Japan Press Weekly

JCP demands that Peruvian indigenous people’s rights be protected

Japanese Communist Party representative Kasai Akira in the Diet demanded that the Peruvian indigenous people’s rights be protected regarding a Japan-Peru investment agreement.

Is Toyota again using workers as disposable labor?

While dismissing a large number of fixed-term contract workers a year ago, Toyota Motor Corporation, has resumed recruiting new fixed-term contract workers under the pretext of increasing production of eco cars, but has failed to specify contract terms in violation of the Labor Contract Act.

Ozawa's 3 aides indicted

Tokyo prosecutors on February 4 indicted three aides of Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ozawa Ichiro for violating the Political Funds Control Law with the use of the alleged 400 million yen of funds for land purchase by Rikuzankai, Ozawa’s political fund-managing organization, while dropping the case against Ozawa himself.

Corporate tax is not as high as business circles claim

Thanks to the government’s system of corporate tax exemptions, Japan’s largest companies pay only around 30 percent in corporate taxes, much lower than the legal rate of 40 percent, Akahata revealed.

Cuts in Diet seats are ineffective in saving money

Even if 80 proportional representation seats are eliminated from the present number of 180 seats in the House of Representatives, it will have no effect on saving tax money. However, critical positions and public opinion will be effectively shut out from the Diet.

Cuts in proportional representation seats would enable DPJ to occupy 68% of Lower House with only 42% of votes

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on July 2 criticized the government push to cut the number of proportional representation seats in the Lower House as a thinly disguised attempt to clear the way to establish in essence a one-party regime.

4 opposition parties call on PM to hold debates among party leaders

Cuts in proportional representation seats would enable DPJ to occupy 68% of Lower House with only 42% of votes

Article 9 Association calls for pacifist Constitution to be fully respected

Time to create politics that represents the public interests

 All remains of wartime Korean forced laborers must be returned Akahata editorial

4,500 people gather in the May 3 Constitution Day Assembly

All 17 JCP candidates elected in 6 local assembly elections

Ozawa's 3 aides indicted

Diet must investigate Ozawa scandal - Akahata editorial

 Independent diplomacy is pivotal to peace Akahata editorial

Opposition parties propose non-confidence vote against Aso

US soldier arrested for negligent driving and failure to aid injured in hit and run

Labor office acknowledges first foreign trainee’s death from overwork

Workers call for effective use of corporate internal reserves

Is Toyota again using workers as disposable labor?

Japan’s unemployment rate reaches record high of 5.7 percent

Total ban on sending temporary workers to manufacturers is essential

Shii meets with CPV external relations commission chair

Small company owners hold rally demanding government measures to support their businesses

Shii on the sinking of a South Korean patrol boat

Ogata attends Venezuelan reception

Ichida attends Bangladesh independence day reception

JCP Chair Shii wraps up Kazakhstan visit

Shii attends Fourth of July reception

Ogata attends Algerian Independence Day reception

Kitakyushu City appeals judicial order to restore livelihood protection

Don’t drive people to suicide by taking away medical care opportunity! - Akahata ‘Current’ column

Childcare service deregulation reduces quality of meals for children

Intractable disease patients hold rally against budget cuts

JCP Koike demands abolishment of unjust medical system for elderly

 Consumption tax rate at 10 percent! - Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Kan makes deceptive remarks on consumption tax hike

Kan keeps making excuses for calling for consumption tax increase in debates between party leaders

What lessons can be drawn from Greek fiscal crisis?

Cuts in Diet seats are ineffective in saving money

Is a 10% consumption tax really to benefit social welfare services?

Corporate tax is not as high as business circles claim

LDP Okinawa chapter calls for Futenma base to be removed from prefecture

Symposium held in Okinawa for removal of U.S. Futenma base

Koike talks with Tokyo University president regarding budget cuts

Proposed cut in proportional representation seats aims to lock out majority public opinion

EPA, FTA will cripple Japan’s family farmers: Shii

New government cannot break away from traditional stance toward U.S.

JCP demands that Peruvian indigenous people’s rights be protected