2004 MARCH 31 - APRIL 6 NEWS

TOP DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER
Admiral Thomas Fargo of the U.S. Pacific Command indicated the possible deployment of an advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Yokosuka in 2008

DIET BEGINS DISCUSSING MAJOR ADVERSE REVISION OF PENSION SYSTEM
The government bill calls for increasing premiums affecting 70 million people in the public pension plans and cut benefits for 30 million pensioners.

TOKYO TEACHERS PUNISHED OVER 'HINOMARU' AND 'KIMIGAYO'
Seventy-five senior high school teachers filed appeals against their punishment "for the refusal to stand and sing the national anthem at graduation exercises."

U.S. FORCES
N-powered aircraft carrier
* Peace groups protest against deployment of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Yokosuka Port
* JCP Shii calls for popular struggle against deployment of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
'Sympathy budget'
* Bow ties and tuxedos -- Japan's 'sympathy budget' for U.S. Forces in Japan in 2004
SOFA
No safety without national sovereignty -- Akahata editorial, April 6

IRAQ
* Don't use civil airlines for troops transport

CONSTITUTION
* Justice minister quits the post of pro-constitutional revision group's vice chair

RETIRING OFFICIALS
* Ex-ministry officials assigned jobs in 23 national universities

QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE
* Tokyo teachers punished over 'Hinomaru' and 'Kimigayo'
* Tokyo teachers demand nullification of punishment over 'Hinomaru' and 'Kimigayo' issue

LABOR
* Court rules dismissals as unjustified
* Nestle Japan eliminates paid coffee breaks for workers

ECONOMY & LIVELIHOODS
Consumption tax
15 years of the consumption tax has revealed government lies regarding making money for social services -- Akahata editorial, April 1 (excerpts)
Pension System
* JCP proposes pension system that guarantees 50,000 yen a month
* Diet begins discussing major adverse revision of pension system
Business confidence
* Business confidence improving only among big firms

BSE
* Opposition parties submit bills to require BSE tests to other countries

HUMAN RIGHTS
* Arrest of civil servant for distributing flyers exposed at U.N. Human Rights Commission
* JAL's forced night flight shifts reported to U.N. Human Rights Commission
* New organization established to promote human rights in local communities

HIBAKUSHA
* Court orders government to recognize Hibakusha's hepatitis C as caused by A-Bomb

ACCIDENTS
* JCP calls for law for prevention of revolving-door accidents

TOKYO
* JCP demands apology from Tokyo governor for a slander


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