Statement by Yasuchika Hasegawa, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
On Approval of the Legislation Related to the Unified Reform of
Social Security and Tax at the House of Representatives

June 26, 2012

Yasuchika Hasegawa
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and Komei party’s revised legislation related to the unified reform of tax and social security system was submitted to the House of Representatives and duly approved in a vote today. I hope that the deliberation at the House of Councilors will proceed without delay, and lead to the quick passage of the bill.

The approval of this bill is extremely important not only as a measure to ensure financial resources for social security, but also to demonstrate the cabinet’s strong resolution to realize fiscal rehabilitation. At the same time, the government has been delaying other important reforms such as the containment of benefits and correction of inter-/intra-generational disparities through social security system reforms. Under such circumstances, a National Council on Social Security Reforms should be established to realize debate by experts and the Diet members from all parties to come to the earliest possible realization of the truly unified reform of the social security and tax systems.

In addition, we encourage the government to consider other important issues, such as electoral system reform and economic partnership agreements including Trans-Pacific Partnership; we urge the government to make steady progress on this myriad of issues awaiting timely resolution.

Japanese version