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

2005 DECEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 20 NEWS

JCP's 4-POINT PROPOSAL ON JAPAN'S ASIA DIPLOMACY
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo stressed the urgent need to make a drastic change in Japan's diplomacy so that Japan can contribute to peace in East Asia. [more]

U.S. PRESSURED JAPAN INTO EASING REGULATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Japan in 1998 revised the Building Standards Law under pressure from the United States as well as Japan's business circles and construction industry lobbying for allowing the private sector to undertake checking the safety of buildings. [more]

DO MASS MEDIA PLAY THEIR ROLE AS WATCHDOGS?
The most important role of mass media such as newspapers, television and radio is to provide citizens with facts and monitor the government in order to prevent the abuse of power. [more]

FOREIGN POLICY
* JCP chair makes 4-point proposal on Japan's Asia diplomacy (December 14, 2005)

IRAQ

How can the war that has killed 30,000 Iraqis be justified? -- Akahata editorial, December 17, 2005
* JCP criticizes government for supporting Iraq war (December 20, 2005)

DEFENSE 'MINISTRY'

Defense 'ministry' with more power will accelerate Japan's move to become a major military power -- Akahata editorial, December 15, 2005

OPPOSITION TO U.S. MILITARY REALIGNMENT
Okinawa
* Naha City Assembly opposes U.S. base construction (December 14, 2005)
* Okinawa Prefectural Assembly opposes new U.S. base (December 17, 2005)

Yokosuka
* Plan to homeport nuclear aircraft carrier rejected by all cities near Yokosuka (December 15, 2005)
* 2,500 people attend to block U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier deployment (December 18, 2005)

Miyazaki
* Miyazaki Prefectural assembly opposes allowing U.S. forces to use SDF air base (December 20, 2005)

Missile defense
* Joint development of MD will trigger endless arms race by wasting tax money (December 16, 2005)

DPJ

DPJ becomes assimilated into LDP -- Akahata editorial, December 19, 2005

ECONOMY
Stock market fiasco

Frenzy of high stock prices over short sale -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), December 14, 2005

Tax 'reform'
* Ruling parties agree to end tax breaks on salaried workers (December 16, 2005)

Deregulation
* U.S. pressured Japan into easing regulations in construction industry (December 19, 2005)

LABOR
Nippon Keidanren labor policy
* Nippon Keidanren says wage hike will be source of future trouble (December 14, 2005)
* Labor federations criticize Nippon Keidanren's 2006 position paper (December 15, 2005)

Temporary workers
* Long-term temps demand direct employment (December 20, 2005)

ELDERLY
* Elderly people carry out sit-in to block increased burden in medical costs (December 20, 2005)

MASS MEDIA
* Do mass media play their role as watchdogs ? (December 16, 2005)