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

2006 APRIL 19 - APRIL 25 NEWS

PAYING COST OF RELOCATION OF USMC TO GUAM IS ABSURD
'At no time in history has Japan ever used tax money to help construct new foreign military bases on foreign territory. There's no such international precedent, either. The United States should pay all costs of relocation of U.S. troops,' JCP Secretariat Head Ichida said. [MORE]

TAKE SERIOUSLY RESIDENTS' JUDGMENT SHOWN IN OKINAWA AND IWAKUNI MAYORAL ELECTIONS
In the mayoral elections in Okinawa City and Iwakuni City, candidates opposing the strengthening of U.S. bases won victory. The government must take seriously the residents' judgment, and thoroughly change its attitude of forcing the people to accept its agreements with the U.S. government. [MORE]

JCP CHAIR CALLS FOR DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OVER DISPUTED ISLAND: TAKESHIMA
Shii said, 'I believe it important for Japan to abide by the diplomatic rules applicable to both situations (Takeshima and the Senkaku Islands) in order to resolve the situation.' [MORE]

MILITARY REALIGNMENT
* Deliver 'No new U.S. base' verdict to LDP-Komei forces: JCP Ichida (April 19, 2006)
* Can U.S. nuclear-powered warship safety be assured? (April 20, 2006)
* 8 U.S. Aegis ships deployed in Yokosuka to beef up 'missile defense' (April 21, 2006)
* Scrap U.S. military realignment plan: JCP Kasai (April 22, 2006)
* Peace Committee requests government withdrawal of base construction plan in Okinawa (April 22, 2006)
* Candidate opposing U.S. base relocation reelected as Iwakuni mayor (April 24, 2006)
* Progressive candidate elected as Okinawa City mayor (April 24 and 25, 2006)

Government must seriously take residents' judgment shown in Okinawa and Iwakuni mayoral elections - Akahata editorial (excerpts), April 25, 2006

Guam
* Paying cost of relocation of USMC to Guam is absurd: JCP Ichida (April 25, 2006)
* Japanese people did not agree to pay for moving U.S. Marines to Guam (April 25, 2006)

DISPUTED ISLAND
* JCP chair urges government to take initiative for diplomatic resolution of differences concerning disputed island: Takeshima (April 21, 2006)
* JCP in Diet calls for diplomatic resolution of Takeshima and Senkaku Islands issues by rules applicable to both situations (April 22, 2006)
* JCP welcomes agreement to avoid conflicts over disputed island: Koike (April 24, 2006)

POLITICS
* Bills to cut public services approved by Lower House (April 21, 2006)
* Political donations by government-funded organization must be barred (April 20, 2006)
* Lower House begins discussing conspiracy crime bill (April 22, 2006)

CULTURE
* Japan film archive to suffer from Koizumi 'administrative reform' (April 19, 2006)

HIROSHIMA A-BOMB DOME
* 14-story building under construction close to Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome (April 7 and 20, 2006)

EDUCATION
* Teachers protest against Tokyo government control of education (April 15, 21, 2006)

LABOR
* 2006 Spring Struggle results in bigger wage increase than last year's (Akahata, April 24, 2006)
* 1,300 people meet to start up association supporting IBM-Japan employees' struggle (April 23, 2006)

JCP
* JCP holds two-day meeting to discuss JCP activities in workplaces (April 23 and 24, 2006)
* Ogata greets South African deputy president (April 20, 2006)
* JCP Nishiguchi attends Ukrainian reception (April 20, 2006)
* JCP Ogata meets Syrian ambassador (April 25, 2006)