2008 OCTOBER 15 - OCTOBER 21


Do not force ordinary people to pay the cost of financial fallout
At a time when the wave of financial crisis started in the U.S. is felt in Japan, it is important that we must not allow the government to force the general public to pay the cost for an economic slowdown. The need is to move away from the pro-big business policy and put people first.

Ichida says DPJ is competing with LDP for wrecking Constitution
During the discussion of the bill to extend the deployment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Indian Ocean, the LDP and the DPJ revealed that they were in agreement to establish a permanent law to enable Japan to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces abroad without Diet approval, said Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi.

Video-streaming of Shii’s questioning on temporary workers attracts massive favorable comments
With Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo’s questioning at the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on October 7 drawing great public interest, particularly among young workers, the number of accesses to Websites showing the video of Shii’s interpellation has reached 90,000 as of October 18.

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DIET
JCP urges LDP to set up question-time session with JCP
Supplementary budget enacted
JCP in Diet urges government to stop assisting in U.S. war against Afghanistan
Ichida says DPJ is competing with LDP for wrecking Constitution
Shii says JCP will fight against bill to extend Self-Defense Force deployment in the Indian Ocean

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ECONOMY
JCP Shii comments on worldwide financial crisis caused by casino capitalism
Do not force ordinary people to pay the cost of financial fallout: Akahata Editorial (excerpts)

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RIGHT TO LIVE
Healthcare
Abolish discriminatory health insurance system for elderly: JCP Koike
4 opposition parties jointly call for abolition of unjust healthcare program
5,000 rally for better medical and nursing care services

Pension
Pensioners hold rallies demanding abolition of new discriminatory health insurance system

Anti-poverty rally
2,000 people in Anti-Poverty Network rally demanding decent work and bright future

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POLITICS
Political party subsidies
Political parties (except JCP) receive 8 billion yen in government subsidies

Scandal
DPJ lawmakers have helped multi-level marketing industry
LDP and DPJ must equally explain their cozy relations with multi-level marketing industry
JCP Koike stresses importance of banning corporate donations to political parties

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U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN
Yokosuka peace organizations express protest against U.S. N-sub Ohio’s entry into port
Conservationists advise protection of dugong in Okinawa

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CONSTITUTION
Article 9 Association launched by educators
DPJ official says it will change government interpretation of Constitution if it takes power

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HIBAKUSHA
Hibakusha win court case in Chiba

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TOKYO
Tokyo governor’s motorbike race at Miyake to cut off flights to island

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JCP
Video-streaming of Shii’s questioning on temporary workers attracts massive favorable comments