2008 APRIL 16 - APRIL 22

SDF activities in Iraq violate the Constitution: high court
The Nagoya High Court said that Iraq is in a state of armed conflict, and thus the ASDF’s airlifting mission there is an act “integral to foreign countries’ use of force,” which runs counter to the Special Measures Law on Iraq as well as  Article 9, paragraph one of the Constitution that prohibits Japan from participating in wars.

Japan’s official development assistance should be directed at combating poverty
Japan cannot escape international criticism for turning its back on the commitment made by the international community at the U.N. Millennium Summit in 2000 to halve by 2015 the number of people in extreme poverty and hunger.

JCP proposes cuts in expensive tuitions
In announcing a Japanese Communist Party policy proposal for reducing the financial burdens associated with the payment of tuition fees, JCP Policy Commission Chair Koike Akira said that the proposal requires 190 billion yen a year but added that it is realizable by “abolishing the so-called sympathy budget for U.S. forces.”

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IRAQ WAR
Court ruling
High court says SDF activities in Iraq violate the Constitution
Accept high court decision and pull SDF out of Iraq now: Akahata editorial
Foreign minister dismisses high court ruling
JCP criticizes government’s reaction to high court ruling on ASDF mission in Iraq
Private sector personnel
76 civil engineers sent to assist in SDF operations in Afghan and Iraqi wars
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PRO-MILITARY BUILDUP DIETMEMBERS GROUP
Young lawmakers in pro-national defense caucus resume activities
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DEFENSE MINISTRY CORRUPTION
Ex-defense official’s corruption trial begins
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U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN
Japan paying highway tolls for U.S. soldiers’ visits to Tokyo Disney Resort
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NEW HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ELDERLY
40% of low-income earners are hesitant to go to see doctor
Medical associations in 10 prefectures oppose discriminatory healthcare for people aged 75 and older
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FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Japan has many things to do to break through global food crisis: Akahata, editorial (excerpts)
JCP agricultural revitalization policy warmly discussed in Akita
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JAPAN’S ODA
Japan’s official development assistance should be directed at combating poverty: Akahata editorial (excerpt)
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LABOR
Over half of medical workers want to quit their jobs: survey
Dismissal of whistleblower for poor tunneling withdrawn
Five party representatives call for ban on use of temporary workers for day labor
Toyota forces non-regular workers to perform ‘voluntary’ QC-Circle activities
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EDUCATION
JCP proposes cuts in expensive tuitions
Okinawa urges government to reinsert the fact of ‘military coercion’ in textbooks

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JCP
International
Shii hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
Shii attends dinner for South Korean president
Elections
All JCP candidates elected in April 20 local elections