2008 OCTOBER 1 - OCTOBER 7


Shii criticizes Aso’s policy speech and calls for drastic changes in policies
While the opposition Democratic Party and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are engaging in a blame game apparently with a general election in mind, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo made use of his question time in the House of Representatives to call for drastic changes that will create policies that put people first.

4,600 young workers hold rally for jobs with dignity
About 4,600 young people took part in a national rally in central Tokyo in protest against increasing poverty among youth and harsh corporate treatment of young workers. The area resounded with participants’ calls for labor rules to be established to ensure that young workers can work with dignity.

Government approves the plan to reduce 750 billion yen in medical costs
Based on the adverse medical reform that the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties railroaded through the Diet in 2006, the Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry announced a plan to hold down medical costs through cuts in the number of hospital beds and enforcing shorter hospital stays.

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DIET
Various actions held against tax, medical, and welfare policies
JCP says thoroughgoing discussion at budget committee is essential
Shii criticizes Aso’s policy speech and calls for drastic changes in policies
Ichida demands change of government’s basic policies

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JAPAN-U.S. MILITARY ALLIANCE
Aso instructs senior LDP officials to expedite discussion on right of collective self-defense
Four billion yen in tax money used to construct luxurious junior high school on U.S. base in Okinawa
DPJ also sees Japan-U.S. alliance as most important
Aso refuses to end Japan’s subservience to U.S.
Two U.S. marines in Okinawa arrested for stealing taxicab

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ARTICLE 9
Japan Federation of Bar Associations says war-renouncing Article 9 has relevance today

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BUDGET CUTS
Government approves the plan to reduce 750 billion yen in medical costs

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PENSION
JCP Ichida criticizes pension administration

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LABOR
Former fixed-term employee at Canon asks court to issue injunctions against his dismissal
Pilots say deregulation compromises airline safety and working conditions
4,600 young workers hold rally for jobs with dignity
Shii calls on young people to develop nationwide solidarity

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HIBAKUSHA
Government defies Sapporo court ruling that favors Hibakusha

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EDUCATION
A student living in an apartment needs more than two million yen to enroll in private university