2006 MARCH 15 - MARCH 20 NEWS

RALLIES HELD TO MARK 3rd ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ WAR
Rallies and demonstrations took place in major cities and in cities hosting U.S. bases throughout Japan on March 19, the eve of the third anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, calling for an end to the U.S. aggression of the country. [MORE]

SHII: STOP NATIONAL REFERENDUM BILL LEADING TO CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo said that the national referendum bill was proposed as a first step in preparation for constitutional revision, and that the bill must be foiled by a concerted struggle inside and outside of the Diet. [MORE]

260,000 UNIONISTS IN VARIOUS ACTIONS CALL FOR WAGE INCREASE
Calling for wage increase for part-time workers as well as full-time workers, 260,000 unionists of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and other unions carried out nationwide action in rallies and marches in demonstration. [MORE]

IRAQ WAR

Remove root cause of destruction of Iraqi peace and life! - Akahata editorial, March 19, 2006
* Rallies held to mark 3rd anniversary of Iraq war (March 20, 2006)

MILITARY
'Force' or 'strength'
* Defense Agency document describes SDF as 'war potential' (March 15, 2006)

'Sympathy budget'
* Lower House approves 'sympathy budget' extension; DPJ shows 'understanding' (March 15, 2006)

Relocation cost
* JCP in Diet criticizes government for accepting unreasonable request for money to help relocate U.S. Marines to Guam (March 18, 2006)

Iwakuni
* Yamaguchi governor: 'I understand Iwakuni sentiment' (March 16, 2006)
* Iwakuni mayor urges MOFA and DA to cancel plan to strengthen U.S. Iwakuni base (March 17, 2006)

Crimes
* Japan Peace Committee calls for revision of SOFA (March 18, 2006)

DFAA
* Three former DFAA officials indicted on additional charges of bid-rigging (March 15, 2006)
* Corruption-tainted public body has been an LDP backer (March 16 & 17, 2006)

'HINOMARU' & 'KIMIGAYO'
* Tokyo teachers protest compulsory singing of 'Kimigayo' at school ceremonies (March 15, 2006)

POLITICS
National referendum bill
* Shii: Stop national referendum bill leading to constitutional revision (March 17, 2006)

Banks and non-bank moneylenders
* Ban exorbitant rates of interest (March 16, 2006)

Foreign donations

Absurdity of LDP call for lifting ban on donations from foreign firms - Akahata editorial (excerpts), March 17, 2006

Deregulation
* Japan Business Federation tops list of organizations making requests for deregulation (March 19, 2006)

LABOR
Spring Struggle
* Major manufactures offer pay raise for the first time in five years (March 16, 2006)
* 260,000 unionists in various actions calling for wage increase (March 17, 2006)
* Zenroren starts nationwide campaign for a fair Japan (March 18, 2006)

HIBAKUSHA
* 30 Hibakusha apply for recognition of their illness as A-bomb related (March 15, 2006)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Serious effort needed for bringing peaceful and diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear issue - Akahata editorial, March 16, 2006

JCP
* JCP Kasai visits Vietnamese ambassador (March 15, 2006)
* JCP vice-chair welcomes Venezuelan delegation (March 17, 2006)