25,000 people rally in Tokyo "Foil SDF dispatch bill and defend people's
living"

Shouting "Scrap Self-Defense Forces units dispatch law, launch a great
campaign against corporate restructuring and destruction of medical
services," about 25,000 people took part in an October 23 National Rally at
Meiji Park in Tokyo.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and various
organizations of peace, women, small-sized businesses, co-sponsored the
rally.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo addressed the meeting, and
charged U.S.-led air strikes against Afghanistan lasting over two weeks for
victimizing many innocent Afghan citizens. He insisted that steps be taken
under the United Nations to root out terrorist actions, and the U.S.
immediately end the bombing.

On the government bill to allow the deployment of SDF units abroad, Shii
pointed out that parliamentary responses made by Prime Minister Koizumi
Jun'ichiro are quite extraordinary in that he reveals sheer contempt to
constitutional principles.

He called on participants to develop the struggle to foil the bill which
is now under deliberation in the House of Councilors.

Shii also called for waging a large national struggle against the Koizumi
cabinet, which is increasing attacks on the people under the pretext of
'restructuring.' Special efforts must be taken to develop the struggle to
stop restructuring plans by big corporations, secure jobs, and block the
government's policy to weaken the deteriorate medical welfare system.

The JCP chair stressed the need to immediately broaden the campaign among
the public to counter an all-out offensive by the government.

Uchida Taeko, Liaison Council of Civil Aviation Workers' Unions chair,
said that pilots, flight attendants, and other workers at Japan's airlines
are requesting the government to foil the SDF dispatch bill.

"The citizens are against terrorism and the retaliatory war," said a
unionist from Kasugai City (Aichi Prefecture) hosting the Air SDF Komaki
Base, from which SDF aircraft were sent to Pakistan with an 'extremely small
amount of relief goods.'

Iwasaki Shun, Telecommunication Industry Workers' Union chair, expressed
his determination that the union will fight against NTT's attack to cut
110,000 jobs, by waging a strike and various other forms of struggle.

Masuko Midori, a nurse and a member of the Japan Federation of Democratic
Medical Institutions, said that the soaring payments under worsened medical
systems are drastically increasing the number of serious cases because
people put off seeking prompt medical attention.

After the rally, participants marched in protest on three separate
courses; among them were 20 JCP Dietmembers.

* * *

In Osaka on October 22, about 4,000 citizens took part in a rally with
the rallying cry: "Down with terrorism; stop the retaliatory war; foil the
SDF dispatch law." (end)