Government decides to send JMSDF Aegis ship to Indian Ocean (December 5)
* Japan's decision to send Aegis ship came as a result of U.S. pressure (December 6)
On 61st anniversary of outbreak of the Pacific War -- Akahata editorial, December 8 (excerpts) (December 9)* Week of 'actions against attack on Iraq and wartime bills' start (December 10)
* Local hearing on Constitution: Majority want Article 9 to be defended (December 10)
* Okinawa police to arrest U.S. Marine officer (December 4)
* Okinawa calls for review of SOFA (December 5)
* U.S. refuses to hand over Marine suspect (December 6)
* Police sends U.S. Marine major's case to prosecutors office (December 10)
* Korean Hibakusha wins overall victory in court (December 7)
* Tokyo's Hibakusha join concerted application for their recognition as having A-bomb diseases (December 10)
* Whoever DPJ head is, JCP will cooperate with other opposition parties in common struggle (December 4)
* JCP: Road panel's report suggests failure of 'Koizumi reform' (December 7)
* JCP proposes employment policy to control corporate dismissals (December 10)
* Mega bank presses high interest rate to 'healthy' borrowers (December 9)
* Zenroren discusses 2003 Spring Struggle (December 7)
* Labor lawyers hold phone counseling for workers (December 9)
* Farmers protest Koizumi Cabinet's new rice policy (December 5)
* 15.67 million signatures collected for uniform school class size of 30 pupils (December 6)
* Educationalists oppose government panel's focus on nationalism in education (December 9)
* JCP goes on the offensive in preparation for election (December 4)
* Shii calls for all-out efforts to win elections (December 4)