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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 004248
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 09/12/07
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule
MSDF refueling mission:
4) Eight cases since 2001 of mostly piracy encounters by
multinational forces in Indian Ocean underscore effectiveness of
blocking terrorist transit
5) US rear admiral: "Even if MSDF discontinues refueling mission, it
would be manageable," but stresses significance of participation in
coalition
6) Pakistani Navy can operate with oil supplied by other countries
than Japan: MSDF Chief of Staff Admiral Yoshikawa
7) Cabinet backs Prime Minister Abe's resolve to continue MSDF's
refueling mission
8) New bill to replace anti-terror law would be limited to MSDF
supplying oil and water, will likely be adopted by the cabinet on
Sept. 21
9) DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ozawa reiterates
opposition to any form of anti-terror legislation
10) DPJ plans to pursue LDP in Diet on charge that MSDF refueled US
ships heading toward Iraq
11) DPJ asks for 45 documents related to MSDF refueling mission,
will file censure motion if new anti-terror mission is re-passed by
Lower House
Diet agenda:
12) LDP to delay introducing bill to reform political funds control
system
13) DPJ to introduce three bills to extra Diet session: pension
reform, political funds reform, and scrapping the Iraq
reconstruction law
14) DPJ refuses to meet with ruling party officials to discuss
legislation; Only concentrating on fight in the Diet
15) DPJ to ready candidates for Lower House election by the end of
the year
16) Japan is replenishing IAEA funds with 57 million yen
contribution that will include covering inspections in North Korea
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Municipal education boards reluctant to make public results of
nationwide academic achievement tests at local elementary, junior
high schools
Mainichi:
Board of Audit to scrutinize Social Insurance Agency over pension
embezzlement by its employees
Yomiuri:
50 PERCENT of law schools in survey call for reviewing current
system allowing law school teachers to make bar exam questions
Nikkei:
TOKYO 00004248 002 OF 011
Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy to formulate new strategies to
revitalize local economies
Sankei:
MSDF-fueled coalition forces halted eight cases, mostly piracies, in
Indian Ocean; Terrorist groups unable to move
Tokyo Shimbun:
Only 62 PERCENT of hospitals able to prove around-the-clock
emergency care for children
Akahata:
Government to introduce new legislation to continue MSDF refueling
mission for US vessels
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) SDF dispatch not requiring Diet approval raises questions about
democracy
(2) Taxi fares must be liberalized
Mainichi:
(1) Tax reform postponed: Diet must not forget fiscal
reconstruction
(2) Japan loses key seat on International Judo Federation
Yomiuri:
(1) Law revision should help stamp out drunk driving
(2) Financial Instruments Trade Law: Customers should always come
first
Nikkei:
(1) APEC declaration raises questions about reducing emissions
(2) Prefectural offices also breeding ground for pension
embezzlement
Sankei:
(1) DPJ President Ozawa must keep door open for talks on
Antiterrorism Law
(2) Social Insurance Agency must complete checks on pension records
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Future of nation's economy gloomy
(2) Emergency quake warning system not almightily
Akahata:
(1) Citizens must play central role in Higashi Osaka mayoral race
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, September 11
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 12, 2007
09:33
Met at the Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano and Deputy
Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono. Followed by former Defense Vice
Minister Moriya. Later met incoming and outgoing Vice Agriculture
Ministers Shirasu and Kobayashi.
TOKYO 00004248 003 OF 011
10:02
Attended a cabinet meeting. Met Internal Affairs and Communications
Minister Masuda. Followed by Election Bureau Director General Suga.
12:03
Attended a meeting of the government and ruling camp liaison
conference. Later, met Secretary General Aso.
13:10
Met New Komeito President Ota. Followed by former Secretary General
Nakagawa.
14:37
Met Tax Research Council Chairman Tsushima.
17:25
Returned to his official residence.
4) MSDF-fueled coalition forces interdicted eight times, mostly
piracies, in Indian Ocean; Terrorist groups unable to move through
area
SANKEI (Top play) (Full)
September 12, 2007
The coalition forces composed of 11 countries, including the United
States and Britain, which have been engaged in operations in the
Indian Ocean as part of the antiterrorism operations in and near
Afghanistan have interdicted eight times, including piracies, over
five-and-a-half years' time, a Japan-US military source revealed
yesterday. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has been providing
naval vessels of those countries with water and fuel under the
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. The fruits of the coalition
forces remained unclear. The revealed cases have proven that the
MSDF mission has actually contributing to safety in the Indian
Ocean.
Following 9/11, forces of the United States, Britain and other
countries launched the antiterrorism operations in and near
Afghanistan. Islamic militants have reportedly been transporting
drugs and weaponry and ammunition via Iran from Afghanistan and
Pakistan or via the Indian Ocean. In order to block the transport of
such materials that could result in terrorism, naval vessels of 11
countries, including the United States, Britain and France, have
been engaged in activities to inspect and seize terrorist-related
ships in the Indian Ocean.
Enacting the Antiterrorism Law in October 2001, Japan has sent MSDF
supply ships and a destroyer to the Indian Ocean. Japan's services
to provide fuel and water to naval vessels and helicopters in the
Indian Ocean have won high recognition internationally. But actual
results accomplished by the foreign vessels have not been made
public for such reasons as that revelation might undermine the
deterrence against terrorism or that they are connected with
intelligence. This is the first time that specific achievements have
been disclosed.
According to the Japan-US military source, a large part of the eight
cases cracked by this past June was piracy against tankers,
commercial ships and fishing boats that did not involve any Islamic
terrorist groups, such as the Al Qaeda and Taliban. This seems to
show that activities by the coalition forces and MSDF have been
TOKYO 00004248 004 OF 011
serving as deterrence against the maritime movement of terrorists.
5) US rear admiral: "Even if MSDF discontinues refueling mission, it
would be manageable," but stresses significance of participation in
coalition
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
September 12, 2007
Furumoto, Manama (Bahrain)
Senior officers from the Coalition of the Willing responded to an
interview with the Mainichi Shimbun and other news companies on the
morning of Sept. 11, local time, at the US Navy 5th Fleet
Headquarters. In Japan, deliberations on the issue of whether to
extend the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law will soon start full
swing in the current extraordinary Diet session. These officers
expressed their expectations for the continuation of the Maritime
Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling mission.
United States Naval Forces Central Command Deputy Commander Rear
Admiral Swift said: "If the MSDF discontinues refueling services, it
will bring a major loss, but we will be able to cope," adding: "The
real problem is that Japan would no longer play a role (in the
Coalition of the Willing)." He thus stressed the significance of
Japan's participation in the coalition, rather than the contents of
its operations themselves.
Pakistani Navy Commodore Hasham, who serves as commander for the
task force which MSDF troops has joined, stated: "If the MSDF
discontinues its mission, the Pakistani Navy will suffer the most
serious damage. Operations by our task force's naval vessels are
expected to decline by about 40 PERCENT ."
Hasham, though, indicated that the Pakistani Navy would not stop its
operations immediately even if Japan withdraws MSDF troops. He said:
"We must take responsibility over the long run to maintain the
security of this region."
6) Pakistani Navy can operate with oil supplied by other countries
than Japan
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
September 12, 2007
It has been learned that Pakistani naval ships are highly considered
to be able to operate even with oil supplied by other countries than
Japan, such as the United States, although it has been said that
high-quality fuel supplied by Japan is necessary for Pakistan's
operations. This view apparently contradicts an explanation by the
Japanese and US governments and will destroy one of the grounds for
Japan's dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) troops. This
also might have some impact on Diet deliberations on new legislation
designed to extend the MSDF mission
In a press conference yesterday, MSDF Chief of Staff Admiral Eiji
Yoshikawa said: "I do not think Pakistani ships cannot operate with
fuel of other countries than Japan," adding that supplies by other
participant countries than Japan, such as the US, should be
"basically possible."
Yoshikawa emphasized the high quality of fuel supplied by the MSDF,
TOKYO 00004248 005 OF 011
saying: "It is our policy to provide very clear oil by using a fuel
cleaning device." But he also said: "(Other refueling vessels) also
install a fuel cleaning device."
A former Japan Defense Agency chief explained why the US wants Japan
to continue to provide Pakistan with oil: "It is free. In addition,
the Pakistani people would be upset if their navy were to receive
oil from the US."
In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun on Aug. 3, US Ambassador to
Japan Schieffer called on Japan to continue refueling operations,
remarking: "High-quality oil is necessary for Pakistani Navy
destroyers. Unless Japan joins the operations, there may be some
effect on the ongoing Pakistani operations."
Foreign Ministry's Vice Minister Shotaro Yachi also said in an
interview on Sept. 10:
"To put them in the terms of automobiles, Pakistani Navy vessels
need high-octane gasoline. Only SDF refueling vessels can provide
it. If Japan discontinues refueling service, it will become
difficult (for Pakistan) to continue operations."
7) Continuation of MSDF refueling operations: Prime minister seeks
solidarity; Cabinet ministers support his staking premiership on
issue
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
September 12, 2007
Regarding the terrorist attacks on the US, which marked the 6th
anniversary yesterday, Minister Shinzo Abe during a liaison council
meeting between the government and the ruling parties held the same
day stressed, "A large number of people from various countries
engaged in international contribution activities in Afghanistan died
in terrorist attacks. The fight against terrorism is continuing. It
is one of the top agenda items that should be dealt with by
countries throughout the world."
He then sought solidarity between the government and the ruling bloc
for Diet passage during the current session of a bill allowing the
Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to continue refueling operations
in the Indian Ocean. He noted: "In order for Japan to live up to
great expectations that it contribute to the peace and security of
the international community, it is imperative for it to continue the
operations."
In response, New Komeito Chairman Akihiro Ota came around to Abe's
stance, saying, "The MSDF's activities are based on a United Nations
resolution. They should be continued for the sake of Japan's
national interest." However, he also added, "Public understanding is
not sufficient. The government needs to make efforts to gain
understanding from the public."
Following Abe's statement that he would stake his premiership on the
continuation of the MSDF refueling operations, a number of cabinet
ministers supported his resolve in press conferences held the same
day.
State Minister in charge of Financial and Administrative Reform
Yoshimi Watanabe praised Abe's resolve, noting, "The prime minister
indicated his indomitable resolve. It was graceful of him." To a
TOKYO 00004248 006 OF 011
question that the prime minister could lose his power base, he
replied: "On the contrary, he will strengthen his power base. His
statement carries special weight. It is a very serious thing for
politicians to make such a statement."
Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama said, "I do not take it as an
indication of his resignation." He explained, "The prime minister is
a very pure person. I interpret it that he made that statement
because of his perception on his commitment to the international
community and the heavy responsibility he bears."
8) New antiterrorism legislation that will limit the MSDF's mission
to supply of oil, water likely to get cabinet approval, possibly on
Sept. 21
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 12, 2007
The government yesterday sketched out new legislation to replace the
current Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. This new bill will be
approved at a cabinet meeting possibly on Sept. 21. This bill will
limit the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) operations in the
Indian Ocean to the supply of oil and water to vessels from 11
countries, including the United States and Britain. The bill will be
temporary legislation with a one- or two-year term time limit. All
missions will be in detail specified in the bill, so the bill will
have no stipulation requiring the government to obtain Diet approval
of the MSDF's activities. At a press briefing yesterday, Chief
Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano indicated a plan to submit the bill
to the Diet after both houses' budget committees' meetings, which
are to occur sometime between Sept. 18 and Sept. 20. The
government's and the ruling coalition's plan is that if the bill is
rejected by the Upper House, which the opposition bloc now controls,
they will again put the bill to a vote in the Lower House and
approve it.
Until recently the government and the ruling parties had prepared a
bill extending the current Antiterrorism Law, which stipulates that
the term of the MSDF deployment is to expire on Nov. 1. But the
opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or
Minshuto), have made clear their opposition to the bill, so the
government and the ruling bloc have now judged it will be difficult
to revise the law before its expiration. As a result, they turned
around their previous policy and decided to come up with a new
bill.
9) DPJ's Ozawa declares opposition to new antiterror legislation in
strongly forestalling the government's move for revote
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
September 12, 2007
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ or Minshuto)
President Ichiro Ozawa held a press briefing yesterday at party
headquarters and referred to new legislation the government and the
ruling coalition are considering submitting to the current Diet
session as a replacement of the current Antiterrorism Special
Measures Law. Arguing, "The Self-Defense Forces' (SDF) support for
the US forces obviously means exercising the right to collective
self-defense. Whatever sophistry the government may use, this does
not change," Ozawa declared his intention to oppose new
legislation.
TOKYO 00004248 007 OF 011
The government and the ruling coalition are hinting that if the DPJ
votes down the new legislation in the Upper House, they will again
put it to a vote in the Lower House and approve it by a two-thirds
majority. In this regard, Ozawa noted, "The results of the July
Upper House election are the expression of the public's will.
Politicians must recognize it properly." In addition, Ozawa strongly
attempted to forestall the move by the government and the ruling
parties, saying, "This is a matter of insight of the person in
power."
Some in the opposition bloc are insisting that the option of
submitting a censure motion against the prime minister should be
considered if the ruling bloc adopts the bill by re-voting, on the
grounds that it has ignored public opinion. But Ozawa avoided
commenting on this matter, noting, "It's too early to mention a
censure motion. No one can tell what will happen in the days
ahead."
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has proposed holding a one-on-one meeting
with Ozawa to discuss how to deal with new legislation, but Ozawa
indicated he was negative about that proposal, saying, "We should
make it a rule to have talks in an open manner."
10) DPJ to pursue government over suspicions for MSDF's refueling US
vessels engaged in operations in Iraq
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
September 12, 2007
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto)
yesterday decided to call on the government to present internal
documents concerning the actual state of the Maritime Self-Defense
Force's (MSDF) refueling operations in the Indian Ocean and if the
DPJ judges the documents are insufficient, it will propose
exercising the right to investigate state affairs. The DPJ is
suspecting that the MSDF might have refueled US vessels heading for
Iraq to be engaged in the campaign there by deviating from the
purpose of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. The DPJ will urge
the government to disclose details of the refueling activities, such
as the names of vessels, their missions, and the locations of
refueling. By pursuing the government about the suspicions that the
refueling operations might have been linked to the Iraq campaign,
the DPJ aims to seek the public's understanding about its opposition
to continuing the refueling mission.
Bolstered by the fact that it is now the first party in the Upper
House, the DPJ intends to repeatedly call on the government to
disclose information.
In debate in the Diet regarding an extension of the refueling
operations, the DPJ will give the first priority to investigation
into the allegation that the MSDF might have refueled vessels
heading for Iraq. By using a preliminary investigation the Lower
House's research bureau will conduct at the request by at least 40
Lower House members, the DPJ will call for disclosure of (1) names
of vessels that received refueling, (2) their missions and
operations after refueling, and (3) locations of refueling. If the
government's answers to these questions are not satisfactory, the
DPJ will then exercise the right to investigate state affairs at the
Upper House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense and demand in
accordance with Article 104 of the Diet Law that the government
TOKYO 00004248 008 OF 011
should disclose records.
House of Representatives member Kenji Eda (independent) pointed out
this suspicion based on his survey of the US Naval Forces Central
Command/US 5th Fleet's website. In a document entitled "Operation
Iraqi Freedom" posted on the website, there was the passage saying
that "The Japanese government has contributed 86,629,675 gallons of
oil worth 76 million dollars." This passage, however, was deleted
afterwards.
The Japanese government denied Eda's allegation with Defense
Minister Komura arguing, "He misread it." The government has
explained that Japan has refueled vessels from the United States and
other countries taking part in operations that are part of
"Operation Enduring Freedom," which means the war in Afghanistan.
But the government has not given any detailed explanation about the
actual state of US forces' activities. In a question-and-answer
session in the Upper House in April 2005, then Defense Agency
Director-General Yoshinori Ono, when asked whether oil provided by
Japan would be used for the Iraq operations, answered, "It's
difficult to identify the oil provided." This reply has been taken
by some in the DPJ as implying the possibility that oil provided by
Japan may have been used for the Iraq war.
Considering these circumstances, the DPJ has insisted that
information available to the public is very limited. On Sept. 10,
the DPJ's House of Councilors member Kun Hakushin rendered a written
inquiry to the government asking, "Has Japan provided anything to
other countries' vessels whose major missions are to take part in
the operations in Iraq?"
11) DPJ eyes censure motion if ruling camp resorts to Lower House
revote on new antiterrorism law
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
September 12, 2007
The Diet will kick off a full debate between the ruling and
opposition camps today, starting with representative interpellations
on Prime Minister Abe's policy speech. In the House of Councillors,
the opposition holds a majority. Under such a situation, the
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) tried to shake the Abe
administration yesterday, implying a possible submission of a
censure resolution and an exercise of its investigative power in
national politics.
The government and the ruling camp plan to submit a bill for a new
law to replace the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which expires
Nov. 1. In this connection, DPJ Upper House Secretary General Kenji
Hirata said in a press conference yesterday: "If the ruling camp
readopts the bill with two-thirds approval (in the House of
Representatives) over public opposition, public criticism of the
ruling parties will inevitably grow stronger. The ruling parties
should not resort to this means." Asked if the DPJ file a censure
motion against the prime minister if the ruling camp re-passes the
bill in the Lower House, Hirata said: "We naturally should have this
possibility in mind."
12) LDP put on hold submission of bill amending Political Fund
Control Law due to deep-seated cautious view on attaching receipts
for expenditures topping 1 yen
TOKYO 00004248 009 OF 011
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 12, 2007
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership yesterday decided not
to submit to the current Diet session a bill to further amend the
Political Fund Control Law intended to introduce a stricter standard
mandating the attaching of receipts for expenditures over 1 yen. It
has instead started looking into the possibility of submitting it in
the next regular Diet session or later. Its judgment is that given a
cautious view on the idea deep-rooted in the party, it would be
difficult to unify views of party members before the Diet session
ends. The move is bound to expose the LDP's inability to come up
with a specific proposal on its politics and money problem, one
factor for the crushing defeat of the party in the July Upper House
election.
Following the defeat in the Upper House election, the former
leadership has drafted an amendment to the Political Fund Control
Law that would obligate political organizations involving
politicians to attach receipts for operational expenditures
(excluding personnel expenses) topping 1 yen. However, a large
number of party members are cautious about the idea. Secretary
General Taro Aso during a press briefing on Sept. 4 indicated his
intention to undertake further coordination of views. He noted, "We
must sort out views of party members once more and work them out
properly."
13) DPJ to submit three bills to Upper House, giving up alternative
antiterrorism legislation
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged)
September 12, 2007
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) decided yesterday to submit to
the current extraordinary Diet session a bill to ban the use of
pension premiums to other purposes than pension benefits, a bill to
revised the Political Funds Control Law requiring politicians to
attach to their fund reports receipts for expenditures one yen or
more, and a bill to rescind the Iraq Reconstruction Special Measures
Law. The three bills will be submitted to the House of Councillors,
which is now controlled by the opposition camp. The largest
opposition party, however, decided not to submit legislation to
assist for the Afghan people's livelihood as an alternate to the
current Antiterrorism Law, even though the party had planned such.
The aim is to gear up to go on the offensive in Diet debate on the
pension issue and politics-and-money scandals, which were main
causes for the DPJ's big win in the July House of Councillors
election.
The pension bill stipulates that pension premiums would be used only
for benefits and administrative fees and other expenses would be
paid by national coffers. The bill will be re-submitted to the
ongoing session since it was scrapped at the August extraordinary
session. The DPJ has judged that the public still have a strong
interest in the pension issue since irregularities have been
discovered in succession.
The DPJ confirmed yesterday in a meeting of its Political Reform
Promotion Headquarters the submission of the bill revising the
Political Funds Control Law, aiming at highlighting the difference
with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition
TOKYO 00004248 010 OF 011
partner New Komeito, which are reluctant about attaching to
political fund reports receipts for every item costing one yen or
more.
Regarding providing aid to the Afghan people, which the DPJ has been
considering as an alternative measure to the extension of the
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, based on which the Maritime
Self-Defense Force has carried out its refueling mission in the
Indian Ocean, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa rejected the possibility of
presenting such a bill in a press conference yesterday. He said: "I
wonder why a bill is needed to assist the people's livelihood." The
main opposition party intends to emphasize its stance of criticizing
the Abe administration's entire foreign policy by submitting a bill
to scrap the Iraq reconstruction assistance special measures law.
14) DPJ refuses to hold consultations with ruling coalition
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Slightly abridged)
September 12, 2007
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to refuse any
requests from the government and ruling coalition to hold
consultations on an extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's
refueling operation in the Indian Ocean. Chances are slim that the
DPJ will agree to an extension of the MSDF's refueling operation.
The possibility is extremely low that new legislation to continue
the MSDF's mission will be passed through the Diet amicably.
The government and ruling camp aim to reach agreement on this issue
with the DPJ thorough negotiations. Some in the government and
ruling coalition are calling for holding working-level consultations
between the ruling and opposition camps. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
expressed his expectations for direct talks with DPJ President
Ichiro Ozawa.
At a press briefing yesterday, however, Ozawa revealed that he would
not hold any party-head talks, saying: "We will be able to hold
debate at the Diet. I think consultations at the committees and
other occasions should be open to the public."
The DPJ has determined that if it holds consultations with the
government and ruling parties, the public will see them as murky
negotiations. Therefore, the main opposition party has decided to
respond to Diet deliberations, refusing both the party-head talks
and the working-level consultations.
15) DPJ to pick candidates for next Lower House election in this
month
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
September 12, 2007
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) decided
yesterday to hold a meeting on Oct. 5 of the secretaries general of
its prefectural chapters, expecting that the House of
Representatives may be dissolved before the end of this year and a
snap election called. The DPJ will pick candidates for the next
Lower House election within September and the party leadership will
replace candidates whom it judges have no chance to win.
Election Campaign Committee Chairman Hirotaka Akamatsu issued on
Sept. 10 instructions to the prefectural chapters, in which he
TOKYO 00004248 011 OF 011
instructed them to complete the selection of candidates by Sept. 30.
Of the 300 single-seat constituencies, the party has yet to field
candidates for 79 electoral districts. The party headquarters will
file those the party picked thorough advertisement as candidates in
constituencies in which no candidate has not been fielded.
Akamatsu sent instructions on Sept. 30 to incumbent Lower House
members and candidates-to-be calling on them to (1) increase
supporters and strengthen relations with their supporting
organizations, (2) boost street activities and exchanges with
voters, and (3) increase posters, party members, and supporters.
16) Japan to disburse 57 million yen to IAEA for monitoring North
Korea
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
September 12, 2007
The Japanese government during an IAEA board meeting held on Sept.
11 announced a plan to disburse 500,000 dollars (approximately 57
million yen) for the monitoring and inspection of nuclear activities
in North Korea. The US, which had pledged the disbursement of
513,000 dollars at the emergency board meeting in July, also
released a plan to extend another 1.8 billion dollars. The IAEA has
calculated that the monitoring and inspection activities would need
1.7 million euro or approximately 268 million yen for the first year
and 2.2 million euro for the second year and asked its member
nations for additional contributions.
As of Sept. 11, only Japan and the US have pledged to disburse funds
for the monitoring and inspection activities by the IAEA. The
European Union noted in the meeting that it would look into such a
possibility.
The funds will be used for the purchases of monitoring equipment and
the cost of dispatching IAEA personnel to continue monitoring and
inspection activities at Yongbyon facilities in North Korea.
The Japanese government had announced a policy of not providing any
aid, including energy aid, as long as the abduction issue remains
unsettled. It takes the stand that since the measure this time is
intended to contribute for the IAEA's monitoring and inspection
activities, it does not fall under direct assistance to North
Korea.
SCHIEFFER