2010 NOVEMBER 17 - NOVEMBER 23

Japan Press Weekly

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

2010 NOVEMBER 17 - NOVEMBER 23

‘Bilateral credit' scheme could disturb global effort to curb carbon emissions

At a time when negotiations for a new international agreement to tackle global warming faces rough going, the Japanese government is promoting an introduction of a "bilateral credit system," which is denounced by civic groups as creating a loophole in mechanism to enforce greenhouse gas emission cuts and obstructing international efforts.

Budget-screening fails to expose real waste

The budget-screening process has been much touted as a symbol of the change of government. The revitalization council used to ostensibly slash budgets promoted by the former Liberal Democratic-Komei government and antagonized bureaucrats just for show. However, when it comes to the screening of draft budgets requested by the Democratic Party government, an irony is that three key executives at the head of government ministries began criticizing the government's budget cutting effort.

Large food growing area Hokkaido threatened by TPP

The Tokachi region of Hokkaido Prefecture is Japan's major dairy and farming area. Often described as being 1100 percent self-reliant, it has been the largest nation's food supplier. This "kingdom of food" is now threatened by the government's sudden declaration to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact.

POLITICS
Kokuta criticizes justice minister for making insincere remarks
DPJ proposes lifting ban on arms exports
Court rules vote-value disparity as unconstitutional
Budget-screening fails to expose real waste

AGRICULTURE
Japan's agriculture policy offers world's most liberalized market
Securing food sovereignty is world trend: Ichida
Large food growing area Hokkaido threatened by TPP

US FORCES
Alliance of Subordination
Where is Japan-US alliance heading? ? Part I

SDF
Gov't must give up sending SDF to Afghanistan: JCP Inoue

OKINAWA
Incumbent doesn't say ‘No!' to base relocation within Okinawa

WELL BEING
Lower House passes bill to prolong controversial disabled person self-support law
Scholarship program for legal apprentices continues another year

LABOR
Stop improper firings of JAL crew! - Akahata editorial (excerpts)
College graduates' employment rate hits record-low

ENVIRONMENT
‘Bilateral credit' scheme could disturb global effort to curb carbon emissions

JCP
Ogata meets with Cambodian ambassador
Ogata attends Oman National Day reception
Shii meets with ICAPP Co-Chair Chung