2008 JULY 2 - JULY 8

Bush and Fukuda announce they will strengthen Japan-U.S. alliance
Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo promised to promote cooperation between the two countries in “the fight against terrorism,” the Iraq war, the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, and missile defense.


Government spends 9 billion yen to fuel coalition warships in ‘anti-terror’ operations in Indian Ocean
Ignoring fishermen’s demands for direct financial assistance to cover rising fuel costs due to soaring oil prices, the Japanese government is squandering nine billion yen a year to provide fuel to U.S. warships involved in the so-called “anti-terrorism” missions in the Indian Ocean.


Government approves plan to tighten control of education
Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ishii Ikuko said, “The ‘Basic Plan’ should be withdrawn because it breaches the fundamental right to autonomy of education and casts yet-open-minded children into a mold created by the state and because it puts forward a plan to slash the teaching staff by 10,000.”

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Japan-U.S. ALLIANCE

Fukuda-Bush talks
Bush and Fukuda announce they will strengthen Japan-U.S. alliance
Japan-U.S. alliance takes precedence over global warming issue

Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Peace organizations demand details of fire on U.S. nuclear powered aircraft carrier be disclosed

Japan’s cooperation with U.S. war
Government spends 9 billion yen to fuel coalition warships in ‘anti-terror’ operations in Indian Ocean

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G8 TOYAKO SUMMIT

Global warming
JCP urges government to do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions

NGOs
Challenge the G8 Summit: 5,000 people join peace walk
NGOs criticize Japanese government for its weak efforts to cut gas emissions

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EDUCATION
Government approves plan to tighten control of education
JCP holds talks regarding issue of high university tuitions
Students share experiences in activities calling for reduction of tuitions

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HEALTH CARE
90 percent of local governments subsidize 5 or more regular gynecologic checkups

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REPRESSION
Police charges JCP local assembly member of trespassing, another repression on the right to distribution of fliers by JCP

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LABOR
Workers sue American Airlines demanding their dismissals be retracted
Court says company is responsible for worker’s suicide caused by workplace bullying
24,000 workers committed suicide between 2004 and 2006
More workers are taking part in struggle to eradicate illegal labor practices

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CORPORATE WELFARE
TOYOTA enjoys tax break of 190 billion yen
JCP criticizes Osaka governor’s financial reconstruction plan at the cost of public well-being

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PEACE/ANTI-NUCLEAR MOVEMENT
World’s religious leaders call for nuclear weapons abolition
Gensuikyo prepares for 2008 World Conference

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JCP
JCP Vice Chair Ogata meets with Bolivian parliamentarian Salguero