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2003 MAR 19- MAR 25 NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE

NO FURTHER MISTAKES IN ASSISTING U.S. WAR, PLEASE
Absurdity is what this war is about, writes Akahata's political editor, urging Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro to stop backing "George W. Bush's war" which has no rationale from any angle. more

CONTRADICTIONS OF CORPORATE-CONFORMIST TRADE UNIONS ARE SHOWING
'Focus of Japanese workers' spring struggle' (Part 2) looks at corporate moves to freeze the annual wage increase system, causing a new rift among unions corporate conformism. more

WAR ON IRAQ -JCP CC statement-
*Stop the U.S.-British military actions now: JCP CC statement (March 20)

WAR ON IRAQ -In parliament-
*Koizumi cannot say who decided Iraq is unwilling to disarm (March 20)
*Shii: Koizumi supports war only because U.S. makes the decisions (March 20)
*JCP urges prime minister to stop supporting war on Iraq (March 22)
*JCP Ichida: Stop the war before talking of postwar reconstruction (March 24)
*JCP in both Houses condemns government for supporting U.S. preemptive war on Iraq (March 25)

WAR ON IRAQ -Protest actions-
*JCP holds rallies against war in 9,000 locations throughout Japan (March 22)
*High school students say 'No' to war (March 22)
*Participants in government-sponsored forum voice opposition to war on Iraq (March 25)

WAR ON IRAQ -Akahata column-
*No further mistakes in assisting U.S. war, please - By Akahata political editor (March 19)

WARTIME LEGISLATION
*LDP leader seeks to pass wartime bills (March 24)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS
*28th anniversary of nuclear-free 'Kobe Formula' (March 19)

CUTBACKS
*Bill to cut pension payment passed through Lower House committee (March 20)
*'Pay tax or go bust' is hard choice for small businesses under Koizumi Cabinet's policy

LABOR
*Contradictions of corporate-conformist trade unions are showing -- Focus of Japanese workers' spring struggle (Part 2)

EDUCATION
*Panel proposes greater government control on education (March 22)

LOCAL POLITICS -Attacks on democracy-
Unreasonable move by LDP and Komei to force progressive governor to resign -- Akahata editorial, March 23 (excerpt)
*JCP sues Komei members for libel (March 25)

LOCAL POLITICS -Local elections-
*JCP candidate for Tokyo governor gets support from public figures (March 25)