 2005 MAY 11- MAY 17 NEWS BREAKING JAPAN'S DIPLOMATIC STALEMATE In a major speech on Japan's diplomacy, JCP Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo said that the prime minister must stop visiting Yasukuni Shrine, that the government must earnestly deal with the history textbook issue, and that Japan must establish a major diplomatic strategy that will help develop peaceful relations with neighboring countries. HOPE FOR A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS THE DRIVING FORCE Reviewing activities in New York by a 800-strong Japan Council against A and H Bombs delegation, the Japan Gensuikyo secretary general says that it is a simple personal act that changes the world and that their movement is motivated by the hope for a nuclear-weapons-free world, and is not just urged by a sense of crisis. HARSH WORKING CONDITIONS OF CONTRACTED AND TEMPORARY WORKERS The number of contracted and temporary workers is increasing. The problem is that most contracted workers are forced to work as such although they are not legally contracted workers. U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN Camp Zama * 60,000 Zama citizens sign names against coming of U.S. Army Ist Corps HQ (May 14, 2005) * Zama City mayor submits signatures opposing U.S. Army relocation (May 17, 2005) Futenma * A chain of 24,000 people encircles U.S. Futenma Base (May 16, 2005) NLP * Anti-nuclear marchers call for halt to U.S. aircraft NLP (May 12, 2005) NUCLEAR WEAPONS New doctrine  New U.S. doctrine proposes nuclear strikes based on assumption of being attacked -- Akahata editorial, May 13, 2005Abolition * Hope for a world free of nuclear weapons is the driving force (May 11, 2005) * Court rules Hibakusha residing in the U.S. can request benefits (May 11, 2005) KOIZUMI CABINET * Shii criticizes the Koizumi government for committing three grave mistakes (May 11, 2005) DIET Railway accident * Safety regulations left in the hands of privatized JR (May 12, 2005) * JR West still sticks to its 'profit-first' policy (May 14, 2005) * JCP Kokuta raps government for allowing JR profit-first policy (May 17, 2005) Day of Showa * JCP opposes 'Day of Showa' (May 14, 2005) Yasukuni Shrine * Koizumi: No problem in Yasukuni Shrine visit (May 17, 2005) TOKYO * Tokyo's LDP, Komei, DPJ, assembly members visit casinos using public money (May 11, 2005) LABOR Harsh working conditions of contracted and temporary workers -- Akahata editorial, May 16, 2005SOCIAL SERVICES * Disabled people oppose law change forcing them to pay more (May 13, 2005) FISHERIES * JCP holds symposium on how to develop fisheries industry (May 15, 2005) * Fishermen denounce high court decision allowing to resume Isahaya's reclamation project (May 17, 2005)  JCP* Fuwa speaks on 'breaking Japan's diplomatic stalemate' (May 13, 2005) |