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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 005365
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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11//07
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Defense scandal:
4) Former Defense Vice Minister Moriya and wife arrested on charge
of accepting bribes from defense contractor (Mainichi)
5) Prime Minister Fukuda laments the loss in confidence in Japan's
defense due to the Moriya scandal (Mainichi)
6) Moriya arrest will inevitably impact sharply on Diet
deliberations on the antiterrorism bill (Sankei)
7) Government and ruling parties shaken by the arrest of Moriya
(Nikkei)
8) Opposition parties to continue to press in Diet for summoning
former defense chief Nukaga as a witness in the scandal case
(Nikkei)
9) Fukuda plans basic reform of the defense procurement system
following the scandal centered on the defense trader, Yamada Corp.
(Asahi)
Diet agenda:
10) LDP Secretary General Ibuki plays hardball: If opposition camp
files censure motion against Fukuda, expect a Diet dissolution
(Sankei)
11) DPJ's bill to withdraw ASDF from Iraq, passed by
opposition-controlled Upper House, is heading for a sure death in
the Lower House (Tokyo Shimbun)
12) Ruling and opposition camps agree to changes in controversial
political funds bill that would require all receipts to be disclosed
(Mainichi)
Assistant Secretary of State Hill in Tokyo:
13) Assistant Secretary Hill to press North Korea for progress in
Japan-DPRK relations (Nikkei)
14) Hill, Foreign Ministry's Sasae agree on need for North Korea to
make a full report of its nuclear programs (Sankei)
15) Hill visit an opportunity for Japan, US to reaffirm cooperation
on denuclearization of North Korea (Yomiuri)
16) Yomiuri exclusive interview with Iranian president, who insists
there is no military cooperation between Iran and North Korea
(Yomiuri)
China connection:
17) Chinese warship makes courtesy port call in Tokyo, with MSDF
ship scheduled to reciprocate and visit China next year (Nikkei)
18) Beijing's aim in sending a warship on a goodwill visit to Tokyo
is to wipe away the China threat syndrome prevalent in Japan
(Mainichi)
19) Former DPJ head Maehara criticizes party president Ozawa's
concept of basing Japan's international security contributions only
on UN resolutions (Sankei)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun, and Akahata:
Former Vice-Defense Minister Moriya, wife arrested over taking
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bribes from former defense firm executive
Nikkei:
Government to transfer 300 billion yen of corporate income tax
revenue to rural areas
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Moriya arrested: Defense Ministry riddled with corruption
(2) Diet must exercise its special investigation powers to have
Nukaga give sworn testimony
Mainichi:
(1) Former vice defense minister nabbed: Whole picture of corruption
involving Defense Ministry must be uncovered
(2) Middle East Peace process: U.S. must serve as mediator in
responsible manner
Yomiuri:
(1) Paying for golf judged tantamount to bribery
(2) New antiterrorism legislation must be discussed earnestly in
Upper House
Nikkei:
(1) How could bribe-taker become vice defense minister?
(2) Japan-Vietnam EPA talks must be accelerated
Sankei:
(1) Moriya arrested: Defense Ministry must make fresh start
(2) Middle East peace conference: Involvement of international
community essential
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Former vice-defense minister arrested: "Huge evil" must be
uncovered
(2) Many riddles remain about Kagawa murder
Akahata:
(1) Whole picture of military interests must be brought to light
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, November 28
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 29, 2007
09:00
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwaki.
10:01
Attended Upper House plenary session.
11:58
Attended convention of the National Association of Towns and
Villages.
13:21
Met at Kantei with Special Advisor Nakayama.
14:01
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Met at Defense Ministry with Defense Minister Ishiba and other
officials. Attended meeting of senior SDF officials.
14:44
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi.
15:00
Met with Rengo Chairman Takagi, joined by Labor Minister Masuzoe and
Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura.
15:56
Met with Lower House member Takeshi Noda.
16:30
Met with Internal Affairs Minister Masuda and Decentralization
Reform Promotion Committee Secretary General Miyawaki.
17:17
Attended meeting of Science and Technology Council.
18:55
Dined with deputy chief cabinet secretaries Ono and Futahashi at
Japanese restaurant Yamazato in Okura Hotel.
22:17
Returned to his private residence in Ozawa.
4) Tokyo public prosecutors arrest former Administrative Vice
Defense Minister Moriya; Moriya admits in general to taking bribes;
Defense Ministry to be searched possibly today
MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
November 29, 2007
The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public
Prosecutors Office on Nov. 28 arrested former Administrative Vice
Defense Ministry Takemasa Moriya (63) and his wife Sachiko (56) for
doing favors for Motonobu Miyazaki (69), former executive director
of Yamada Yoko, a trading house specializing in military
procurement, over procurement of defense equipment in return for
being treated to golf outings. They also rearrested Miyazaki on
suspicion of offering bribes. The suspicion of a big-name vice
minister, who was called the "emperor of the Defense Ministry,"
having been entertained by the company has developed into a bribery
case. The special investigation squad will search the Defense
Ministry as early as today with the aim of shedding light on the
full picture of collusive ties between a bureaucrat and a business
leader.
According to the investigations, Moriya is suspected of accepting,
in conspiracy with his wife Sachiko, 12 golf outings to Hokkaido and
Kyushu worth approximately 3.89 million yen during his tenure as
administrative vice defense minister from August 2003 through May
2006 in return for doing business favors for Miyazaki over the
procurement of defense equipment. Public prosecutors have judged his
wife Sachiko can be charged as an accomplice. Moriya has reportedly
admitted in general to the charges.
5) Trust in Japan's defense will be lost, says Prime Minister
Fukuda
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
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November 29, 2007
Commenting on the arrest of former Administrative Vice Defense
Minister Takemasa Moriya, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday told
reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, "I think that
something regrettable has happened. It is extremely regrettable that
Japan's defense will lose public trust because of this incident."
Regarding a possible impact of the incident on Diet deliberations on
the new antiterror special measures bill, he noted, "The incident
must not affect Diet deliberations on the bill. It may be difficult
to leave the incident aside. However, I hope to see appropriate
deliberations on the bill."
6) Ruling parties shaken be arrest of former Administrative Vice
Defense Minister Moriya, fearing possible spillover effect: Diet
deliberations on new antiterror special measures bill bound to be
affected
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
November 29, 2007
Former Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, who had
long led the nation's defense policy as an influential Defense
Ministry official, was arrested on Nov. 28, when the Upper House
started deliberating on the new antiterror special measures bill,
shaking the government and the ruling camp. On the other hand, a
number of opposition party members called for shedding light on the
scandal involving the Defense Ministry with Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama noting, "I
want the arm of the law to investigate the full picture of
defense-related interests. I want it to determine whether there was
the involvement of maneuverings by political circles." Since
opposition parties are getting a boost from the development of the
matter, Diet deliberations on the bill are bound to be affected.
The government and the ruling parties are frantic about minimizing
the impact of Moriya's arrest with Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka
Machimura saying, "The matter may be ascribable to his personal
problem." Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on the evening of the same day
told reporters, "It is extremely regrettable and lamentable if the
public loses trust in defense because of this incident. This kind of
thing must not happen." Referring to the new antiterror bill, he
stressed, "Be that as it may, I want lawmakers to properly
deliberate on the bill."
Machimura during a press conference also indicated his intention to
speed up efforts to strengthen disciplines in the Defense Ministry,
saying, "The arrest of Mr. Moriya has greatly ruined defense
administration's credibility. It is extremely regrettable."
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki noted,
"Suspicious politicians should undergo scrutiny by the arm of the
law. However, that must not prevent discussions on a resumption of
the refueling operations in the Indian Ocean." He thus took a
precaution against opposition parties launching an offensive over
the new antiterror bill." If a name of a lawmaker belonging to the
ruling camp surfaces, the ruling camp will be forced to manage the
Diet in a manner of solely defending its position, dealing a further
blow to the Fukuda cabinet.
Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who is being pursued by the DPJ
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as having attended at a wining and dining session with Moriya and
Motonobu Miyazaki, former executive Director of Yamada Yoko, a
trading house specializing in military procurement, on the evening
of the same day told reporters, "I have worked with Mr. Moriya. It
is regrettable that he was arrested. I hope the arm of the law will
shed light on factual situations."
7) Government, ruling coalition concerned that arrest of former Vice
Defense Minister Moriya may have adverse impact on deliberations on
new antiterrorism bill; Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura: "That's a
separate issue"
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 29, 2007
A series of scandals involving the Defense Agency that led to the
arrest of former top defense bureaucrat Takemasa Moriya yesterday
have shocked and shaken the government and ruling parties. With the
Dec. 15 closing of the extended Diet session approaching, the
government and ruling coalition intend to keep to a minimum the
negative impact of the arrest on deliberations on a bill to resume
the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian
Ocean.
In response to questions by the press at the Prime Minister's
Official Residence, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said last night: "It
is extremely regrettable that we have lost public confidence in
Japan's national defense. We must prevent (the arrest) from having
an adverse impact on deliberations" on the new antiterrorism bill.
The government will hold a first meeting of experts on reform of the
Defense Ministry as early as Dec. 3 to study corrective measures.
Fukuda stressed: "We must push forward with reform of the Defense
Ministry. I want the experts panel to come up with rules for
procurement of defense equipment." In a meeting of senior
Self-Defense Forces officials held at the Defense Ministry, he
ordered to tighten the ministry's ethics code.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Diet Affairs Committee Chairman
Tadamori Oshima asserted in the meeting: "Moriya has now been
brought to justice. Deliberations on the bill must be carried out."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura also emphasized: "I think
that's his personal problem. The MSDF refueling operation is a
separate issue."
Following Moriya's arrest, the opposition camp intends to seek
further cautious deliberations in the Diet. Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman
Susumu Yanase stated in a press conference on time for deliberations
in the House of Councillors:
"Since there remain collusion scandals involving former defense
chief Fumio Kyuma and Finance Minister Fukushiro Kyuma, it is
natural for the Upper House to demand more time (for deliberations)
than the Lower House."
8) Opposition camp: Testimony by Nukaga to be held "as planned"; DPJ
to propose today hearing from arrested Moriya
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 29, 2007
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In the wake of the arrest of former Vice Defense Minister Takemasa
Moriya, the opposition camp will heighten its pursuit of allegations
about the procurement of defense equipment, including General
Electric engines for the Air Self-Defense Force's next generation CX
aircraft. It intends to summon Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga to
testify as a witness before the Upper House Financial Affairs
Committee on Dec. 3 as scheduled. It will do its best to shed light
on the collusive ties between politicians, bureaucrats and business
leaders, by also seeking a hearing from Moriya.
Yukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the largest opposition
Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters yesterday: "We want
prosecutors to shed light on the issue of defense vested interests.
In particular, we want them to find out whether there was collusive
relationship between the politicians, bureaucrats and business
leaders." Japanese Communist Party Diet Affairs Committee Chairman
Keiji Kokuta said: "We want to put all our efforts into shedding
light on vested interests connected with Japan-U.S. military
relations."
9) Prime Minister Fukuda plans reform of defense procurement system
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpt)
November 29, 2007
Prime Minister Fukuda yesterday responded to the arrest of former
Administrative Vice Minister for Defense Moriya with this statement:
"It is extremely regrettable and lamentable that the public's
confidence in Japan's defense has been lost. We must go ahead with
reform of the Defense Ministry, and I want to see thorough
discussion of this in the reform council." He indicated he was
thinking of having the Council of Knowledgeable Persons on Defense
Reform, which was established in the Prime Minister's Official
Residence, study such matters as creating new rules for defense
equipment procurement.
10) Censure motion against prime minister "could trigger" a
dissolution of the Lower House
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
November 29, 2007
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) Secretary General Bunmei
Ibuki mentioned a possible timing for a dissolution of the Lower
House for a snap general election in a speech in Tokyo's Higashi
Shimbashi yesterday and indicated that the prime minister could
decide to dissolve the Lower House at a time when a censure motion
against the prime minister is submitted to the Diet in connection
with a government-sponsored new antiterrorism special measures bill,
noting, "Submitting a censure motion against the prime minister
could trigger a dissolution of the Lower House." Criticizing the
major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and other
opposition parties for their confrontational attitude toward the new
antiterrorism bill, Ibuki declared: "If the DPJ submits a censure
motion, the prime minister may think it a wise policy to seek the
judgment of the public, or he may think it would be better to get a
confidence motion adopted in the Lower House."
11) DPJ's bill to withdraw ASDF from Iraq, passed by Upper House,
will have little effect; Likelihood of being killed in the Lower
House
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TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpt)
November 29, 2007
In a plenary session yesterday, the House of Councillors began
deliberations on the government's Antiterrorism Special Measures
Bill. At the same time, the special measures bill submitted by the
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) passed the
Upper House by a majority vote of opposition parties and was sent to
the House of Representatives. The bill will not be deliberated on in
the Lower House, and it will most likely be scrapped there.
12) Ruling, opposition camps agree to disclose all receipts for
expenditures and to allow politicians to keep receipts for every
item costing less than 10,000 yen
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged)
November 29, 2007
The ruling and opposition parties held a meeting yesterday of their
officials in charge of revising the Political Fund Control Law in
the Diet building. The meeting generally reached an agreement that
political organizations having close ties with politicians and
candidates would be required to disclose all receipts for
expenditures, excluding labor costs. The ruling and opposition camps
plan to set up a third organization to create rules for filling out
a political fund report, aiming at revising the law during the
current extended Diet session. All political parties took part in
yesterday's working-level meeting, but the Japanese Communist Party
opposed the idea of forming the third panel.
Since the Political Fund Control Law, which was revised in the
latest regular Diet session, requires all political organizations to
attach to their political fund reports the copies of receipts for
every item costing 50,000 yen or more (excepting personnel
expenses), the receipts are disclosed on a request basis.
The agreement reached yesterday requires political fund-management
organizations to attach to their fund reports receipts for
expenditures of 10,000 yen or more and to keep receipts for every
item costing less than 10,000 yen. The ruling and opposition parties
will continue to discuss whether to put certain conditions on
requests to open receipts of expenditures of less than 10,000 yen.
Organizations subject to reporting reports included: 1)
fund-management and political organizations headed by Diet members
and candidates; 2) political party's election district chapters; and
political organizations supporting specific lawmakers. As the
Democratic Party of Japan has called for requiring the prefectural
governors in, the ruling and opposition camps intend to increase the
subjected organizations by revising the law every three years.
13) U.S. to work on N. Korea for better ties with Japan: Hill
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 29, 2007
Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General
Kenichiro Sasae and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill, who
represent Japan and the United States respectively in the six-party
talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, met yesterday at the
Foreign Ministry. "I'm always telling North Korea that there will be
something they can get as a result of promoting talks with Japan,"
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Hill told reporters about Japan-North Korea relations after meeting
Sasae. With this, Hill indicated that the United States would
continue to work on North Korea for progress in relations with
Japan, including the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North
Korea.
14) Japanese and American key negotiators in six-party talks
emphasize importance of DPRK's declaration of its nuclear programs
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
November 29, 2007
Japan's chief representative to the six-party talks to discuss the
North Korean nuclear issue, Kenichiro Sasae, director-general of the
Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, late yesterday
met with visiting U.S. chief representative to the six-party talks,
Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of state, at the ministry. In
the session, both negotiators, envisioning the ongoing arrangements
to set a meeting of the six-party chief negotiators at Dec. 6-8,
shared the perception that it would be important for North Korea to
declare its nuclear programs.
After the session, Sasae spoke of the question of whether the United
States would remove North Korea from the list of states sponsoring
terrorism and noted: "Based on what was fully discussed between the
top leaders of Japan and the U.S. during their recent summit, we
will confirm the results of their discussion and work in close
cooperation."
15) Japan, U.S. confirm team efforts to make DPRK nuclear-free
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
November 29, 2007
Japan's chief representative to the six-party talks on the North
Korean nuclear issue, Kenichiro Sasae, director-general of the
Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, late
yesterday met at the ministry with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Christopher Hill, the U.S. envoy to the six-party talks. Both
officials confirmed that Japan and the U.S. would work in closer
cooperation in order to move the process of denuclearizing North
Korea forward.
After the session, Hill indicated his plan to travel to North Korea
from Dec. 3 and have a final-stage discussion with North Korean Vice
Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan, North Korea's envoy to the six-party
talks.
16) "There is no military cooperation with North Korea," says
Iranian president in interview
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
November 29, 2007
Takehito Kudo, Teheran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave on Nov. 28 an interview
to some Japanese media, including Yomiuri Shimbun, at the
presidential office in Teheran. It was his first interview with the
Japanese media since taking office in August 2005.
The president brushed aside the notion that Iran has a cooperative
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relationship with North Korea in developing ballistic missiles,
saying, "Iran has not cooperated (with North Korea) militarily." He
also noted this about the bilateral relationship with North Korea,
"Iran is trying to establish friendly relations with all countries
but Israel." This expression has often been used by key Iranian
officials when asked about an outlook on the relationship with the
United States. The president's use of a similar expression in
describing Iran's traditionally friendly relationship with the North
might reflect his consideration for the international community's
concern over Teheran's close relationship with Pyongyang.
President Ahmadinejad also emphasized that Iran's nuclear program
was strictly for peaceful purposes, saying, "We have no intention of
developing nuclear weapons." At the same time, the president once
again rejected the international community's call to suspend the
uranium enrichment program, remarking, "We have been pursuing
nuclear development in a legal manner." Regarding chances for the UN
Security Council to impose third sanctions against Iran, the
president also aggressively said, "The nuclear issue is over. It
will not impose (sanctions) on our country," adding that Iran's
cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has
been highly praised by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei.
The Iranian president also harshly criticized the United States
regarding the Middle East peace conference held on Nov. 27 at
Annapolis, remarking: "It is hardly possible for a country that
sells weapons worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the
Palestinians' enemy (Israel) to successfully guide the region (to
peace). It is destined to fail."
The president also expressed hope that Japan will take independent
measures regarding Iran's nuclear issue and other matters, saying,
"We would like to have good relations with Japan in the fields of
culture and politics," in addition to the economic front.
17) Japan, China to speed up defense exchanges
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 29, 2007
Shenzhen, a Chinese missile destroyer of the Luhai class, arrived
yesterday in Japan. She is the first Chinese naval vessel to visit
Japan. Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to send a destroyer of
the Maritime Self-Defense Force to China next year. Takashi Saito,
chief of the Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Forces, is also
planning to visit China in February next year. Japan and China are
now likely to accelerate defense exchanges.
"The Shenzhen took not only the 345 sailors but also many other
things on board, such as the friendly feelings and peace wishes of
China's 1.3 billion people," Rear Adm. Xiao Xinnian, the commanding
officer, stated in a welcome ceremony at Tokyo's Harumi pier. MSDF
Chief of Staff Eiji Yoshikawa echoed the mood for friendship,
saying, "I believe your visit will lead to strengthening the
relationship of mutual trust between our two nations and promoting
the friendship and goodwill in our bilateral relations."
18) Chinese warship's Japan visit aimed at easing fears of China as
a threat
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
November 29, 2007
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Joji Uramatsu, Beijing
The Liberation Army Daily, a newspaper published for the People's
Liberation Army of China, carried a naval brass officer's commentary
in its Nov. 25 issue about the first visit to Japan of the Shenzhen,
a missile destroyer of China's navy. "The two countries (Japan and
China) understood the importance of building a relationship of
mutual trust in the defense area," Zhang Leiyu, deputy chief of
staff of China's navy says in his commentary. "And," Leiyu
continues, "the visit is an outcome of this understanding."
China started its naval visits to foreign countries in the mid-1980s
when its reform and opening-up policy began in earnest. Chinese
warships have already visited 37 countries, including European
nations, the United States, and South Korea. Their ocean voyages and
foreign visits can be taken as a milestone for a modern navy.
In 1992, however, China established a territorial water law to claim
territorial rights to the Spratly Islands and other areas (of the
East China Sea). In 1996, China conducted missile tests in waters
near Taiwan. Currently, China's defense spending continues its
double-digit year-on-year growth for the 19th straight year.
Meanwhile, its neighbors are increasingly concerned about China's
military power. For this reason, the port calls of Chinese warships
have strong implications as "diplomatic means to ease fears of China
as a threat," according to a diplomatic source. China is believed to
be making an appeal at home and abroad on its first naval visit to
Japan. In China, public opinion toward Japan is still harsh. In
order to soften it, China will need to emphasize the importance of
defense exchanges.
No need for concern about military spending growth: commander
Rear Adm. Xiao Xinnian, the Shenzhen's commanding officer, met the
press aboard at Tokyo's Harumi Pier, where the Chinese warship
docked upon arrival. In Japan, there are concerns about the rapid
growth of China's military spending. "China's military strategy is
defensive," Xinnian said. "And," he added, "there should be no
concerns about our military modernization."
With the Shenzhen's first port call in Japan as an opportunity,
Japan and China will step up their mutual defense exchanges. Joint
Staff Office Chief Takashi Saito, the top brass officer of the
Self-Defense Forces, is now arranging to visit China in February
next year. In addition, the two countries are also expected to
launch a bilateral working team in order to lay a hotline between
their defense ministers.
19) DPJ Vice President Maehara criticizes President Ozawa's "UN
resolution-centrism"
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
November 29, 2007
The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) Vice
President Seiji Maehara criticized his party's President Ichiro
Ozawa for his "United Nations resolution-centrism" in a discussion
hosted by his party's legislators and held in Tokyo yesterday.
Maehara argued: "If (the Self-Defense Forces (SDF)) are allowed to
do anything abroad as long as their activities are based on a UN
resolution, Japan can't defend its national interests and security."
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Maehara continued: "In the event of contingencies involving North
Korea or the Taiwan Strait, China, (which is a permanent UN Security
Council member), will definitely not approve any UN resolution in
this regard. Such contingencies would directly affect Japan's
national security, but should Japan adhere strictly to a UN
resolution, Japan can't do anything."
SCHIEFFER