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

2006 MARCH 1 - MARCH 7 NEWS

GENSUIKYO BIKINI DAY RALLY CALLS FOR INCREASING ANTI-NUCLEAR SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN
The Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) used its Bikini Day Rally to call for increasing the new signature campaign for a swift abolition of nuclear weapons, by turning the tide against forces defending nuclear weapons. [MORE]

35,000 OKINAWANS RALLY AGAINST NEW U.S. BASE PLAN
About 35,000 citizens took part in a rally in Ginowan City to urge the Japanese government to listen to Okinawans opposing the plan to construct a new U.S. air base in the coastal area of Nago City in Okinawa Prefecture. [MORE]

MORE UNINSURED MEDICAL SERVICES WILL UNDERMINE JAPAN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
Criticizing the government bill to adversely revise the national medical insurance system, Japanese Communist Party member of the Upper House Koike Akira said, 'Why should people shoulder heavier burdens to help insurance companies make profit?' [MORE]

DIET
2006 budget
End policy that widens social gap: FY 2006 budget passes lower house -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 3, 2006
* 1.2 million signatures in petition submitted to the Diet (March 2, 2006)

E-mail issue
* DPJ leader acknowledges unauthentic e-mail message being used to question LDP (March 1, 2006)
* JCP Ichida: Nagata and Maehara must be held responsible (March 2, 2006)

Koizumi Politics
* DPJ's mail scandal does not wipe out Koizumi Cabinet's negative influences, Shii says (March 3, 2006)

Medical insurance
* JCP: More uninsured medical services will undermine Japan's medical services (March 4, 2006)

Nuclear reactors
* Tsunamis may prohibit cooling of Japan's N-reactors: JCP Dietmember reveals (March 2, 2006)

Rigged bidders' donation
* LDP received 84 million yen in donations from illegal bid winners (March 3 & 4, 2006)

U.S. BEEF
* Agriculture ministry withheld report on possibility of BSE outbreak in U.S. (March 5, 2006)

RESTRUCTURING
Administration

Proposed regional system will shut residents away from local autonomy -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 1, 2006

Public services

Market testing bill cuts public services, makes corporate profits -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 7, 2006

JAL
* JAL to continue cost-cutting restructuring at expense of safe aviation (March 3, 2006)

BIKINI DAY
* Gensuikyo rally calls for increasing of anti-nuclear signature campaign (March 1, 2006)
* Anti-nuclear struggles exchanged at international forum (February 28, 2006)
* March 1 Bikini Day Rally held in Yaizu (March 2, 2006)

LABOR
* U.S. demands deregulation of labor laws (March 7, 2006)

Spring struggle
* Taxi workers assemble in Tokyo to call for a review of deregulation (March 4, 2006)
* Nurses call for more staffing (March 4, 2006)
* Osaka part-timers call for an hourly pay hike (March 4, 2006)

EDUCATION

Increasing objections to forcing 'Hinomaru' and 'Kimigayo' on schools -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 2, 2006

U.S. MILITARY REALIGNMENT
* Noise pollution from U.S. aircraft obstructs local beef business (March 2, 2006)
* Local mayor cautious about deployment of X-band radar (February 24 & March 7, 2006)

Iwakuni

Government distorts constitutionality of plebiscite on U.S. base -- Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 4, 2006
* Iwakuni residents work for success of Japan's first plebiscite on U.S. military realignment (March 6, 2006)

Okinawa
* New base plan will endanger a rare species (March 4, 2006)
* 35,000 Okinawans rally in opposition to new U.S. base (March 6, 2006)

POLICE
* High court finds ex-police chief guilty of cover-up in man's death (March 7, 2006)

JCP
* JCP Shii holds talks with outgoing Chinese minister (March 1, 2006)
* JCP Ogata talks with former Indian ambassador (March 4, 2006)