Japan Press Weekly

1995 Hanshin-Awaji quake victims still struggling to find place to get settled

It has been 20 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake claimed 6,434 lives and damaged about 470,000 houses on January 17, 1995. Many disaster victims living in publicly-rented housing units have now been required to move to other places.

Labor ministry panel begins discussing zero-overtime payment system

In defiance of strong opposition from trade unions, the Labor Ministry on January 16 at its Labor Policy Council sub-committee meeting proposed a new system legalizing overtime without pay.

Gov’t forcibly resumes on-sea project for new US base construction

Amid strong protests from Okinawans, the Japanese Defense Ministry’s Okinawa Defense Bureau on January 15 forcibly resumed the on-sea project as part of preparation for the construction of a new U.S. base in Nago’s Henoko district.

LDP Dietmembers accumulate political party subsidies

Public opposition growing in the world against TPP

Yamashita criticizes PM Abe for proposing anti-people 2015 budget plan

Progressive farmers work to stop Abe’s policy of bullying family farmers

Gov’t forcibly resumes on-sea project for new US base construction

Ex-PM Nakasone encouraged US to bring N-arms into Japan

All DPJ presidential candidates fail to face off against LDP

Gov’t considers gaining rapid Cabinet approval over phone to dispatch SDF

 Japan has no obligation to offer ‘sympathy budget’ to US military in Japan

Okinawans rally in protest against US helipads construction

US military helicopter drops items in sea near Okinawa

Uniqlo’s altruistic sounding corporate philosophy contrasts with its poor working environment

2015 Spring Labor Offensive starts

Half of public childcare staff in Tokyo work under non-regular contracts

Human rights NGOs move Uniqlo to improve working conditions at China factories

Labor ministry panel begins discussing zero-overtime payment system

NHK refuses to air comedians’ political jokes

1995 Hanshin-Awaji quake victims still struggling to find place to get settled

Court revokes punishment on teachers for refusing to sing ‘Kimigayo’

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake marks 20th anniversary

Pachinko parlors with ATMs would exacerbate gambling addiction

This week’s JCP international activities