2005 MARCH 30 - APRIL 5 NEWS

COMPANY PROMISES COMPLIANCE WITH LAW IN TREATING ITS EMPLOYEES
In a 'human rights lawsuit' filed by two workers demanding that their company stop discriminating against them because of their JCP membership, Kurabo, a major Japanese fabrics manufacturer on March 31 promised to treat all employees equally, regardless of ideology or political affiliation.

U.S. MASTERMINDS JAPAN'S POSTAL PRIVATIZATION
The United States straightforward in urging Japan to carry out structural reform: 'Structural and regulatory reform not only contributes to growth, but also plays an enormous role in increasing market access opportunities for U.S. companies.'

JCP OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON POPE'S DEATH
JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said,"We have respect for Pope John Paul II's efforts in attaching great importance to communication with other faiths and between different cultures, and contributing to world peace by calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons as well as his opposition to the Iraq war.

POLITICS
* 3 parties do not want JCP or SDP in joint meeting on welfare (April 1, 2005)
* Lower House committee approves bill to designate Emperor Hirohito's birthday as 'Day of Showa': JCP opposes (April 2, 2005)

CONSTITUTION
* JCP criticizes commission's draft report for attempting constitutional revision (March 30, 2005)
* LDP committee's constitutional draft calls for deploying new military forces anywhere in the world (April 5, 2005)

POSTAL PRIVATIZATION

U.S. masterminds Japan's postal privatization -- Akahata editorial, April 3, 2005
* Ichida criticizes government for trying to force the people to accept privatization as established fact (April 5, 2005)

EDUCATION
* Tokyo Metropolitan Government to punish teachers for refusing to sing 'Kimigayo' (March 31, 2005)

U.S. FORCES
* USFJ to control civilian private land after U.S. aircraft accidents (April 2, 2005)
* Anti-base activists discuss ways to increase campaign (April 4, 2005)
* Local village opposes U.S. Marine unit relocation (April 5, 2005)

LABOR
* Industrial accidents on the increase in Japan (Part Three)
* Business circles call for easing regulations on 'discretionary' and use of contingent workers (March 29, 2005)
* 6.9 billion yen unpaid overtime for 2 years in TEPCO (March 31, 2005)
* Court: Dismissing part-time workers in order to outsource is illegal (March 31, 2005)
* Company promises compliance with law in treating its employees (April 1, 2005)
* Nikon and temp agency ordered to pay compensation for temp worker suicide (April 1, 2005)
* High court says union busting dismissals are invalid (April 1, 2005)
* Workers work 31 hours overtime a month (April 4, 2005)

HIBAKUSHA
* Court supports Hibakusha Azuma's claim (March 30, 2005)

ELECTION
Voters are changing -- Akahata 'Current' column, March 30, 2005
* JCP-supported candidate defeats incumbent mayor: Kodaira, Tokyo (April 5, 2005)

JCP
* JCP Shii receives Cuban parliamentary vice president (March 31, 2005)
* JCP representative attends Communist Party of India 19th Congress (April 4, 2005)
* Ichida offers condolences over Pope's death (April 5, 2005)

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