2001 May 23-29 News

Kariwa Villagers Reject MOX Project
In a historic vote, a majority of residents of Niigata's Kariwa Village said "No" to the uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) plan.

As a JCP Member I Found Myself in Society
A former leprosy patient relates the struggle he has been involved in as a Japanese Communist Party member.

Progressive Unity Forum (Kakushinkon) Proves Itself as Major Progressive Movement
Looking back on the 20 years of the Kakushinkon Movement, JCP Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo pointed out that the movement represents a great cause of progressive change.

CONTENTS

PROGRESSIVE FORUM (KAKUSHINKON)
*Progressive Unity Forum (Kakushinkon) celebrates 20th anniversary
*Koizumi cabinet's one month in office and Progressive Unity Forum: JCP Fuwa

REFERENDUM ON MOX FUEL PROJECT
*JCP: Government and power company must end MOX fuel plan
*Kariwa Village head admits difficulties in continuing acceptance of "pluthermal" project

JAPAN-U.S. MILITARY ALLIANCE
* JCP Fudesaka criticizes government for call of right to collective self-defense
* JCP lawmaker urges government to oppose U.S. Forces' use of Okinawa's civil airports: JCP Dietmember

POLITICS
Koizumi's 'reform' plans
* JCP Fuwa reveals P.M. Koizumi's blueprint of continuous adverse revision of medical system
* Finance minister suggests consumption tax rate increase from 2004
* Contrary to the talk of reform Koizumi Cabinet tries to conceal fact of secret state funds: JCP
Komei Party/Soka Gakkai
*JCP champions freedom of libraries against Komei Party's interference

LABOR
* Workers in lunchtime rally demand bank end discrimination against women employees
* Teachers' unpaid overtime work should also be eliminated
* JCP asks government to protect women part-time workers
*JCP talks with company management for elimination of unpaid overtime
* 500 workers demand Nestle retract unfair dismissals
* Pain of unemployment will persist, despite government saying otherwise -- Akahata editorial, May 25, 2001

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION
*Citizens urge local airport plan to be reviewed

ARIAKE
* JCP stands on the side of fishermen calling for cancellation of Isahaya Bay reclamation

AGRICULTURE
* Government must secure crop prices: Shii

HUMAN RIGHTS
* JCP comments on government-proposed human rights relief dody

LEPROSY PATIENTS' STRUGGLE
* Undaunted struggle has led former leprosy patients to historic victory

CJD
*CJD victims call government to account for tainted brain film

KOREA
* JCP Shii addresses Chongryun Congress