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

Cut budget for U.S. forces to install air conditioners at schools: JCP

Nearly 100 percent of elementary and junior high schools in U.S. bases in Japan are air-conditioned using Japanese tax money, but only six percent of schools for Japanese children are quipped with air conditioners.

Revealing this fact at the April 17 House of Councilors Audit Committee meeting, Japanese Communist Party representative Kobayashi Emiko demanded that the government cut the "sympathy budget" for the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan and increase the budget for improving the national educational environment.

The "sympathy" budget, which Japan spends to support the stationing of the U.S. Forces in Japan, has reached 232.6 billion yen in fiscal 2006. From FY 1978 to 2006, the total amounts to about 50.2 trillion yen.

It is estimated that 373 billion yen is needed to install air conditioners at all elementary and junior high schools in Japan.

Kobayashi urged, "The government is responsible for improving the school conditions in order for children to study in a better learning environment."
- Akahata, April 18, 2006