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Egypt to raise price of subsidized bread: PM

STORY: Egypt to raise price of subsidized bread: PM SHOOTING TIME: May 29, 2024 DATELINE: May 30, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the televised press conference (Courtesy of the Egyptian Cabinet) 2. various of bread production STORYLINE: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced Wednesday that the price of subsidized bread will increase up to 20 piasters. The new decision will be enforced as of June 1, the prime minister told a televised press conference. The price of a loaf of bread, which is 5 piasters now, has not been changed for more than 30 years, he said, noting that it costs the government 125 piasters to produce it. However, Madbouly said bread subsidies would continue, adding that adjustments have to be made to reflect the significant increases in production costs. He added that the cabinet discussed means of promoting the subsidy system to ease financial burdens on the government and ensure that the subsidized commodities reach the

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Japan eases weapon export rules

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the parliament building in Tokyo on March 26, 2024, following the Cabinet's decision to ease Japan's strict defense equipment transfer rules, allowing worldwide export of next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy.

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Japan eases weapon export rules

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the parliament building in Tokyo on March 26, 2024, following the Cabinet's decision to ease Japan's strict defense equipment transfer rules, allowing worldwide export of next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy.

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Edouard Philippe announces the French government's official decision to abandon the Grand Ouest Airport - Paris

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announces the French government's official decision to abandon the Grand Ouest Airport (AGO) project in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, next to French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb and French Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition Nicolas Hulot following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 17, 2018. Photo by Denis Allard/pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Yemen's Houthi group sacks "cabinet" amid mass protests

STORY: Yemen's Houthi group sacks "cabinet" amid mass protests DATELINE: Sept. 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:49 LOCATION: Sanaa CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Houthi group holding a celebration to mark the birthday of the Muslim prophet Mohammed in the capital Sanaa. 2. various shots of Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi speaking at the celebration 3. various shots of Sanaa residents protesting on the street 4. various shots of the celebrations STORYLINE: Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday sacked their "cabinet" which controls the country's north, amid the eruption of mass protests. The decision was announced by the group's leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi during a celebration to mark the birthday of the Muslim prophet Mohammed in the capital Sanaa. "The formation of a new competent cabinet will serve as a first stage of essential change ... to correct policies, serve the people, and address economic problems," the rebel leader said in a televised speech. The move came a day after wide

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New Japan LDP leadership

Hiroshi Moriyama, the new chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's decision-making General Council, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2023, after taking the post as the party leadership changed along with the reshuffle of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet.

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Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone authorized to set up company to manage investments

STORY: Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone authorized to set up company to manage investments DATELINE: Aug. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Egyptian cabinet headquarters 2. various of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaking 3. various of the Sokhna port 4. various of factories within the Suez Canal Economic Zone 5. various of the Suez Canal Economic Zone under development STORYLINE: The Egyptian government on Thursday authorized the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to set up a joint-stock company called "SCZone Istithmar" to manage investments. According to a decision published by the official gazette, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has approved the move to establish the company, which is tasked with formulating strategic plans to manage the SCZone's current and future investments and set up joint development enterprises with the private sector. The company will also seek cooperation and establish partnersh

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Egypt decides 6-month gold imports' duty free

STORY: Egypt decides 6-month gold imports' duty free DATELINE: May 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of gold stores in Cairo STORYLINE: Egypt on Thursday announced to exempt gold imports from customs duties and other fees while added value taxes will remain to make stability in gold markets that see hiking prices. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made the decision, which will be applied for six months to travelers who bring gold products from abroad, but pearls and gemstones are not included in the new move, said the cabinet in a statement. The statement hasn't specified the amount of exempted gold from taxes. Local media reported that Egyptians can enter airports or ports with up to 150 grams of duty-free gold. "The new decision is good to pump more quantities of gold in the markets to reduce the prices amid the disruption of gold sales in Egypt in light of the shortage of U.S. dollars," Nady Naguid, general secretary of gold branch in Cai

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Egypt raises wheat supply prices

STORY: Egypt raises wheat supply prices DATELINE: April 15, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of wheat STORYLINE: The Egyptian cabinet approved an additional incentive, during its meeting Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, to supply wheat from farmers for the 2023 season, bringing the price of wheat to EGP 1,500 per ardeb of 23.5 carats. Nader Saad, a spokesperson of the Egyptian cabinet, said Wednesday's decision aims to support Egyptian farmers, encourage the expansion of strategic crop cultivation, and reduce the import bill. This decision comes in implementation of the directives from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to revise the supply price of wheat for farmers in the current harvest season. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo. (XHTV)

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Egypt condemns legalization of settlement outposts in West Bank by Israel

STORY: Egypt condemns legalization of settlement outposts in West Bank by Israel DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of headquarters of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry STORYLINE: The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday, condemning the Israeli cabinet's decision to legalize nine Israeli settlement outposts, which had been recently constructed in the West Bank. Egypt stressed that the decision represents a violation of the Security Council and United Nations resolutions and the relevant rules of international law. Egypt also warned of the consequences of this decision, which would inflame the severely congested situation in the occupied territories, in a way that foretells an increase in the scope and pace of violence, and will have dire repercussions on the security and stability of the entire region, calling for an immediate end to all unilateral measures on the part of Israel. Egypt affirmed that the only way to calm the situ

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Spain ends face mask mandate on public transport

STORY: Spain ends face mask mandate on public transport DATELINE: Feb. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:41 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of people without masks in public transport 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): YAIZA, Resident of Madrid 3. various of people without masks in public transport 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): PABLO, Tourist 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): YSABEL JESUS, Madrid resident 6. various of Spain's Minister for Health Carolina Darias 7. various of people without masks in public transport STORYLINE: Starting from Wednesday, people in Spain don't have to wear face masks on public transport. The decision was taken during Tuesday's cabinet meeting. It is the latest towards the normalization of life in Spain after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the obligatory use of face masks in most indoor settings ending on April 20, 2022, and outdoors a year ago, on Feb. 10. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): YAIZA, Madrid resident "We are happy about it, but it is true that in times of colds or flu, if there are a

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Spain ends face mask mandate on public transport

STORY: Spain ends face mask mandate on public transport DATELINE: Feb. 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people in Spain 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): CAROLINA DARIAS, Spain's Minister for Health 3. various of people in Spain STORYLINE: People in Spain will no longer have to wear face masks on public transport from Wednesday after the decision was taken to end their obligatory use as a protection against COVID-19 during Tuesday's cabinet meeting. The decision is the latest towards the normalization of life in Spain after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the obligatory use of face masks in most indoor settings ending on April 20, 2022, and outdoors a year ago, on Feb. 10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): CAROLINA DARIAS, Spain's Minister for Health "We eliminate the obligatory use of face masks on public transport, but face masks will still have to be worn in hospitals, health centers and pharmacies." The country's epidemiological situation is steadily improving, Darias

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Lebanese cabinet approves 116 mln USD in funds for ailing electric grid

STORY: Lebanese cabinet approves 116 mln USD in funds for ailing electric grid DATELINE: Jan. 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:58 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of cabinet meeting 2. various of Lebanese PM Najib Mikati speaking 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese PM 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese PM 5. various of cabinet meeting STORYLINE: The Lebanese cabinet on Wednesday approved funds to pay for two diesel ships needed to operate two power plants and cover their maintenance cost, hoping to provide a temporary solution for the power outage in the country. A statement by the Council of Ministers quoted Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati saying that the cabinet approved 62 million U.S. dollars to pay for two ships carrying 66,000 tons of diesel to operate Deir Ammar and Zahrani power plants and 54 million U.S. dollars to cover their maintenance cost. Mikati said that the decision to release 116 million U.S. dollars is the beginning of a solution to

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Japan protests China's suspension of visa issuance to citizens

The Japanese government on Wednesday protested China's decision to suspend the issuance of visas to Japanese travelers and urged the country to repeal the measure that is seen as retaliation for Tokyo adopting tighter COVID-19 entry restrictions. "It is extremely regrettable that China is restricting issuing visas for reasons besides novel coronavirus countermeasures," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference, adding Tokyo has protested through diplomatic channels. China stopped issuing new visas to Japanese and South Korean travelers Tuesday after it said it would respond to countries that introduced tighter coronavirus entry restrictions on visitors from China. Since late last year, Japan temporarily started tightening border controls on travelers from mainland China amid a surge of cases and fears that a new virus variant could emerge there.

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Egypt's population to exceed 158 million in 2050: report

STORY: Egypt's population to exceed 158 million in 2050: report DATELINE: Jan. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:54 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various shots of the Egyptian cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center 2. various shots of people walking in a street STORYLINE: Data from the Egyptian cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) highlighted on Sunday a report which indicated that the population of Egypt is expected to hit 158.8 million in 2050, up from 109.3 million in 2021. The report, published by local media Youm7, referred that the large population growth is attributed to high fertility rates (3.2), which is the fourth highest fertility rate in the Middle East and North Africa. Government officials have said that the country will need to increase its spending on infrastructure projects and development over the coming 30 years to accommodate the expected growth. In recent years, Egypt has launched several campaigns and programs to curb population growth, spending

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Cabinet Office denies staff spoke of PM "wishes" in favoritism scandal

TOKYO, Japan, June 16 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a session of the House of Councillors budget committee in Tokyo on June 16, 2017. Cabinet Office staff did not make comments implying Abe sought to sway a decision on a university construction project to benefit a close friend, the minister in charge of the office said the same day.

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Citizens protest Cabinet decision on collective self-defense

TOKYO, Japan - Citizens gather around the Diet building in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2014, to protest the Cabinet decision to enable Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense.

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Japan to send officials to N. Korea to check abduction probe

TOKYO, Japan - (From L) Sakie Yokota, Shigeo Iizuka and Teruaki Masumoto, whose family members were abducted by North Korea decades ago, meet the press at the Cabinet Office in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014, after they were informed by the government of its decision to send officials soon to North Korea to check its investigation into the fates of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang.

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Citizens protest against Japan's secrecy law

TOKYO, Japan - Citizens protest against a Cabinet decision on guidelines and other procedural details for the execution of a controversial state secrecy protection law in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2014. The act is set to come into effect as of Dec. 10.

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Ishiba to accept Abe's decision in Cabinet reshuffle

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeru Ishiba, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meets the press after talking with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 29, 2014. Ishiba, a former defense minister, said he will accept Abe's final decision on what position he is given when Abe reshuffles his Cabinet and LDP executive lineup the following week.

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Ishiba to accept Abe's decision in Cabinet reshuffle

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeru Ishiba, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meets the press after talking with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 29, 2014. Ishiba, a former defense minister, said he will accept Abe's final decision on what position he is given when Abe reshuffles his Cabinet and LDP executive lineup the following week.

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Scholars urge gov't to retract collective self-defense decision

TOKYO, Japan - A group of scholars issues a statement in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2015, urging the government to retract the Cabinet's recent decision allowing Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense.

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People stage rally against security policy change

TOKYO, Japan - People demonstrate in front of the Diet building (back) in Tokyo on July 13, 2014, in protest against the Japanese Cabinet's recent decision to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense.

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People protest against security policy change

TOKYO, Japan - People demonstrate in front of the Diet building in Tokyo on July 13, 2014, in protest against the Japanese Cabinet's recent decision to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense.

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Anti-Japan group stages protest in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - About 10 members of an anti-Japanese group stage a demonstration near the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong on July 4, 2014, following the Japanese Cabinet's decision to enable the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.

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Anti-Japan group stages protest in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - Members of an anti-Japanese group set fire to a photograph of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe near the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong on July 4, 2014, in protest against the Japanese Cabinet's decision to enable the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.

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Japan finalizes decision to ease sanctions on N. Korea

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe enters his office in Tokyo on July 4, 2014. His Cabinet formally decided to lift some of Japan's unilateral sanctions on North Korea after determining that Pyongyang is preparing to tackle the abduction issue in earnest.

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Matsusaka mayor to file suit against Cabinet decision on security

TSU, Japan - Mitsushige Yamanaka, mayor of the city of Matsusaka in the central Japan prefecture of Mie, meets the press at the city hall on July 3, 2014. The 38-year-old mayor said he is going to file a lawsuit, arguing the Cabinet decision to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense is unconstitutional.

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Matsusaka mayor to file suit against Cabinet decision on security

NAGOYA, Japan - Photo taken in around 2009 shows Mitsushige Yamanaka, mayor of the city of Matsusaka in the central Japan prefecture of Mie. The 38-year-old mayor said on July 3, 2014, he is going to file a lawsuit, arguing the Cabinet decision to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense is unconstitutional.

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N. Korea's missile launches to weigh on sanctions decision: Kishida

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on July 2, 2014, after being briefed about the previous day's Japan-North Korea abduction talks in Beijing. Kishida said Cabinet ministers will meet on July 3 to assess whether the abduction probe unit to be set up by Pyongyang has authority to investigate any organization in North Korea and whether to lift some of Japan's sanctions on the country.

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Protest against enhanced role for Japan's armed forces

TOKYO, Japan - Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe attends a press conference in Tokyo on July 1, 2014, to protest against the Cabinet's decision to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision "has overturned Japan's pacifist Constitution," Oe said.

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Protest against enhanced role for Japan's armed forces

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Sunao Tsuboi, director of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-Bomb Sufferers Organization, criticizes the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a protest in Hiroshima, Japan, on July 1, 2014, after the Cabinet approved reinterpreting the Constitution to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Protest against enhanced role for Japan's armed forces

OSAKA, Japan - People protest in front of the Liberal Democratic Party branch office in Osaka, Japan, on July 1, 2014, against the Cabinet's decision to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Protest against enhanced role for Japan's armed forces

TOKYO, Japan - People protest in front of the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 1, 2014, against the Cabinet's decision to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Protest against enhanced role for Japan's armed forces

TOKYO, Japan - People protest in front of the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 1, 2014, against the Cabinet's decision to allow the Self-Defense Forces to defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Cabinet OKs collective self-defense, reinterprets Constitution

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 1, 2014, after his Cabinet approved reinterpreting the Constitution so the Self-Defense Forces can defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Cabinet OKs collective self-defense, reinterprets Constitution

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 1, 2014, after his Cabinet approved reinterpreting the Constitution so the Self-Defense Forces can defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Cabinet OKs collective self-defense, reinterprets Constitution

SEOUL, South Korea - People in South Korea stage a demonstration on July 1, 2014, in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul against the Japanese Cabinet's approval for reinterpreting the Constitution so the Self-Defense Forces can defend allies under armed attack in collective self-defense. The decision marked a departure from Japan's postwar security policy despite criticism that its pacifist credo would be in danger.

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Ruling bloc apart on collective self-defense

TOKYO, Japan - New Komeito party deputy chief Kazuo Kitagawa (L) attends a meeting with Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Masahiko Komura (C) and LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on June 17, 2014, to discuss the government's drive to lift Japan's self-imposed ban on collective self-defense. The government set out on the day its draft overview of a Cabinet decision that would enable Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense, but the ruling parties remained divided over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push for the major policy change.

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PNP sacks party head, policy chief

TOKYO, Japan - Shizuka Kamei answers reporters' questions in Tokyo on the evening of April 5, 2012 concerning his dismissal as chief of the People's New Party. The junior coalition partner of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan decided the same day to dismiss its chief Kamei and policy chief Akiko Kamei. The decision comes after the two asserted the PNP should leave the ruling coalition after the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda decided to submit legislation to the Diet to double the sales tax in coming years.

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PNP sacks party head, policy chief

TOKYO, Japan - Mikio Shimoji (L), secretary general of the People's New Party, and Financial Services Minister Shozaburo Jimi (C), the sole Cabinet minister from the PNP, hold a press conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on the evening of April 5, 2012, after the party's decision to dismiss its chief Shizuka Kamei and policy chief Akiko Kamei. The decision comes after the two asserted the PNP should leave the ruling coalition due to their opposition to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's key policy goal of a sales tax hike.

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Gov't postpones decision on TEPCO compensation scheme

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Naoto Kan (L, back) leaves the table as members of his Cabinet conclude a meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 12, 2011, during which they postponed a decision on a plan to financially support Tokyo Electric Power Co. in its massive compensation burden arising from the nuclear crisis at its Fukushima plant.

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Gov't spokesman mum about Ozawa

TOKYO, Japan - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku wipes his forehead during a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2010, after a citizens' panel decided Ichiro Ozawa, a former secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, should be indicted over a scandal involving his political funds. Sengoku, the top government spokesman, did not elaborate on how the DPJ-led government will be affected by the panel's decision on the DPJ bigwig.

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Hatoyama to quit before election, hit by U.S. base fiasco

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) shakes hands with Shizuka Kamei, leader of the People's New Party who concurrently serves as state minister in charge of postal and financial affairs, before an extra Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2010. Earlier in the day, Hatoyama announced his decision to step down.

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Hatoyama to quit before election, hit by U.S. base fiasco

TOKYO, Japan - Shizuka Kamei (L), leader of the People's New Party who concurrently serves as state minister in charge of postal and financial affairs, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (C), and Deputy Prime and Finance Minister Naoto Kan sit for an extra Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2010. Earlier in the day, Hatoyama announced his decision to step down.

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Top bureaucrats hold presumably last agenda-setting meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwao Uruma, the chair of twice-weekly meetings of administrative vice ministers, speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 14 after the top bureaucrats held their last meeting under the government of Prime Minister Taro Aso. The Democratic Party of Japan, which is set to form a coalition government on Sept. 16, advocates abolishing the meetings to give elected officials greater decision-making power.

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PM ready to talk to Ozawa over BOJ chief nomination: Machimura

TOKYO, Japan - Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on March 10, saying Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is ready to meet with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, over the government decision to appoint Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto as successor to BOJ Gov. Toshihiko Fukui. The opposition camp, which opposes Muto's appointment, controls the House of Councillors, which must ratify the nomination.

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Diet approves 12-day extension, delaying election to July 29

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and other Cabinet ministers bow in apology at a plenary session of the House of Representatives on June 22 after the lower house decided to extend the current ordinary Diet session by 12 days through July 5. The decision will delay the House of Councillors election from July 22 until July 29.

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New LDP leader Abe names top party executives

TOKYO, Japan - New Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe named on Sept. 25 former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa (L) as secretary general of the governing party, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa (C) as chairman of the Policy Research Council, and former health and welfare minister Yuya Niwa as chairman of the decision-making General Council.

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Japan to pull ground troops from Iraq, expand airlift aid to Baghdad

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga speaks at a press conference at his agency on June 19 following a Cabinet decision to pull Japan's ground troops from southern Iraq. He said, ''I am very glad that over the past two-and-a-half years, a total of 5,500 GSDF members were able to carry out safe and sound their mission to help reconstruct Iraq.''