Japan in two East Asian frameworks must work to encourage peace and cooperation

In enhancing cooperation with the ASEAN, Japan has been wedded to its military alliance with the United States and has worked hard to make the Asian regional system better serve U.S. interests. This, as a matter of course, caused anxieties to other Asian countries and hampered efforts to enhance Asia’s cooperation to achieve independent economic and political development.

Defense ministry requests 100 billion yen to help in realignment of U.S. forces in Japan

In its budget request for FY 2009 starting on April 1, 2009, the Defense Ministry demands that about 100 billion yen be used for the U.S. military realignment in Japan. The amount is five times the current budget of 19.1 billion yen.

‘Why are people interested in JCP now?’

On TV Asahi’s “Sunday Project” program, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo answered questions as to why the JCP is attracting attention now and how the party recognizes serious issues of employment. Citing European governments’ measures to secure employment, he stressed responsibilities the government should fulfill and explained the JCP’s efforts to overcome “capitalism without rules.”