Press Conference,
Ivars Godmanis,
Prime Minister, The Republic of Latvia

The speech and Q & A will be in English.

The full text of this notice will be posted shortly.

Please reserve in advance to help us plan properly (still & TV cameras inclusive). Reservations are not complete without confirmation.

Professional Activities Committee

The FCCJ "Hacks & Flacks" New Year Party

It's that time of the year again -- please come and join us for our unique and popular "Hacks & Flacks" New Year Party!

We journalists count on their cooperation, pester them with questions, ask to interview their bosses and only rarely thank them. We're talking about the press and public relations representatives that we contact, often on a daily basis, yet rarely have the chance to meet and chat with informally.

The FCCJ is creating just such an opportunity with the Hacks & Flacks New Year Party. The club has invited the press and public relations representatives of several dozen top companies -- including the leading electronics, auto and financial firms -- as well as the press secretaries of key ministries to be our guests at this event. It is a way for us to express our appreciation for the support we receive from these hard-working individuals.

All FCCJ members are welcome to attend. Please join us for a guaranteed fun evening, with a performance by "The Newspaper," the famous local satire theatrical group, with their renowned Koizumi, Aso & Fukuda impersonators.

The club will put on a special buffet and a selection of drinks all for just 2,500 yen per person!

To help us plan properly, please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or http://www.fccj.or.jp). Cancellations will be accepted up to 24 hours prior to the event for Associate members and guests, and one hour prior for working press members (by telephone only on the day of the event). Reservations are not complete without confirmation and cannot be made by replying to this email.

Catherine Makino, President
Professional Activities Committee

Press Conference:
"Jane," Asako Suzuki, Hiroshi Takahashi & Toyomi Watanabe;
Australian Rape Victim Takes Case to Supreme Court

The speech and Q & A will be in English and Japanese with English interpretation.

"Jane", an Australian woman who was raped by a U.S. Navy sailor in April 2002, has decided to appeal to Japan's Supreme Court after losing her case at the Tokyo High Court level against the Kanagawa Police. She has sued the police for their alleged mistreatment when she sought their protection after the incident, in what she calls a "second rape" against her.

Earlier this year, Jane finally found the U.S. military serviceman in question, who had already left the country, and she is still waiting for a response from the U.S. government on how it plans to handle the case.

On Dec. 22, Jane will be joined by Hiroshi Takahashi, Asako Suzuki and Toyomi Watanabe, who all belong to a legal team of over 30 lawyers that will represent her at the Supreme Court.

The representatives of the legal team above will talk about their strategy and plans for the appeal.

Asako Suzuki, Hiroshi Takahashi, "Jane" & Toyomi Watanabe