2005 APRIL 13 - APRIL 19 NEWS

SHII CALLS FOR FORMING MAJORITY TO PREVENT ADVERSE CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in a statement criticized the report of the House of Representatives Research Commission on the Constitution for being oriented toward revising the Constitution.

FOR A GREATER MOVEMENT FOR PEACE AND CO-EXISTENCE
In the vast areas of Asia and Africa, plus Central and South America, which embrace 80 percent of the world population, a tide of peace has increased to the extent that it does not allow the rule of superpowers.

JCP CHAIR AND CHINA'S NPC VICE CHAIR DISCUSS JAPAN-CHINA RELATIONS
JCP Chair Shii Kazuo emphasized that the Japanese war of aggression and the present business activities carried out in China by Japanese firms must not be considered to be the same.

CONSTITUTION
Panel report

Traditional values and the Constitution -- Akahata editorial, April 13, 2005
* Research commission's draft report is geared to gut Article 9 (April 14, 2005)
* Lower House panel report focuses on calls for constitutional amendments (April 16, 2005)
* Shii calls for forming majority to prevent adverse constitutional revision (April 16, 2005)

CONSTITUTION
Defend the Constitution
* Truck workers unions agree with employers on defending Article 9 (April 15, 2005)
* Religious community establishes Article 9 Circle (April 16, 2005)

SOCIAL SERVICES REFORM
* Article 25 should be stressed in social welfare reform: JCP in Diet (April 15, 2005)

HUMAN RIGHTS

Refugee protection must comply with international standards -- Akahata editorial, April 19, 2005 (excerpts)

BSE

Only reliable anti-BSE measures can ease people's anxieties about beef -- Akahata 'Current' column, April 19, 2005

SPIRIT OF BANDUNG

For a greater movement for peace and co-existence -- Akahata editorial, April 18, 2005

ANTI-JAPAN DEMONSTRATION
* JCP chair and Chinese NPC vice chair discuss Japan-China relations (April 16, 2005)

Japan has no way out with its current prime minister and government -- Akahata 'Current' column, April 13, 2005
* Historical questions and public security concerns must be dealt with separately: Shii comments on Japan-China issue (April 14, 2005)

U.S. FORCES
* JCP Shii urges government to not accept relocation of U.S. Army I Corps to Zama (April 14, 2005)

Unfair 'sympathy' budget for U.S. forces increases Japanese taxpayers foot the bill -- Akahata editorial, April 15, 2005
* 1st anniversary of Okinawans' sit-in against new base construction (April 18, 2005)
* Zama City holds signature campaign to block U.S. Army's 1st Corps relocation (April 19, 2005)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS ABOLITION
* Gensuikyo urges Japan to press U.S. to abandon WMD (April 14, 2005)

ELECTION
* Fukuoka and Miyagi by-elections start (April 13, 2005)
* Communist elected mayor of merged city in Akita (April 18, 2005)

JCP
* Fuwa attends reception on 50th anniversary of Japan-Saudi friendship (April 13, 2005)
* JCP Fuwa attends Thai New Year ceremony (April 17, 2005)

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