Defense Ministry wants a 2.1% budget increase in FY 2009 while people are enduring economic hardships

The Defense Ministry emphasizes the need to strengthen the structure to “make Japan a peace fostering nation,” which is one of the major policy goals set forth last January by Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo.

Block extension of new anti-terrorism special measures law that simply serves U.S. interests

There is no choice but for the Japanese government to stop assisting in the U.S. war and withdraw the Maritime Self-Defense Force from the Indian Ocean. It is called upon to fully use diplomatic means in order to achieve the peaceful resolution of the Afghanistan question.

Prime Minister Fukuda resigns

Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo held a news conference on short notice at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence on September 1 to express his intention to step down, saying, “New policies should be followed under new leadership.”