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

2006 FEBRUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 7 NEWS

KOIZUMI 'REFORM' IS A DECEPTION, SHII SAYS
Commenting on the initial stage of debate in the current Diet session, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said the Koizumi 'reform' is a false reform, and his cabinet is lacking political ethics. [MORE]

BID-RIGGING OVER U.S. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION EXPOSED
Suspicions have arisen that major constructors may have rigged bidding for the construction of an offshore runway at the U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station and the construction of a quay at the U.S. Sasebo Naval Base. [MORE]

IT'S U.S. THAT HAS DESTROYED PEACE AND FREEDOM
In his State of the Union address, U.S. President George W. Bush said that the United States 'rejects the false comfort of isolationism,' and that it 'will not retreat from the world,' claiming that 'every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer, so we will act boldly in freedom's cause.' [MORE]

DIET
* Koizumi 'reform' is a deception, Shii says (February 3, 2006)
* Supplementary budget enacted (February 4, 2006)

DEFENSE
Defense Facilities Administration Agency
* DFAA dissuades local assemblies from adopting resolutions opposing U.S. military realignment (February 2, 2006)
* JCP revelation provokes angry reactions to DFAA E-mail (February 3, 2006)
* DFAA admits sending out e-mail (February 7, 2006)

Bid-rigging
* All DFAA public projects suspected of bid-rigging works (February 6, 2006)

Bid-rigging over U.S. military construction is dual waste of tax money -- Akahata editorial, February 7, 2006

Social Democratic Party
* Shii comments on SDP changing its stance on SDF issue (February 3, 2006)

U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN
* Peace organizations urge Tokyo governor to oppose U.S. deployment of nuclear aircraft carrier to Yokosuka (February 2, 2006)
* Iwakuni City to hold referendum on U.S. military realignment (February 3, 2006)
* Residents protest U.S. Marines machine-gun drill at Hijudai (February 4, 2006)
* GSDF soldiers in landing exercises trained by U.S. Marines on U.S. West Coast (February 5, 2006)

BUSH ADMINISTRATION
State of the Union address

It's U.S. that destroyed peace and freedom -- Akahata editorial, February 2, 2006 (excerpts)

U.S. Defense Report

How can new QDR regard mobilizing Japan as established fact -- Akahata editorial, February 6, 2006

U.S. BEEF
* Koizumi puts U.S. trade interests before food safety (February 1, 2006)
* Japan and U.S. had agreed to skip on-site inspections at U.S. meatpackers (February 4, 2006)

CONSTITUTION AND FREEDOM
* 'Defend peace Constitution!' - Maritime workers' unions (February 4, 2006)
* Political freedom for government employees (February 4, 2006)

YASUKUNI
* Shii criticizes foreign minister and prime minister for their remarks about Yasukuni (February 2, 2006)

LIVELIHOODS
* One out of every 4 households has no savings at all (February 5, 2006)
* Actions proposed to unite people in order to block constitutional revision and tax increase (February 7, 2006)

LABOR
* Increase in job offers is mainly for short-term employment (February 1, 2006)
* 35 workers call for 'forced retirement' to be invalidated (February 3, 2006)

BIKINI DAY
* 'Participation in anti-nuclear Bikini Day action called (February 4, 2006)

ELECTION
* JCP, Social Mass Party, DPJ agree to join their forces in Okinawa City mayoral election (February 2, 2006)

JCP

Take pride in the 78 years of Akahata -- Akahata editorial, February 1, 2006 (excerpts)
* JCP Vice Chair Ogata meets with Cuban Ambassador (February 4, 2006)