Lawmakers voice opposition to giving foreign residents right to vote

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TOKYO, April 17 Kyodo -
A group of conservative lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties on
Saturday voiced their opposition to proposed legislation to enfranchise
permanent foreign residents for local elections.
Shizuka Kamei, who leads the People's New Party, addressed a gathering of
people against the proposed legislation in Tokyo, saying, ''The right to vote
for foreigners will ruin Japan.''
''It will not be enacted during the current parliamentary session because the
People's New Party has invoked a veto (within the government of Prime Minister
Yukio Hatoyama),'' said Kamei, who is a Cabinet member within the tripartite
coalition government.
While Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan is aiming to pass the legislation,
at least one member is apparently opposed.
Jin Matsubara, a House of Representative member of the DPJ, told the meeting,
''There is an argument that Europe is positive about enfranchising (foreigners)
but that does not hold water in Japan. I am unequivocally opposed. It's my
belief that it is necessary to faithfully speak up (about the issue) within the
party.''
Meanwhile, Mizuho Fukushima, a Cabinet member and leader of the Social
Democratic Party of Japan that partners the DPJ and PNP in the government,
reiterated her endorsement of the proposed legislation.
''It's not about all foreigners and it's also limited to local elections,'' she
told reporters in Odate, Akita Prefecture. ''Participation in the local
community is necessary, as some countries have approved it.''
Objections to the bill were also expressed by opposition lawmakers at the Tokyo
meeting. Tadamori Oshima, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party,
''We must protect Japan's sovereignty. I am absolutely opposed.''
Yoshimi Watanabe, leader of Your Party, suggested that enfranchising foreign
residents is a vote-buying tactic. ''The Democratic Party says livelihood is
the No. 1 issue, but in fact aren't elections their No. 1 business?'' he said.
Takeo Hiranuma, who leads the just launched Sunrise Party of Japan, said he
''will stake his life in fighting'' against the legislation.
==Kyodo
2010-04-17 23:59:39