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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP candidate wins by-election in Kochi

A Japanese Communist Party candidate defeated two conservative contenders in the Aki City (Kochi Prefecture) Assembly by-election on August 28.

Komatsu Chieko, a 52-year-old JCP candidate, received 2,085 votes. This number was larger than the 1,537 votes the JCP received in the same district in the 2003 House of Representatives election. With its five representatives in the 20-seat city assembly, the JCP now has the right to convene sessions.

In Aki City, with a population of about 21,000, Komatsu, who worked as a child care worker for 31 years, led the residents' movement against the city's plan to turn over two public child care centers to the private sector. In June, the residents' group submitted to the city assembly about 6,400 signatures representing about 30 percent of the city's voters opposing the bill to privatize the child care centers. However, the bill was enacted in the same month, supported by all parties except the JCP. -- Akahata, August 29, 30, 2005