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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 003437
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/27/07
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule
4) Government puts off decision on next generation fighter, faced
with US ban on exports of F-22s
5) Taliban's murder of ROK cleric in Afghanistan raises question of
safety of 40 Japanese NGO members working in that country
Election polls:
6) Abe Cabinet support rate inches up a bit to 36.5%, but DPJ
continues to be favorite choice of Japanese voters: Yomiuri poll
7) DPJ continues to gain momentum in Asahi poll, and LDP could
plunge to below seats in survey-based prediction
8) DPJ expanding its lead over LDP in Mainichi poll, and only 31% of
voters want LDP to win the Upper House election 6
9) Kyodo poll finds voters favoring DPJ over LDP, 27% to 21%, a
slightly smaller gap than earlier polls
Abe on the ropes:
10) Abe administration goes into the Upper House election in crisis,
with former Prime Minister Mori hinting at Lower House dissolution
if losses that great
11) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura says prime minister
will feel responsible if the LDP suffers a big defeat in the
election
12) Prime Minister Abe insists that he intends to stay on in office
despite vote outcome
Akagi's woes:
13) Farm minister Akagi kept double set of books for his office
expenses
14) Akagi not feeling well, delays return home from trip 10
15) US beef sales in Japan gradually recovering one year after
resumption of imports
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Final poll on Upper House election: DPJ maintains momentum; LDP may
fall short of 40 seats
Mainichi:
Final poll on Upper House election: DPJ widens lead, with those who
expect LDP victory slightly declining to 31%
Yomiuri:
Person born in North Korea to Japanese mother allowed to return to
Japan based on DNA analysis
Nikkei:
NSC to beef up quake-resistance standards
Sankei:
11 electric power companies and other companies report on their
improvement plans to NISA, suggest using chemical fire trucks
TOKYO 00003437 002 OF 012
Tokyo Shimbun:
Disaster response centers not used in Kashiwazaki nuclear power
plant accident
Akahata:
Campaign endgame: JCP protects public from poverty and war
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Voters in single-seat constituencies angry at widening regional
differences
(2) NHK should first streamline itself before lowering subscription
fees
Mainichi:
(1) Taliban should stop killing innocent people
(2) 2007 Upper House election: Why is global warming not an issue?
Yomiuri:
(1) We expect graduate schools for education to produce excellent
teachers
(2) Mitsukoshi and Isetan: Realignment of department stores likely
to continue
Nikkei:
(1) NISA should become an independent body
(2) Taliban's brutality
Sankei:
(1) Ideas needed for enhancing national campaign to fight climate
change
(2) Reconsider the current entrance exam system, learning lessons
from cases of private senior high school's padding their numbers of
successful candidates
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) It's no good to be overly excited at rice exports to China
(2) Taliban should not kill any more innocent people
Akahata:
(1) Drastic review of quake-resistance standards essential for
ensuring safety
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, July 26
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
July 27, 2007
09:02
Left Haneda Airport on JAL 1461.
10:04
Arrived at Matsuyama Airport. Met at the airport with Upper House
lawmaker Junzo Yamamoto.
10:33
Canvassed the underground shopping district in front of Matsuyama
Station on the Iyo Railways.
TOKYO 00003437 003 OF 012
11:22
Stumped in front of the Iyotetsu Kaikan Hall.
12:39
Left Matsuyama Airport on JAL 1466.
13:47
Arrived at Haneda Airport.
15:04
Stumped at the East Exit of JR Kashiwa Station.
16:21
Stumped at the West Exit of JR Matsudo Station.
18:00
Canvassed streets in front of Keisei-Funabashi Station.
18:15
Stumped at the South Exit of JR Funabashi Station.
19:35
Stumped at the North Exit of JR Ichikawa Station.
21:02
Returned to his official residence.
4) Government to delay determining next-generation mainstay fighter
due to US decision to keep banning export of F-22
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
July 27, 2007
The government has begun considering continuing to use the F-4
fighter by delaying the selection of the country's next-generation
mainstay combat aircraft (FX), scheduled for next summer. This comes
from difficulty in coordinating views with the United States, which
places priority on keeping military secrets, about the
state-of-the-art stealth fighter F-22 Raptor, a leading candidate
for the FX. Tokyo intends to continue to ask Washington for
information on the F-22.
In accordance with the FY2005-2009 Midterm Defense Buildup Program,
Japan plans to introduce the first seven new fighters as
replacements of the Air Self-Defense Force's old F-4 fighters. A
study was underway with the aim of including the cost for it in the
FY2009 budget and determining the new model by the summer of 2008.
Then came the decision by the US House Appropriations Committee to
keep a clause banning the export of the F-22 in the FY2008 draft
national defense budget, derailing Japan's plan to select the new
model from several candidates, including the F-22.
Besides the F-22, Japan has six candidates, including the
Eurofighter jointly developed by four European countries. Japan
desperately wants the F-22 with high combat capability, according to
ASDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami.
Administrative Vice-Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya in a press
conference yesterday indicated that the ministry would review the
selection time, saying, "The time (for selection) is not fixed."
TOKYO 00003437 004 OF 012
"The ministry intends to determine the model it really wants when
the conditions are met rather than buying one that is inferior in
performance in order just to meet the deadline," a senior Defense
Ministry official explained.
But there are many hurdles that need to be cleared. One of them is
the United States' strong sense of distrust in Japan's information
management system. Former US Deputy Defense Undersecretary Richard
Lawless and others expressed concern over the leakage of information
on the Aegis system by SDF personnel to Moriya during his visit to
the US in early July. They remained cautious about providing
information to Japan.
Given the situation, the Defense Ministry has begun considering a
plan to extend the life of the F-4 so that the government will be
able to continue negotiations with the United States on providing
information on the F-22. During his visit to the US, Moriya said:
"Providing wide-ranging information regarding the FX is extremely
important for maintaining the Japan-US alliance of trust." Japan
intends to continue asking for information from a viewpoint of the
bilateral alliance.
Negations may become protracted. A Defense Ministry official said:
"If Japan says that it wants it right now, the United States might
raise the price by taking advantage of Japan's desire." His comment
also pointed to Japan's hope that the price of the F-22, which is
estimated at 25 billion yen to 40 billion yen a piece, might come
down through long negotiations.
In the event the ministry gave up on the F-22, buying an improved
model of the current F-15, which would cost 10 billion yen per
plane, is likely to become a dominant plan. Many think picking a
European fighter might rock the Japan-US alliance.
5) Scanner column -- Threat of Taliban's "new strategy" of
kidnapping foreign nationals with aim of toppling Karzai-led
government in Afghanistan
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
One week passed yesterday since the Islamic fundamentalist force,
Taliban, in Afghanistan kidnapped 23 South Korean nationals. The
Taliban apparently has put into operation its "new strategy" of
demanding the release of imprisoned Taliban fighters in exchange for
the release of foreign hostages. There is the fear that other
foreign nationals in Afghanistan, including Japanese, may be exposed
to the threat of kidnapping.
40 Japanese NGO members reside in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has not been able to restore law and order even though
it has been nearly six years since the Taliban government was
toppled. At present the international peacekeeping force (35,000
troops) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is
stationed for peacekeeping operations across the country, but the
government led by President Karzai (who assumed the post of
president in December 2004) remains unable to bring under its
control the Taliban. The Taliban is regaining momentum by absorbing
young people unable to find jobs as Afghanistan is now in a vicious
cycle of the delay in economic reconstruction and the deterioration
of law and order preventing reconstruction.
TOKYO 00003437 005 OF 012
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), 143 Japanese
nationals reside in Afghanistan as of June 2007, and of them, some
40 are members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Most live
in Kabul. On July 25 after the occurrence of the kidnapping of South
Koreans, MOFA strongly advised Japanese people to evacuate from
every part of Afghanistan as quickly as possible.
6) Poll: Cabinet support rate edges up to 36.5%
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
July 27, 2007
The support rate for the cabinet led by Prime Minister Abe reached
36.5%, up 1.7%age points over the level in last week's poll (July
17-19), in a (telephone-based) series of public opinion survey
conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun on July 24-26 to assess the
situation of the House of Councilors election. It was the second
increase in surveys and the highest in the six polls. The
non-support rate was 51.8%, down 0.8 point.
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) stood at 32.6% (up 1.3 points from
the last survey), followed by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or
Minshuto) at 25.6% (up 1.5 points). The support rate for the cabinet
among supporters of the LDP gained 4.8 points to 77%. This figure is
more than 10 points from the 3rd poll (July 3-5), which recorded the
lowest level. The support rate among supporters of the New Komeito
also grew to over 60% from the below 50% in the fist poll (June
5-7). The growing support among supporters of the ruling coalition
contributed to the rise in the overall cabinet support rating.
About 28% said they would vote for the DPJ in the proportional
representative segment, while 23% said they would vote for the LDP.
The poll also showed that 31% plan to vote for Minshuto candidates
in prefectural constituencies and that 27% plan to vote for LDP
candidates. Although the DPJ continues to maintain the lead, the
margin between the LDP and DPJ narrowed by three %age points in the
proportional representation race. This shows that the LDP facing a
severe situation is making a last-ditch effort ahead of the
election.
Respondents who said they appraised the government's measures to
deal with the pension mess accounted for 38%, up 2 points, while
those who said they don't made up 53%. Asked if the DPJ is making
efforts to come up with effective measures on this problem, 64%, up
3 points, said, "no," while 18%, almost the same level as the
previous poll, said, "yes."
Regarding the government's response measures to the Niigata
Prefecture Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake, 56% said they merit
appreciation, while 32% said they do not.
7) Poll: DPJ maintains momentum, LDP may fail to win even 40 seats
ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
The Asahi Shimbun conducted a nationwide telephone-based opinion
poll on July 24-25 to explore voter preferences at the final stage
of the campaigning for the July 29 House of Councillors election.
The survey found: 1) the number of seats won by the ruling Liberal
TOKYO 00003437 006 OF 012
Democratic Party would be less than 40; whether the New Komeito, the
LDP's junior coalition partner, can win the 12 seats up for
reelection is uncertain; the main opposition party, Minshuto
(Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ) would garner 60 seats; the
Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party were struggling
to maintain their status quo. It appears to unlikely that the LDP
and New Komeito will maintain their majority in the Upper House.
However, since unaffiliated voters, who account for about 50% of the
all voters, have the tendency to decide at the last minute for which
party they will vote or whether to abstain from voting, there still
remains uncertainty about the outcome of the Upper House race.
Compared to the survey conducted on July 17-18, in which the DPJ was
doing well, while the LDP was fighting an uphill battle, in the
latest poll, the DPJ was gaining momentum, while the LDP was facing
an even stronger headwind going into the election.
The LDP was leading DPJ in only four of 29 prefectural
constituencies, in which one seat is being contested. The four
districts include Gunma and Yamaguchi. The party was lagging behind
in 18 prefectural districts, including Okayama, while it was
competing with the opposition party in seven constituencies.
In ten prefectural districts, in which two seats are up for
reelection, including Gifu, the LDP eyed victories. The party was
putting up a good fight in Kyoto, but whether it can win in Hokkaido
remains uncertain. In the five constituencies where three seats are
up for grabs, the LDP will likely secure one seat in each, but it
will be difficult to win two seats in Chiba. In Tokyo where five
seats are up for reelection, the incumbents were doing well, while
new-face candidates were having a hard time.
It looks like the LDP will win 14 proportional representation seats.
As a result, the total number of seats won will fall to a new low of
36 seats, far less than the 44 seats it obtained in 1998.
8) DPJ extends lead; Those hoping for LDP win decline to 31%
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Full)
July 27, 2007
On July 25 and 26, this newspaper conducted a nationwide telephone
opinion poll, hoping to get a final read on voters' thoughts leading
into the Upper House election on July 29. When asked which party
they would like to win -- the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or the
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) -- 45% of respondents said
Minshuto, a 1 point increase from a previous poll conducted on June
30 and July 1, and 31% replied that they would like the LDP to win,
a 2 point decrease. Respondents were asked which party or which
party's candidate they plan to vote for, and Minshuto has increased
its lead in both the electoral districts and the
proportional-representation segment. These results show that nothing
has changed the fundamental dynamic of the race, with Minshuto
remaining in control and the LDP facing an uphill battle.
This is the sixth time since last December that this newspaper has
asked respondents which party they want to win the election. Two
polls ago, in May, 42% said they wanted Minshuto to win while 33%
said they wanted the LDP to win. That was the first time for
Minshuto to surpass the LDP, and its lead has been growing ever
since.
TOKYO 00003437 007 OF 012
Looking at the breakdown by race, in the electoral districts, 33%
want Minshuto to win -- the same as in the previous poll -- and 26%
want the LDP to win -- a 2 point decrease. In proportional
representation, 36% want Minshuto to win - a one point increase -
and 25% want the LDP to win - a 2 point decrease. The gap between
Minshuto and the LDP has increased by 2 points in the electoral
districts and 3 points in proportional representation.
Looking at the support rates for the two parties, the LDP and
Minshuto have switched places, with 24% supporting Minshuto, a 6
point increase from the last poll, and 22% supporting the LDP, a 3
point decrease. This is the third time that Minshuto's support rate
has surpassed that of the LDP in a poll. Minshuto also surpassed the
LDP in a poll taken right after the Upper House election in August
1998 and in a poll taken right after the Lower House election in
July 2000. In both of those elections, the LDP lost many seats. In
addition, although Minshuto has in the past had difficulty winning
over female voters, this time around, 22% of women support Minshuto
while 21% support the LDP, meaning that this is the first time since
August 1998 that Minshuto has bested the LDP among women.
The support rates of other parties are as follows: New Komeito - 6%
; Japanese Communist Party - 4% ; Social Democratic Party - 3% ;
People's New Party - 1% ; New Party Nippon - 1% ; Unaffiliated -
34%. Some 82% of respondents said that they are interested in the
upcoming election, a 5 point increase, while 16% said that they are
not interested in the election, a 6 point decrease. As election day
nears, it seems that interest is growing.
Meanwhile, support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet was at
31%, a 1 point decrease to the lowest level since Abe took office in
September 2006. A total of 53% said they do not support the Abe
cabinet, a 1 point increase that ties its highest disapproval rate.
There appears to be little chance that the ruling coalition will
make a comeback.
9) Fifth trend survey: With DPJ at 27% and LDP at 21%, difference is
shrinking
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
Kyodo News Service conducted a nation-wide telephone-based opinion
survey (fifth trend survey) on July 25-26 to find out trends of
voters ahead of the July 29 House of Councillors election. The
results showed that 27.4% of respondents said that they would vote
for the Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ candidates in the
proportional representation segment, while 21.5% picked the Liberal
Democratic Party or LDP candidates. This clearly showed the DPJ is
still going strong in the final phase in contrast to the LDP's poor
performance. However, the difference between the two parties has
shrunk to 6.9 points from the 8.9 points marked in the fourth survey
conducted on July 14-15.
The news agency also conducted a telephone-based survey on July
24-26 in 21 districts. The situation by taking that information into
account is that the DPJ is keeping a lead in fiercely competitive
single-seat districts. The party is also likely to win the second
seat in part of the three-seat constituencies.
In the single-seat constituencies, the DPJ has a clear lead in
Tochigi and a slight lead in Kagoshima. The LDP is recovering in
TOKYO 00003437 008 OF 012
Kagawa, Kumamoto and Miyazaki. The LDP and DPJ are neck-and-neck in
Aomori, Ishikawa and Kochi. In Shimane, the People's New Party
newcomer is catching up with the LDP incumbent.
The DPJ's incumbent is enjoying stability in the two-seat Hokkaido
constituency, while the LDP incumbent and an unaffiliated newcomer
are engaged in a fierce battle.
In three-seat Saitama and Kanagawa, DPJ newcomers are clearly ahead
of others. DPJ and LDP newcomers are in a close race in Chiba, where
three seats are being contested. In Aichi, the New Komeito incumbent
is following DPJ and LDP candidates. In Tokyo where five seats are
at stake, DPJ and New Komeito incumbents are ahead of others.
The rate of support for the Abe cabinet was 29.2%, up 1.1 points
from the all-time low of 28.1% in the previous survey since the
cabinet was launched last September. The disapproval rate has also
increased 0.9 points to a record 59.7%.
10) Concern growing in Abe administration as election day nears
SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
There are no signs of the strong headwind against the ruling
coalition abating. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is devoting all his
time to stumping around the nation for the upcoming House of
Councillors election. In campaign speeches, he indicates his
eagerness to stay on as prime minister, but Liberal Democratic Party
members are increasingly concerned about the post-election
situation, since many observers consider it a sure thing that the
ruling camp will lose its majority. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro
Mori referred yesterday for the first time to a possible dissolution
of the House of Representatives.
Prime Minister Abe stressed in a street-corner speech yesterday in
Matsudo, Chiba: "I receive frank views from many people when I visit
various places across the nation to deliver campaign speeches. I
have renewed my resolve to reflect such voices in national
politics." In the cabinet's email magazine yesterday, as well, the
prime minister reiterated, citing the reforms of the public servant
system, the education system, and the Constitution: "It is necessary
to steadily accelerate the reform drive without losing sight of
their starting points, even under any circumstances. I am determined
to perform this mission assigned to me."
In the final phase of the election campaign, the candidates
supported by the LDP and those by opposition parties are still
locked in neck-and-neck races in many of the 29 single-seat
constituencies, the results of which will affect the outcome of the
election. Given this, the LDP views nine constituencies, including
Ehime, Toyama, Okayama, and Kagoshima, as priority districts and is
beefing up campaign efforts there.
As shown by the results of recent opinion polls, however, it is
unlikely that the LDP will win 51 seats, the minimum number for the
ruling coalition to keep its majority, which is also premised on the
New Komeito garnering 13 seats.
In such a hard situation for the LDP, Mori referred in a campaign
speech in Toyonaka, Osaka, yesterday to a possible dissolution of
the Lower House, saying:
TOKYO 00003437 009 OF 012
If the opposition camp holds a majority in the Upper House, it will
become impossible for the bills sent from the Lower House to be
adopted there. If such a situation occurs, the ruling camp, driven
into a corner, will have to dissolve the Lower House.... We are not
afraid of dissolving the Lower House, but in such a case, politics
will become instable, and that will be very unfortunate for the
people.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Shimomura said in a street
speech in Tokyo: "We cannot definitely say that there will be no
possibility of Prime Minister Abe's resignation even if the LDP and
the ruling coalition lose many seats. If we suffer a crushing
defeat, the prime minister must take responsibility." Afterward,
Shimomura told reporters at the Kantei: "I don't believe we will
suffer a major loss. The situation will not become such that the
prime minister's responsibility is pursued. I made the remark with
the aim of boosting morale."
The growing sense of alarm in the LDP is triggering discord among
party members.
11) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura says remark about prime
minister's responsibility after major defeat meant to boost morale
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
July 27, 2007
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hakubun Shimomura, a member of the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stated in a campaign speech
yesterday in Tokyo:
"I don't believe it's the case that Prime Minister Abe will not
resign regardless of the number of seats the ruling coalition wins.
I think if the LDP suffers a crushing defeat, Prime Minister Abe
will feel responsibility for it."
His remarks were taken to mean that if the ruling camp loses big in
Sunday's House of Councillors election, Abe might resign as prime
minister. At a press conference held later at the Prime Minister's
Official Residence, Shimomura said:
"I made the remarks to gear up the party. I assume that we won't
lose big, so I don't believe that the number of seats will trigger
calls for the prime minister to take responsibility."
Regarding the prime minister's responsibility for the results of the
upcoming Upper House race, Chief Cabinet Secretary General Yasuhisa
Shiozaki stated that Abe should stay in office even if the ruling
coalition suffers a crushing defeat, saying that the Upper House
election is not an occasion to choose an administration. Some LDP
candidates running for the election have raised objections (against
Shiozaki's comment), with one candidate arguing, "While we are
making a final push, his remarks give the impression that we are
trying to evade responsibility."
In consideration of those candidates, Shimomura appears to have
offered the explanation. However, some in the ruling coalition are
perplexed at his explanation, with one member noting, "Candidates
would be confused when the chief cabinet secretary and deputy chief
cabinet secretary make different comments."
TOKYO 00003437 010 OF 012
12) Prime Minister Abe desires to stay on in office
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
July 27, 2007
In the Abe cabinet's e-mail magazine No. 39 that the Prime
Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) posted yesterday, Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe wrote that he would move forward with his reform
drive from the starting point. This has been taken as the expression
of his strong desire to continue to serve as prime minister even
after the July 29 House of Councilors election.
Citing reforms of the public servant system, the education system,
and the Constitution, the prime minister wrote that strong
objections against fundamental reform of these systems would be
unavoidable. He stressed that he would not fun from reform, no
matter how strong the objections would be.
He then added that he would steadily promote the reform drive,
without forgetting the starting point, in order to fulfill his
duties. His words were filled with signs of willingness to continue
to serve as prime minister.
13) Two organizations related to Agriculture Minister Akagi found to
have doubly reported political activity expenses
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
It was found that the LDP chapter headed by Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries Minister Akagi (elected from Lower House Ibaraki No. 1
constituency) and his supporters' association had doubly reported
about 200,000 yen in postal expenses in their political funds
payments reports for 2003 attaching copies of the same receipt. The
case was found through the data disclosed by Ibaraki Prefecture at
the request of the Asahi Shimbun. Akagi's office acknowledged the
double declarations of the expenses, noting, "There was an
administrative management error in the payments report of the
supporters' association." The supporters' association corrected the
error yesterday.
The double declaration involved the LDP Ibaraki Prefecture No. 1
constituency chapter headed by Akagi and located in Mito City, and
his supporters' association, a political organization where a person
connected with Akagi's office is responsible for accounting and
whose main office is located at Akagi's parents' home in Chikusei
City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Both offices reported the same postal
expenses separately to the Ibaraki Prefecture Election
Administration Commission as political activity expenses attaching a
copy of the receipt, as it is mandatory to do so if office expenses
exceed 50,000 yen.
14) Agricultural Minister Akagi delays return to Japan, after taking
ill
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
July 27, 2007
Agricultural Minister Norihiko Akagi, who is visiting Beijing in
connection with Japan's resumption of rice exports to China after a
hiatus of four years, yesterday suffered diarrhea and felt dizzy on
standing up. He cancelled his plan to board a plane yesterday
TOKYO 00003437 011 OF 012
evening to return to Japan. According to a ministry official, "The
cancellation was made by way of precaution." After seeing a local
physician, Akagi will decide when to return home.
15) US beef imports making gradual comeback a year after removal of
ban: Prices still 10% -20% higher than pre-ban level
MAINICHI (Page 10) (Excerpts)
July 27, 2007
It has been a year since the ban on US beef imports was lifted on
July 25 2006. Imports had continued to stay flat, but now they have
clearly taken an upward turn following the end of inspections of all
boxes and the resumption of the use of US beef by retailers and the
food service industry. One leading food service company took the
view that consumer anxieties about the safety of US beef have been
wiped away to a considerable degree. However, the prices are still
higher. It will likely take time before sales return to the level
before the ban was placed in 2003.
According to the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the volume of US beef imports since
the resumption has reached 26,040 tons as of July 20. May saw an
increase to 2,880 tons. Imports jumped to 4,311 tons in July, a
month when all-box inspections were abolished.
Among leading supermarket chains, Seiyu started selling US beef in
March at some of its outlets, followed by Ito-Yokado and Uny. These
companies have since increased the number of outlets that sell US
beef. Now Seiyu sells US beef at 250 outlets, Ito-Yokado at 115
outlets and Uny at 31 outlets. A Seiyu spokesperson noted that US
beef sells well. However, the ratio of US beef to all beef sold at
these stores appears to be less than 10%, because the volume of
imports is still small. The prices are also 10% -20% higher than the
pre-ban level at most stores.
Among restaurant chains, Yoshinoya D resumed serving beef-bowls
last September. However, its procurement amount is only 30% -40% of
the level before the ban was imposed. It will likely have to
continue selling beef-bowls for limited times. Some Matsuya Foods
stores started using US beef in February. The price of their
beef-bowls using US products is 390 yen, 40 yen higher than
beef-bowls using Australian beef.
Barbecue restaurant chain Sakai uses US beef at all its stores
starting in April. However, the price of one portion of boneless
short plate is about 50% higher than the pre-ban level. Some
restaurant chains, such as Skylark Co., are still refraining from
using US beef, claiming that Australian products suffice.
US sources expect Japan to ease import condition
Senior Director Harada of the Tokyo office of the US Meat Export
Federation (USMEF) said: "We are hearing an increasing number of
consumers saying that they do not mind buying US beef. We will
continue sending messages in order to expand US beef consumption."
USMEF Chairman Philip Seng said, when he came to Japan this month,
"We will aim at achieving 40,000 tons of exports for 2007.
Japan currently imports about 4,000 tons of US beef a month, which
is still one-fifth of the pre-ban level. A complete recovery is a
long way off. For this reason, observers are paying attention to
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whether the import condition that limits beef eligible for exports
to cattle aged 20 months or younger will be eased or not.
SCHIEFFER