sasamori] is conceited. His action resulted from his desire to reflect the will of the nation and for careful deliberation."
Secretary General Sasamori rushed to the front of the Diet on December 8.
"The reason why the LDP is hurrying the approval of the bills is because they, under pressure from the Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (NOKYO), want to integrate the ruptured Agriculture and Forestry Pension with the Welfare Pension. (If the bills are approved) pension provisions for a couple who have paid their premiums month religiously for 40 years would only amount to ¥149,000, even less than relief payments of ¥150,000." Further, he urged, "Let us stop this horrible government bill. Let us hold out for reform that benefits the entire nation."

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