2005 JULY 13 - JULY 19 NEWS

IS JAPAN'S PEACE PROTECTED BY U.S. FORCES?
Okinawans are enraged by Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka who stated, "Japan's peace is being protected by U.S. forces" in response to a call for the removal of U.S. bases made by a victim of rape by a U.S. soldier. [more]

JCP CALLS FOR A TOTAL BAN ON ASBESTOS AND RELIEF FOR VICTIMS
Following a series of revelations of deaths from skin tumor and lung cancer believed to be caused by asbestos, the Japanese Communist Party has called on the government to ban their production and use as well as to take relief measures for asbestos victims. [more]

ADOPTION OF RIGHTIST TEXTBOOK FACES PROTESTS
Otawara City, the first city to adopt a history textbook praising Japan's war of aggression for the city's 12 public junior high schools from April 2006 was flooded with phone calls and e-mails in protest against the decision. [more]

WORLD CONFERENCE
* Make 60th anniversary of A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a turning point (July 16, 2005)
* Schedule/programs of 2005 World Conference against A & H Bombs

TEXTBOOK
* City faces protests at adopting rightist textbook (July 14, 2005)
* Hiroshima citizens call for rejection of rightist textbooks (July 17, 2005)

CONSTITUTION AND FREEDOM OF THOUGHT
* Rengo refers to revising Article 9 (July 16, 2005)

Danger of legislation on 'crime of conspiracy' -- Akahata editorial, July 17, 2005

U.S. FORCES
* U.S. forces carry out anti-urban guerrilla drill at U.S. Camp Hansen (July 13, 2005)
* Stop U.S. live-fire drills: protest rally held in Okinawa (July 14, 2005)
* Is Japan's peace protected by U.S. forces? (July 16, 2005)
* U.S. crimes reach nearly 7,000 between 1973 and 2004 (July 19, 2005)

LABOR
* Unions stage day of action demanding an increase in minimum wage raise (July 15, 2005)

ASBESTOS
* JCP calls for a total ban on asbestos and relief for victims (July 15, 2005)

SCANDAL
* Ex-director arrested for bid-rigging on bridge contracts (July 13, 2005)

DISABLED
* Bill debilitating self-help of the disabled railroaded through Lower House (July 14, 2005)

JCP

Take an honest look at history for the sake of a peaceful future -- Akahata editorial, July 15, 2005