Wednesday, October 31, 2007
JAPAN FOCUS
ZENROREN LABOR NEWS
 | 〒113-8462 東京都文京区湯島２−４−４全労連会館４Ｆ TEL(03)5842-5611 FAX(03)5842-5620 |
Copyright(c)2006 zenroren. All rights reserved. |
JAPAN PRESS SERVICE NEWS
Diet must discuss basic prerequisite for ending terrorism: JCP Shii
"In discussing the new anti-terrorism special measures bill, it is important for every party to get to the root of the issue. What is needed to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan and to eradicate terrorism? What should Japan do to achieve these objectives?" Shii said.
Investigate corruption over war supplies!
Former Vice Defense Minister Moriya maintained a cozy relation with a former executive of a trading house specializing in military equipment.
JCP publishes appeal for cancellation of introduction of harsh medical-care system for the elderly
JCP Koike said, "Putting aside any differences of opinion on a future medical care system for the elderly, we will take the lead in a joint struggle based on the single agreed point of demanding cancellation of the implementation."
DIET
- JCP calls for suprapartisan cooperation in return of Korean cultural asset
- JCP publishes appeal for cancellation of introduction of harsh medical-care system for the elderly
- Government scenario on future tax burdens uses tricks to compel consumption tax hikes: JCP Koike
Special measures bill
-
Government's deceptive rhetoric justifying Japan's refueling mission is unacceptable - Akahata editorial
- Fukuda Cabinet submits new bill to continue MSDF refueling operations
- Diet must discuss basic prerequisite for ending terrorism: JCP Shii
- MSDF covered up 'mistaken' amount of oil supplied to U.S. ships
- MSDF was aware that government used wrong data about amount of fuel
CORRUPTION
- Investigate corruption over war supplies! - Akahata editorial
EDUCATION
- JCP Shii promises to make efforts to block distortion of history in solidarity with Okinawans
- Okinawans make representations to textbook publishers and education ministry
MILITARY
- U.S. marines are under investigation for alleged rape
- U.S. parachute training at Kadena violates Japan-U.S. agreement: JCP Akamine
CONSTITUTION
- 'Article 9 Association' to hold its second national exchange meeting in November
NUCLEAR
- Gensuikyo carries out actions for abolition of nuclear weapons
LABOR
- Amid deregulations, taxi fares are rising
- Government panel proposes basic labor rights for public service employees
DRUG-INDUCED DISEASE
NUKE INFO TOKYO (ENG) from CNIC
CNIC Home Page
| |||||
| |||||
| Nuke Info Tokyo 120 Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Earthquake: Lessons from the Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake IAEA Releases Report on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Appeal by the Group of Concerned Scientists and Engineers Calling for the Closure of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Active Tests Recommence at Rokkasho Worker Exposure Data for 2006 and the Workers' Compensation Case of the Late Tadashi Kiyuna Abolition 2000 US-India Working Group sends letter to NSG governments | |||||
|
| ||||
| |||||
| | |||||
| | |||||
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
Akebonobashi Co-op 2F-B, 8-5 Sumiyoshi-cho,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0065, Japan
TEL.03-3357-3800
FAX.03-3357-3801
Map
BUY NOTHING DAY
| English | 日本語 |
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Article 9 Press Conference
PRESS RELEASE (also attached as PDF)
=========================================================================
Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War
May 2008, Makuhari Messe
=========================================================================
Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renounces war as a means of
settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of armed
forces and other war potential. Article 9 is an international oath
declaring No to War.
Yet today the Japanese government is moving towards amending Article 9,
partly due to the US demand for full-fledged military support from
Japan. This is one of the hottest political issues in Japan today, and
has not only domestic implications but will affect the entire world.
In order to support Japan's peace constitution, and spread its
principles internationally, the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish
War is being planned for May 4-6, 2008. At Makuhari Messe in Chiba,
10,000 people are expected to attend, including Nobel Peace Laureates,
intellectuals, cultural figures and NGO activists. As well as keynote
speeches by Nobel Prize Laureates such as Northern Ireland's Mairead
Corrigan Maguire, a variety of events open to the public such as
lectures, music and various performances and displays will also take
place. Events will be held not only at the main Chiba venue, but also in
Sendai, Osaka and Hiroshima.
A press conference will be held as follows to launch the Global Article
9 Conference and the promotion of disarmament, demilitarization and a
culture of peace.
=========================================================================
Press Conference
Date: 26 October 2007 (Fri), 14:00-15:00
Venue: Shufu Kaikan Plaza F (4F Chatolet Room), 1 min from JR
Yotsuya Station
15-6 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo TEL 03-3265-8111
Map: http://www.plaza-f.or.jp/information/otoiawase/otoiawase.html
Content:
1. Introduction to the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War
2. Video messages for the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War
from Nobel Prize Laureates including Wangari Maathai (Kenya) and
Mairead Corrigan Maguire (Northern Ireland)
Attending Co-Initiators of the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish
War include:
Hoshikawa Jun (Executive Director, Greenpeace Japan)
Isezaki Kenji (Lecturer, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; former
Chief of the Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration (DDR)
Coordination Section of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone)
Ito Makoto (Director, Ito Juku and Japan Institute of Constitutional Law)
Junkerman, John (film director)
Naruse Masahiro (Artist)
Niikura Osamu (President, Japanese Lawyers International Solidarity
Association)
Nishino Rumiko (Co-Chairperson, VAWW-NET JAPAN)
Shinagawa Masaji (Chairperson, International Development Center of
Japan; Co-executive, Japan Association of Corporate Executives)
Taniyama Hiroshi (President, Japan International Volunteer Center)
Tsutsumi Mika (Journalist)
Yoshioka Tatsuya (Director, Peace Boat)
Yukawa Reiko (songwriter and music critic)
Organiser / Contact:
Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War, Japan Organizing Committee
(Office within Peace Boat)
Tel: 03-3363-7967
Email:
For further information, please see:
Japanese: http://whynot9.jp / English: http://www.article-9.org
※ Contact on the day:
Rika Watanabe, 090-9145-2864 (English and Japanese OK)
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Japan faces hunger pains as poor slip through net
from THE ZEIT GIST (Japan Times)
By JOHN SPIRI
First in a two-part series
World Food Day, celebrated every Oct. 16, was established by the U.N. to highlight issues such as food scarcity, agricultural pollution, and food distribution problems that still plague much of the world. So what does that have to do with Japan? Plenty, says Charles McJilton of Second Harvest Japan (2HJ).
 |
| Homeless people on the streets of cities like Osaka (top) and Tokyo (below) are just one facet of poverty in Japan. JOHN SPIRI PHOTOS |
 |
McJilton first became involved with the homeless in Japan in 1991 when he lived in Sanya, one of the poorer areas of Tokyo. In January 1997 he began living with the homeless along the Sumida River near Sanya and stayed until April 1998. That experience radically changed him and how sees his role at 2HJ.
"I don't see myself so much helping people as giving them the resources to help themselves," said McJilton.
Although still a passionate supporter of Tokyo's homeless population, McJilton is now focusing his activism on a broader range of have-nots in Japan.
"Forget (writing about) the homeless," McJilton told me. "Everybody knows about that problem. It's so visible. What people don't see, and don't know, is that there are plenty of hungry people living right here in Tokyo."
Appearances don't always fit with the reality, McJilton argues.
"The poverty line is considered one half the median income, or around ¥2.3 million per year. The current poverty rate for Japan is 15.3 percent. That means more than 19 million live below the poverty line. Forty percent of the more-than-1.2-million single mothers make less than ¥1.5 million per year.
"In Utsunomiya a few years ago a mother starved to death with her child. It happens, and will, unfortunately, probably become more common."
As a professor at Japanese Red Cross University, J. Sean Curtin has written extensively on poverty in Japan. In a 2002 article Curtin wrote that lone-mother families, with an average annual income of just ¥2.52 million, were the most economically disadvantaged group in Japan. The elderly were next at ¥3.19 million. This put many — if not most — lone-mother families "well below the poverty line."
Citing a government survey, Curtin noted that 81.6 percent of Japanese single mothers said they were experiencing "real hardship."
More troubling, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), in a July 2006 report, warned that despite sustainable growth Japan is "endangered by increasing poverty, income inequality and by the effects of an aging population."
For those experiencing extreme financial hardship, including the homeless, a separate welfare program ("seikatsu hogo") exists. Also, local governments have been trying, with limited success, to relocate the homeless into subsidized housing. McJilton feels the government's approach is terribly flawed.
"They make it difficult for people to get on the system, and they treat the people on it like criminals, under constant surveillance to make sure they're not cheating. Then they have laws that say, 'You're on welfare so you can't save any money. You're not allowed to buy a car either even if you live in a rural area where it's necessary.' If you do save money or buy a car, your benefits get cut. It's insane."
While surveys show the number of homeless decreasing, McJilton is not impressed.
 |
 |
 |
"It's true that ڜ3,000 apartments are getting people off the streets, but they deliberately separate neighbors, putting them in different parts of the city so they 'won't be a bad influence on each other.' " McJilton explained.
"When you concentrate people who have specific needs in a specific area it's much easier to provide services than when you spread them out."
Some groups of homeless are likely not to be counted in surveys, said Sister Akiyama of Fuchu Catholic Church.
"While the stay-put homeless have decreased, the number that wander from place to place every night has increased," she said.
Also, "Internet cafe refugees" are not included in the survey. These individuals, which number in the thousands, are likewise homeless, renting a room in an Internet cafe or all-night eatery from night to night.
Curtin has also written about flaws in Japan's welfare system, namely divorced fathers who don't pay child support to their children, euphemistically known as "deadbeat dads" in the United States. As it stands, divorce terms may "require" the father to pay child support, but there is no means to compel him to pay. The mother can bring the issue to court, but the decision might take years, and then only compel the father to pay a quarter of the agreed-upon sum, making the whole process fruitless.
Efforts have been made to amend legislation to compel deadbeat dads to pay, but conservative lawmakers keep blocking the effort. For example, in 1985 such an amendment was killed because it would "go against Japanese tradition."
Second Harvest Japan currently serves approximately 100 families with weekly or monthly shipments of food. Of those, 75 percent are headed by lone mothers. In addition, they deliver food to agencies that support single mothers.
"I would estimate we support over 1,000 families directly and through the agencies we support," said McJilton.
Convenience stores and restaurants often face the problem of having food that has not expired but cannot be sold for a variety of reasons. Donating this food helps companies save money, make a positive impact on society and reduce waste. For every ¥1,000 2HJ spends, the group can deliver over ¥10,000 in food.
For the time being, homelessness remains the visible face of poverty in Japan. Sister Akiyama makes a weekly "homeless patrol" to check on needs and befriend the homeless. One goal she has is to convince the homeless to make use of the services offered by local governments.
"Many refuse to register for housing. They feel there are too many rules, like a curfew, for those in subsidized apartments. Also, they have too much pride."
One homeless man we visited along the Tama River explained that he goes to city hall once a month to collect his pension. It might be enough to cover food expenses, he said, but not enough to rent an apartment. The talk does lend some credibility to stereotypes, however, as Mr. Matsuzaka noted that two young homeless (aged 27 and 31) set up a shelter next door and are choosing the lifestyle.
"They go back to their parents' house once or twice a month. They don't want to work," he added without malice.
None of the other homeless I spoke with — a day laborer, car counter, house cleaner, cardboard collector and a retired man who lost his arm in a work accident — said they were homeless by choice.
Matsushige Ito of Osaka's Kamagasaki homeless district rejects the claim that homeless "choose that lifestyle."
"It's a rationalization," said Ito. "Most people want to blame the victim. The cause of homelessness is lack of employment. There simply aren't enough jobs."
McJilton agreed, calling the homelessness problem "a train wreck (that was) waiting to happen."
He explained that many laborers moved to Tokyo and Osaka during economic boom years, living at the "genba" (work site). Construction jobs dried up, or the men got too old or ill to work, and those without a personal safety net dropped through.
Although hunger problems in Japan do exist, and are growing, many other countries have far more severe problems with poverty. It is estimated that one-seventh of the world's population cannot get enough daily nutrition. According to globalissues.org, half the world's children — one billion — live in poverty.
The theme of this year's World Food Day is "The right to food." Organizers note: "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 first recognized the right to food as a human right." This right to food is universal and includes every woman, man and child. It includes food security: Access should be to healthy food, devoid of harmful substances and culturally acceptable.
To commemorate World Food Day, 2HJ is hosting a Harvest for Hunger gathering on Oct. 16. They are also conducting a nationwide food drive with fitness group Curves Japan in November and are seeking churches, community centers, and agencies that will accept food for subsequent delivery to those in need. The ultimate dream is to create a national network where anyone in need of food can go get emergency food locally. For more information contact .
 |
Tokyo Spring: Supporting the teachers opposing the singing of Kimigayo in schools
Hello Everyone!
On Sunday 14th October Spring will be holding an event at 4pm at Heaven's Door Shimokitazawa to help raise awareness of the fight of the teachers who are opposing the singing of Kimigayo in schools.
One of the key figures in the campaign, Junko Kawarai, who features in the documentary "Against Coercion: Refusing to Stand for Kimigayo" will be at the event for a Q&A session. Interested members of the Japanese public, including school students and people from countries other than Japan who are interested in this issue are encouraged to come along and learn more about what is going on.
After watching a documentary with footage of the campaign in which the sheer obstinacy and inflexible, head in the sand attitude of Tokyo Bureaucrats is exposed, along with their bullying tactics, obfuscation and unwillingness to engage in any kind of meaningful dialogue, Kawarai san will answer questions about her recent experiences.
A variety of related topics will be covered in the session, and a poem, written by Munehiko Ichino will be read in both English and Japanese to honour our guest. Although the poem is specifically about the key figure in the film, Nezu San, it is worded in such a way as to refer to all the teachers who are suffering at the hands of the school board and should be understood as a tribute to all of them.
PLEASE COME TO THIS EVENT EVEN IF YOU ARE UP TO DATE AND FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE, and BRING AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AS YOU CAN.
In Solidarity
Spring
Announcement: “The Iraq Crisis as a Global Crisis” in Harajuku
Saturday November 3, 1:00-3:00pm
"The Iraq Crisis as a Global Crisis"
A discussion over brunch with Middle East expert and author
Professor Juan Cole
* still looking for a translator so that we can have Japanese consecutively.
Location: Fujimama's in Harajukuhttp://www.fujimamas.com/contact-map.html
Cost - 4000 yen (2000 yen for students with a valid ID),
includes brunch and a 1000 yen donation to both a PSC supporting organization and DAJ's GOTV effort.
* This event is open to all but limited to the first 60 registrants
To join as a participant, please contact
Japan Focus latest articles: Nationalism, Militarizing Japan, Working Poor….
| Robert Wade | Explaining US Financial Instability and Its Global Implications | |||
| William Underwood | The Aso Mining Company in World War II: History and Japan's Would-Be Premier | |||
| Rumi Sakamoto & Matt Allen | "Hating 'The Korean Wave'" Comic Books: A sign of New Nationalism in Japan? | |||
| Bruce Cumings & Hankyoreh | Families of Eight Wrongfully Executed South Korean Political Prisoners Awarded Record Compensation. The People's Revolutionary Party 8 | |||
| Nakano Akira | Korea's Railway Network the Key to Imperial Japan's Control | |||
| Yuki Tanaka | Oda Makoto, Beheiren and 14 August 1945: Humanitarian Wrath against Indiscriminate Bombing | |||
| Takahashi Akihiro | Ground Zero 1945. A Schoolboy's Story | |||
| Praful Bidwai | The India-US Nuclear Deal at a Crossroads | |||
| Owen Griffiths | Militarizing Japan: Patriotism, Profit, and Children's Print Media, 1894-1925 | |||
| Hiratate Hideaki | Japan's Working Poor: Low Pay Threatens Quality of Elder Care | |||
110,000 Okinawans demand textbooks depict historical facts, other stories (Japan Press Service)
110,000 Okinawans in unison demand textbooks depict to historical facts
Okinawans have risen up in protest against the Education Ministry’s recent instruction to textbook publishers to delete from high school textbooks an account that the Japanese Imperial Army had forced Okinawans to commit “mass suicides” during the Okinawa Battle that took place around the end of the Pacific War.
Some 110,000 people took part in a rally held on September 29 in Ginowan City in Okinawa. On the same day, two more rallies took place for the same cause on Okinawa’s outlying islands, and 2,500 people attended each of them. Altogether, it is calculated that one out of ten Okinawans took part in those rallies.
“The Education Ministry must teach students the truth about the Okinawa Battle! The ministry must listen to Okinawans!” they shouted in unison.
In the rally in Ginowan, representatives of the Japanese Communist Party, including Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi, House of Representatives member Akamine Seiken, and House of Councilors member Nihi Sohei, appeared on the stage along with representatives of the Democratic, Social Democratic, Okinawa Social Mass, and Komei parties as well as 34 out of 36 heads of municipalities in the main Okinawan island.
Participants adopted a resolution that reads: “It is our duty to correctly convey to our children the indisputable fact that ‘mass suicides’ during the Okinawa Battle could not have occurred without the Japanese military’s involvement, and teach them the importance of lessons we learned from the reality of the battle, the need to work for peace, and how to prevent Japan from waging such a tragic war again.”
Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu in his greetings stated, “On behalf of all Okinawans, I vehemently protest and express deep regret for the Education Ministry’s textbook screening policy. I strongly request that the ministry swiftly rescind its instruction and restore the deleted account.”
On behalf of the Okinawa Association of City Mayors, Naha Mayor Onaga Takeshi stated, “This question concerns not only Okinawans. I wish that Japan will squarely face and reflect on its conduct in Asian countries in the past and that it will march together with Asian countries towards peace and reconciliation.”
Asked by Akahata reporters, several mayors made comments on the rally:
Kin Town Mayor Gibu Tsuyoshi said, “I think Japan as a whole has not reflected on Japan’s past war. The government should recognize differences in historical perceptions between the state and Okinawans and sincerely cope with the issue.”
Motobu Town Mayor Takara Fumio said, “Okinawans’ indignation is longstanding. It also grew under the U.S. occupation. The government should withdraw its instruction in question with this fact in mind.”
Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi said, “It is 62 years after WWII, and still both the U.S. forces and the Self-Defense Forces are being strengthened, imposing heavier base burdens onto Okinawans. While the memories of the Okinawa Battle are said to be fading, the success of this rally gives us great momentum for passing down a true history. The government must take it seriously that Okinawans are united in this matter.”
JCP Ichida at a news conference later in the day said, “In defending the constitutional principle of never waging war, it is important for all Japanese people to be aware of the truth of the Okinawa Battle.”
The Okinawa governor, prefectural assembly members, and municipal heads are planning to visit Tokyo shortly to make representations to the education minister and the prime minister, requesting the withdrawal of the government decision on textbook screening. - Akahata, September 30, 2007
Fukuda's policy speech lacks substance
JCP Chair Shii said, "The prime minister mentioned 'a country of hope and reassurance,' but failed to show how such a country can be created."
Fukuda's office submitted dubious receipts attached to funds reports
The Akahata Sunday edition discovered more than 200 dubious receipts amounting to more than 10 million yen.
DIET
- Workers and citizens groups stage demonstrations around Diet
- MSDF is supporting war of retaliation: JCP Shii
- JCP Koike demands cancellation of implementation of unfair system for elderly health care
- Fukuda's policy speech lacks substance: JCP Shii
CORRUPTION
- How can we trust these ministers? - Akahata editorial
- Fukuda's office submitted dubious receipts attached to funds reports
- Many cabinet ministers held accountable for dubious fund management
- Fukuda received donations from company awarded state contracts
- LDP Secretary General Ibuki received funds from deficit-ridden company
- Fukuda closely connected with business circles
OKINAWA
- 110,000 Okinawans in unison demand textbooks depict historical facts
ECONOMY
- Large corporations rake in more profits while workers earn less
WELFARE
- Former Hansen's disease patients working to have sanatoriums open to local communities - Akahata editorial
- 90 percent of facilities for disabled persons call for abolition of beneficiary-pays principle
- JCP requests government apply disaster relief law to rebuilding houses
EDUCATION
- Adachi Ward to stop school budget allocation in proportion to test scores
JCP
- Shii attends reception celebrating China's foundation
Burma People’s Movement/Technology
AsiaMediaForum.org is a space for journalists to share insights on issues related to the media and their profession, as well as stories, information and opinions on democracy, development and human rights in Asia.
BURMA: With Technology as Weapon, Citizens Become Reporters
Posted: 2007-09-28
By Lynette Lee Corporal
BANGKOK, Sep 28 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - In sharp contrast to the lack of information during the 1988 military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Burma, streams of graphic accounts of the biggest uprising in two decades continue to come from within the country, aided by technology and the Internet.
