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2003 FEB 5-FEB 11 JPS NEWS

THOROUGHGOING U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ ARE ESSENTIAL
It is important to take time to continue and even strengthen the necessary inspections, and the need now is for the international community to carry on the efforts within the U.N. framework to achieve a peaceful solution. more

ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR MALE WORKERS IN THEIR 30s IS FORCED TO WORK OVER 3,000 HOURS A YEAR
As a result of the introduction of various work systems, including discretionary work and flextime, as well as telework, tighter work schedules are being imposed on workers, forcing them into increased fatigue and stress. more

20,000 LISTEN TO FUWA'S CALL FOR JCP ADVANCE IN ELECTIONS
JCP Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo in a major JCP speech assembly spoke about the JCP's role on wide-ranging issues, from the economy to world peace and local politics. more

Iraq question
* Senior LDP official says only U.S. military power can end threats (February 5)
* Foreign minister insists on Japan's cooperation in war on Iraq (February 5)
* Lawyers request government's effort to avoid war on Iraq (February 6)

Thoroughgoing U.N. inspections are essential to a solution -- Akahata editorial, February 7
* Quake city residents attend rally against war on Iraq (February 11)

Article 9
* LDP calls for Article 9 to be changed (February 6)

U.S. forces
* Town gives up plan to host U.S. NLP base (February 5, 6)

Debates on budget
* JCP: Stop shifting heavier burden onto people (February 5)
* JCP in Upper House urges prime minister to change policy to support livelihood (February 6)
* JCP chair urges prime minister to give up plan for 4-trillion yen extra burden (February 8)

Illegal donations
* JCP says 82-million yen in donations to 19 ruling party politicians may be illegal (February 8)
* LDP is reluctant to stop taking illegal donations: JCP Ichida (February 11)

Medical 'reform'
* Doctors support opposition parties, calling for freeze on shifting heavier burden onto patients (February 7)

Abuse of medical accidents
* LDP Dietmember abuses medical accidents to defame JCP (February 7)
* JCP Shii states politics' role in medical accidents prevention (February 8)

LABOR
* One out of every four male workers in their 30s work over 3,000 hours a year (February 11)

HIBAKUSHA
* Korean Hibakusha wins government's allowance (February 10)

WWII
* Building up trust between Japan and Asia - Symposium on postwar compensation (February 11)

Elections
* More than 20,000 listen to Fuwa Tetsuzo's call for JCP advance in election (February 10)

Kobayashi Takiji

How prewar writer Kobayashi Takiji lived is contemporary question -- Akahata editorial, February 9