2005 MARCH 16 - MARCH 22 NEWS

JCP: WITHDRAW NEW 'DEFENSE OUTLINE' AND MILITARY BUILDUP PROGRAM
The new "Defense Outline" and the five-year buildup program will change the SDF's major role into one of assisting U.S. forces outside of Japan and strengthen the U.S. military bases in Japan as centers for command and control and as stepping stones for preemptive attacks.

CONCERTED LABOR ACTION CALLS FOR WAGE INCREASES FOR ALL WORKERS
In all 47 prefectures about 250,000 workers carried out a concerted action on March 17 calling for wage increases for all workers, including part-time and other temporary workers.

DPJ SAYS IT NOW 'PREPARES TO BECOME GOVERNING PARTY'
The Democratic Party is saying that it is important to share common ground with the ruling parties instead of fighting each other, in dealing with issues that have a fundamental bearing on the country's politics, such as the Constitution, foreign policy, and national security.

U.S. BEEF
* U.S. management on BSE is sloppy: JCP (March 18, 2005)
* 'No souvenir for Ms Rice': farmers stage protest (March 18, 2005)
* Condoleezza Rice's misuse of 'international standards' (March 22, 2005)

POLITICS
* JCP takes on NHK executives on the question of political interference (March 16, 2005)
* Democratic Party 'prepares to become governing party' (March 22, 2005)

CONSTITUTION
* Japan P.E.N. Club calls for 'national referendum bill' to be withdrawn (March 17, 2005)

IRAQ WAR
* Withdraw troops from Iraq: 2nd anniversary of Iraq War (March 22, 2005)
* Together we create peace: High school students rally in Tokyo (March 22, 2005)
* Showing loyalty to U.S., Japan clings to SDF deployment in Iraq (March 22, 2005)
* Japan is used as permanent stepping stone for U.S. war against Iraq (March 22, 2005)

MILITARY
* JCP demands new 'Defense Outline' and military buildup program be withdrawn (March 16, 2005)

'Secret arrangements' have allowed U.S. forces to use Higashi Fuji exercise field -- Akahata editorial, March 16, 2005 (excerpts)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS-FREE
* Nuclear-free Kobe Port Formula's 30 years existence celebrated (March 22, 2005)

LABOR
* No wage hike in 2005 Spring Struggle despite largest-ever profits (March 17, 2005)
* Trade union movement can't be revived without caring for members' opinion (March 17, 2005)
* 250,000 workers take concerted action calling for wage increase for all workers (March 18, 2005)

PREWAR REPRESSION
* 'Yokohama incident' to be retried (March 17, 2005)

TAKESHIMA
* JCP Chair comments on Shimane prefecture's 'Takeshima Day' (March 17, 2005)

HUMAN RIGHTS
We need no suppressive 'human rights bill' -- Akahata editorial, March 17, 2005 (excerpts)

JCP
* JCP Shii receives Slovak ambassador (March 18, 2005)

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