Daily Yomiuri Online :: Wednesday, July 29, 2009

• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / LDP vows to make preschool free (Jul.29)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  The Liberal Democratic Party will introduce free education for preschool children aged between 3 and 5 over the next four years and take quick steps to support people's livelihoods if it forms the next government, according to a draft of the party's manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives election, the full text of which was revealed Tuesday. continued ...


• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / DPJ shift to pragmatic approach causes stir (Jul.29) ★
  Takeo Azuma / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
  The Democratic Party of Japan, in its manifesto, has shifted to a pragmatic approach in its foreign policy, a move clearly aimed at attracting conservative votes in the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election. continued ...


• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / LDP guard up over Aso gaffe fears (Jul.29)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  Liberal Democratic Party officials are growing anxious over what Prime Minister Taro Aso might say in the run-up to the House of Representatives election after he suggested Saturday that the elderly are only good for working. continued ...


• Group aims to help cut vote value disparities (Jul.29)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  Lawyers and business leaders on Tuesday established a group to raise public awareness about the current discrepancies in vote values among Diet members' constituencies in rural and urban areas, aiming to encourage society to solve the problem. continued ...


• Editorial :: Parties must show how to deal with deficit (Jul.29)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  How can Japan, which has the largest deficit among developed countries, rebuild its finances? This is a vital issue to be contested during the House of Representatives election campaign and a theme neither the ruling nor the opposition parties can avoid. continued ...