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

2005 OCTOBER 19 - OCTOBER 25 NEWS

YASUKUNI SHRINE VISITS EXACERBATE JAPAN'S DIPLOMATIC STALEMATE
The hard fact is that Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's Yasukuni visits are a serious diplomatic mistake that will only isolate Japan from Asia and the rest of the world.

HIBAKUSHA MAKE URGENT CALL
Japan Hidankyo's Chairperson Tsuboi Sunao said, "Peace is being endangered after the rupture of the NPT Review Conference. The task now is for the Japanese government to take a lead in the effort to abolish nuclear weapons."

JCP PUTS UP GOOD FIGHT IN UPPER HOUSE BY-ELECTION
The Japanese Communist Party candidate, Hatano Kimie, remarkably doubled the share of votes cast in the first major national election since the September 11 House of Representatives general election.

YASUKUNI
Koizumi's Yasukuni Shrine visits exacerbate Japan's diplomatic stalemate -- Akahata editorial, October 20, 2005
* Koizumi's Yasukuni visits negatively affect Japan's diplomacy (October 21, 2005)

U.N.

Japan's call for a cut in its contribution to U.N. budget will bring discredit on itself -- Akahata editorial, October 25, 2005

JAPAN-U.S. ALLIANCE
* Democratic Party leader urges Koizumi to increase Japan-U.S. military ties (October 20, 2005)

U.S. Forces
* U.S. carrier aircraft conduct touch-and-goes in Kanagawa (October 19, 2005)
* U.S. oil storage facility in Yokohama to be returned to Japan (October 19, 2005)
* U.S. Marines to deploy Ospreys to Iwakuni (October 20, 2005)

Local concerns increase because of government failure to explain -- Akahata editorial, October 21, 2005
* NTSB report on Ehime-Maru accident is insufficient: lawyers (October 21, 2005)

ANTI-NUCLEAR MOVEMENT
* Hibakusha make urgent call for nuclear weapons abolition and compensation (October 19, 2005)
* Hibakusha campaign for state compensation (October 20, 2005)

POLITICAL FUND
* Political Fund Control Law amended without banning donations through political action committees (October 22, 2005)
* Using political donations as bait, Nippon Keidanren puts forward more pro-business policies (October 24, 2005)

ECONOMY/LIVING CONDITIONS
* Media are beginning to question corporate tax breaks (October 22, 2005)

Unsubstantiated government view on economic 'recovery' -- Akahata editorial, October 23, 2005
* JCP issues urgent request for jobs for youth (October 25, 2005)

HEALTH
* JCP criticizes health ministry's medical insurance reform plan (October 20, 2005)
* 'Self-support' bill won't support us: blind persons (October 22, 2005)

EARTHQUAKE
* 1st anniversary of Niigata earthquake, victims need generous state support (October 24, 2005)

ELECTION
* JCP puts up good fight in by-election in Kanagawa (October 24 & 25, 2005)