Japan Press Weekly

2011 Spring Struggle begins

Union workers on January 14 declared the start of a series of annual wage hike actions, the 2011 Spring Struggle, in front of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) building in Tokyo. Their slogan, “Use excessive corporate internal reserves for wage increases and job creation!” resounded through Tokyo’s business district.

Kan reshuffles cabinet to facilitate consumption tax hike and participation in TPP

“The new cabinet lineup clearly reveals the Kan Cabinet’s loyalty to the business circles’ demands for a consumption tax increase and participation in the TPP,” Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo commented on January 14.

Japan-S. Korea military cooperation creates regional tension

Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi agreed with his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan Jin on January 10 to start discussions to reach the conclusion of a military equipment-sharing pact called the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). Kitazawa stated that the ACSA discussions are part of measures to further develop military cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and South Korea.

Japan-S. Korea military cooperation creates regional tension

DPJ is no different from LDP: DPJ Dietmembers blame party leadership

PM Kan calls for ‘most powerful party organization’

Kan reshuffles cabinet to facilitate consumption tax hike and participation in TPP

Yosano's appointment shows DPJ gov’t as copy of LDP

All mainstream media support tax hike & TPP

Local papers see reshuffled Kan Cabinet a mirror image of LDP

Japan to bear cost of transferring US flight training to Guam

Japan-US agreement won’t relieve Okinawa’s base burdens

2011 Spring Struggle aims at economic recovery through wage increases

Use of corporate internal reserves will restore national economy Akahata ‘current’ column

Pilots' association protests against JAL's forced dismissals

2011 Spring Struggle begins

Gov’t is reluctant to restore public workers’ basic labor rights

Keidanren rejects wage hikes

Shii attends Mindan’s New Year party

JCP publishes nationwide local elections policies

90% of caretakers of handicapped adults are the parents

Gov’t to encourage volunteer work by college students on scholarships

Survivors of Kobe Earthquake fear losing houses

Local small shops can’t survive under Sky Tree