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

Don't allow revising Fundamental Law of Education

Democratic forces and citizens groups are increasing pressure on the Diet to not enact a bill for an adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education and cutbacks in medical services.

Fundamental Law of Education

About 150 people took part in a rally called for by the "Stop adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education" National Liaison Council on April 26 in the Diet to oppose adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education as the government was rushing to submit the bill before the start of the week-long May holidays.

Komori Yoichi, professor at Tokyo University, criticized the ruling parties for attempting to reject constitutional principles in order to educate children to work for a war-fighting country.

Takahashi Tetsuya, professor at Tokyo University, said, "Inclusion of the concept of 'patriotism' in the education law will mean legitimatizing nationalistic education."

Six lawmakers attended the rally, including Ishii Ikuko (Lower House) and Inoue Satoshi (Upper House) of the Japanese Communist Party, and members of the Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party.

Medical 'reform'

On the same day, about 700 activists of the Japan Federation of Medical Workers' Unions, the All Japan Pensioners' Union, and other organizations staged a sit-in protest in front of the Diet Building against the bills that will seriously damage the present universal medical insurance system and other social welfare systems.

They submitted to the Diet about 115,000 signatures in opposition to the adverse bills and the attempt for adverse revision of the Constitution.

A representative from the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) said that the union has collected more than 91,000 signatures calling for an improved Equal Employment Opportunity Law.

JCP members of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken and Shiokawa Tetsuya reported on the Diet situation.
- Akahata, April 27, 2006