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

2005 DECEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 27 NEWS

WHY DO MINISTERS FAVOR JAPAN'S INTERFERENCE IN TAIWAN QUESTION?
It is absolutely impermissible to intervene in any foreign conflict. It is out of question for ministers to speak as if launching military intervention is option regarding the Taiwan question. (more)

GOVERNMENT PROPOSES AN EXTRA 3.3 TRILLION YEN TAX INCREASE
The government touts itself for keeping the government bond issuance below 30 trillion yen this time, but this is nothing less than the result of their shifting of burdens onto household economies and local governments. (more)

A NEW INTERNATIONAL ANTI-NUCLEAR SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN STARTS
The Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) announced on December 22 a new international signature collecting campaign to be launched on January 1, 2006 calling for the "swift abolition of nuclear weapons." (more)

FY 2006 BUDGET
Draft budget
* Finance Ministry draft of FY 2006 budget involves 3.3 trillion yen tax increase (December 21, 2005)
* 5-trillion yen military budget proposed for FY 2006 (December 21, 2005)

'Administrative reform'
* Government approves job cuts for national and local government employees (December 25, 2005)

DEREGULATION
* Private sector will enter public businesses (December 22, 2005)

REFERENDUM
* LDP, Komei, and DPJ agree to enact constitutional referendum bill in next Diet session (December 22, 2005)

BANKS
* Banks must share responsibility for funding defective construction (December 22, 2005)

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Why do ministers favor Japan's interference in Taiwan question? -- Akahata editorial, December 24, 2005
* Aso as Japan's foreign minister must dispel Asian concerns (December 25, 2005)

MILITARY REALIGNMENT
Spying
* Marines trained in Okinawa to be ready for Iraq (December 26, 2005)

NLP
* Government fails to grasp effect of U.S. touch-and-go exercises (December 22, 2005)

Okinawa
* On-sea demonstration held against new U.S. base construction (December 24, 2005)

Missile Defense
* Government okays arms exports via Japan-U.S. joint missile development (December 26, 2005)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS ABOLITION
* Gensuikyo announces a new international anti-nuclear signature collecting campaign (December 23, 2005)
* Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (December 27-29, 2005)
* Support expressed from abroad (December 27-29, 2005)

JCP
* Shii talks with Iranian ambassador (December 21, 2005)
* JCP reports on theoretical discussion with CPC (December 21, 2005)