Stop Health Insurance Law Revision and 3 Military Emergency Legislation
1000 Worker Sit-in at Diet
(29 May 2002)
RENGO conducted a sit-in on May 29 in front of the national Diet. This activity was aimed to frustrate passage of the revised Health Insurance bill which is now under deliberation at the Diet, as well as to oppose passage of the three Military Emergency Legislation bills at the current Diet session. The entrance of the No. 2 Diet Members' Office Building of the Lower House was packed with approximately 1000 worker/demonstrators, many of whom were RENGO members. Many Upper and Lower House members from the opposition parties including Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Kan, Social Democratic Party Secretary General Fukushima, Liberal Party Chairman of Diet Affairs Committee Yamaoka, and Independent Party Representative Tanabu rushed to the activity. Each vowed to stop passage of these unfavorable laws.

Photo: 1000 workers, including 120 participants from ZENKEN-SOREN (General Federation of Construction Worker's Union), displayed their opposition to the passage of the bills. (May 29, Diet building.)
RENGO Assistant General Secretary Suzuki declared the start of the sit-in and emphasized that "we will bring the agenda into repeal in league with opposition parties" on the bill that would revise the Health Insurance Law. Suzuki severely criticized the three Emergency Defense Related Bills, saying that they are "totally defective products," and displayed a determined posture to stop their passage at the ongoing Diet session. Furthermore, as the ruling parties are showing signs of prolonging the session, he expressed his determination that "RENGO will push the struggle forward in solidarity with the united front of opposition parties to seek the early resignation of the Koizumi administration."

RENGO General Secretary Kusano spoke at the lunchtime rally stressing that "far more radical reform is necessary. The bill should be repealed," because it is problematic to have bureaucrats deciding medical examination expenses politically and fiscally in medical care system. Kusano strongly warned that the overall nature of the three Emergency Defense Related bills was still unclear and dangerous.
Finally Kusano called on to the participants "let our uncontrollable anger flow to the Diet, we will not be mocked." He closed the day's activities with three cheers.

150 Members Gather Together from Diet & Affiliates at May 17 Rally in the Diet
On May 17, RENGO President Sasamori and others strongly demanded the repeal of the Health Insurance Law revision bill to Democratic Party of Japan President Hatoyama, Social Democratic Party leader Doi, and Liberal Party Secretary General Fujii. RENGO also held a "5.17 Rally at the Diet/Stop Worsening the Health Insurance Law" at the No. 2 Diet Members' Office Building of the Lower House. Diet members from the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party, as well as members from affiliate organizations totaled 150, and each reaffirmed their determination to stop this law that would make matters worse.
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