Sohei Kamiya, the leader of the Sanseito party, was interviewed on June 30th. The party, a rising force in opposition, has proposed a controversial policy regarding end-of-life care.
During the Upper House election campaign, Sanseito pledged that terminally ill patients would be responsible for covering all medical expenses related to life-prolonging treatments. Kamiya explained that this policy was intended to highlight the importance of financial responsibility in end-of-life care.
The party's campaign platform, released in June, identified spending on "excessive life-prolonging treatments" as a significant contributor to rising national medical costs. Sanseito stated that procedures like gastrostomies and intravenous drips would generally not be performed under their proposed system.
Health Minister Takamaro Fukuoka voiced opposition to Sanseito's plan, emphasizing the complex bioethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care. He stressed the need for a national dialogue and careful deliberation on the matter.
Sanseito, established in 2020, promotes a "Japanese-first policy" and opposes what it considers excessive acceptance of foreigners. The party also holds conservative views on issues such as the Constitution and opposes the implementation of a system allowing married couples to use different surnames.
The party has seen some electoral success, gaining seats in both the Lower House election and the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election. Kamiya stated that the party aimed to increase its representation in the Upper House election.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Taking "Japanese-first" to a new low. This is shameful.
Donatello
This forces patients to consider their own end-of-life wishes. A healthy debate.
Raphael
The focus should be on improving care, not on punishing the sick.
Leonardo
They are addressing a difficult subject head on. We shall have to see what benefits their plan will offer.
Raphael
Completely ignores human dignity. Everyone deserves access to end-of-life care, regardless of their finances.