Labor and peace organizations stage protest against U.S. forcing Japan to dispatch SDF to Iraq

On October 17, when U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Japan, about 150 women, workers, and peace activists converged on the U.S. Embassy with placards and banners to protest against the U.S. government forcing Japan to send the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq and contribute money to help in the occupation of Iraq.

After they read out a statement demanding that President Bush stop the U.S.- British military occupation of Iraq, the demonstrators handed the document to an embassy official.

The protest was jointly organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the Central Action Committee against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Anpo-Haki). Organizations taking part in this action included the Japan Peace Committee, the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), and the New Japan Women's Association (Shinfujin). (end)