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Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 12/06/07

Published: Thu 6 Dec 2007 01:21 AM
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/06/07
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Defense issues:
4) Government caves in on cuts in host-nation support and will
extend special agreement three years unchanged (Yomiuri)
5) Government planning how to use Futenma Air Station and other
facilities vacated by US force realignment in Okinawa (Yomiuri)
6) Government plans to unfreeze funds for North Okinawa development
package (Asahi)
7) Division chief replaced as part of Defense Ministry move to sweep
away unwanted legacy from Moriya era as vice minister (Sankei)
North Korea problem:
8) Lower House special committee passes resolution against removing
North Korea from US terror list but opposed by JCP as hindering
U.S. negotiations (Yomiuri)
9) Lower House committee resolution opposed to U.S. removing DPRK
from terror-sponsoring list could have negative impact on U.S.-Japan
alliance (Nikkei)
10) Assistant Secretary Hill in Beijing indicates still no agreement
with North Korea on the nuclear program list it promised (Yomiuri)
11) Prime Minister Fukuda establishes new foreign-policy study group
to prepare him for the G8 Summit (Asahi)
Political agenda:
12) Prime Minister Fukuda determined to use override vote in Lower
House to pass the refueling mission bill once the Upper House
rejects it (Yomiuri)
13) Democratic Party of Japan President Ozawa aims to have his party
win 180 or more seats in expected Lower House election (Sankei)
14) New conservative group in the Diet led by Shoichi Nakagawa
linked to new party concept and having a casting vote in the Lower
House (Tokyo Shimbun)
15) Former Prime Minister Abe, after long absence from public, to
visit his home district Dec. 7-10 (Sankei)
16) Two LDP factions, Koga's and Tanigaki's, to merge (Yomiuri)
17) SDP's Fukushima starts third term at party helm but questions
emerging about her sole focus on protecting the Constitution
(Yomiuri)
18) Oversight system introduced into the political funds control law
is a major step forward (Yomiuri)
19) (Corrected copy) Hokkaido Toyako Summit: Niseko Higashiyama
Prince Hotel a leading candidate to accommodate U.S. delegation;
Noboribetsu Grand Hotel also a candidate (Hokkaido Shimbun)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
OPEC to shelve pumping more crude oil
Mainichi:
If compensation money called for by patients infected with hepatitis
C via tainted blood products is reduced to a two-thirds, all
patients could receive compensation money from the state, according
TOKYO 00005465 002 OF 014
to a legal team for patients
Yomiuri:
LDP, DPJ, New Komeito agree to introduce e-voting in national
elections
Nikkei:
Government to shorten legal durable years of vehicle manufacturing
equipment to 9 years as part of the tax system reform, with aim of
enhancing international competitiveness
Sankei:
Land Ministry found to have failed to investigate 1,750,000
buildings against asbestos; Ministry of Internal Affairs to advise
Land Ministry to take action
Tokyo Shimbun:
Ministry of Internal Affairs' sample survey finds no measures
against asbestos taken in 16 PERCENT of small facilities, such as
Japanese inns
Akahata:
Finance Minister Nukaga, some Diet members found to have
participated in "military expansion conference" in U.S. with one
million yen given to each from the state as a subsidy
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Provisional road tax rate needs to be discussed from a
comprehensive viewpoint
(2) Osaka gubernatorial election: We hope to see lively debates
between candidates
Mainichi:
(1) Reform of Defense Ministry: A second "Moriya" must not be
produced
(2) Russia should not move toward dictatorship and self-righteous
nationalism
Yomiuri:
(1) Mutual trust essential between medical doctors and patients
(2) Flu season: Masks may prevent spread of flu
Nikkei:
(1) Bureaucracy at Kasumigaseki should not prevent scrapping or
privatization of independent administrative corporations
(2) Gulf nations enjoying the boom groping for economic and
political stability
Sankei:
(1) OECD academic tests: Pressing issue is how to improve reading
comprehension
(2) Not too late to have a flu vaccination now
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Revision to medical treatment fees: Review of distribution of
medical treatment fees important
(2) Iran's nuclear report should be used as a start for a peaceful
solution
Akahata:
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(1) New antiterrorism legislation must be thoroughly discussed and
killed
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, December 5
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
December 6, 2007
10:01
Met at Kantei with leader Sumie Ikeda of the war-displaced Japanese
in China group seeking state compensation, and others, in the
presence of ruling block war-displaced Japanese project team leader
Takeshi Noda, MHLW Minister Masuzoe and others.
10:28
Met Lower House member Gen Nakatani. Afterward received a telephone
call from World Bank President Zoellick in the presence of MOF
International Bureau Director General Tamaki and others.
11)01
Met New Komeito deputy representative Higashi.
12:29
Met Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy private-sector members,
such as Japan Business Federation Chairman Mitarai, joined in by
State Minister of Economic, Fiscal Policy Ota.
14:05
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi, followed by former
National Public Safety Commission member Omori.
15:30
Met Chairman Sata and Secretary General Miyazawa of the LDP Research
Commission on Housing and Land Policy, followed by designer Kansai
Yamamoto.
16:01
Met Finance Minister Nukaga, Vice Finance Minister Tsuda, and Budget
Bureau Director General Sugimoto, followed by Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura.
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17:07
Met with President Rahmon of Tajikistan, followed by Lower House
member Taku Eto.
17:56
Met former LDP Secretary General Nakagawa.
19:45
Returned to his private residence in Nozawa.
4) Government withdraws cuts in host-nation support - sympathy
budget - for U.S. forces in Japan, with final coordination with U.S.
on special measures agreement running for three years
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
December 6, 2007
The Japanese and U.S. governments yesterday entered into the final
coordination to extend for three years and keeping at about same
TOKYO 00005465 004 OF 014
burden level the special measures agreement related to host-nation
support (the so-called sympathy budget) for U.S. forces stationed in
Japan. The current agreement runs out at the end of March next year.
An agreement is expected to be reached possible as early as this
week.
The Japanese side at first called for great reductions in the burden
sharing because of the government's fiscal straits, but the U.S.
government cited its wartime expenses of Iraq and Afghanistan, and
would not budge, so the Japanese government decided to shelve the
burden reductions.
5) Gov't to promote reuse plans for vacated U.S. bases
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
Eve., December 5, 2007
The government will work out a package of backup measures to reuse
the sites of U.S. military facilities in the central and southern
parts of Okinawa Prefecture after they are returned along with the
realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. These sites are closely
situated, so the government plans to set up an organization that
will coordinate with base-hosting municipalities for their
harmonized reutilization of vacated lands. This is intended to
prevent these local areas from being crowded with a number of
commercial facilities.
In May 2006, the Japanese and U.S. governments released a final
report on the U.S. military's realignment. The report incorporates
an agreement to return the sites of U.S. military facilities
covering a total area of about 1,000 hectares, including the
Makiminato Service Area and the Naha Port Facility. However, these
sites are to be returned with the relocation of the U.S. Marine
Corps' Futenma Air Station, which is now facing rough going. The
government's land reutilization package is aimed to push ahead with
Futenma relocation.
The government will set up a review committee in June next year for
specific plans to back up Okinawa's local land reutilization. The
committee will be made up of officials from the Cabinet Office and
other government offices, officials from Okinawa Prefecture, and
experts. The government will set up an organization that will push
for the reutilization of lands to be returned. In addition, the
government will also study effective ways to buy vacated lands. In
the case of Futenma airfield, 92 PERCENT of its land is privately
owned by about 2,700 persons, according to the Okinawa prefectural
government. In the case of the Makiminato Service Area as well, 90
PERCENT of its land is privately owned, and there are about 2,100
landowners.
6) Futenma relocation plan: Government to unfreeze northern part
economic package following resumed talks with Okinawa
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
December 6, 2007
The government decided yesterday to implement the Okinawa northern
part economic package (about 10 billion yen for fiscal 2007), which
has been frozen due to the discontinuation of talks between the
central government and Okinawa on the planned relocation of the U.S.
Marines' Futenma Air Station. The reason is because the talks were
held for the first time in 10 months in November, bringing out
TOKYO 00005465 005 OF 014
prospects for continued talks.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura noted in a press
conference yesterday: "The government will not (put a hold on
implementing) the fiscal 2007 budget forever." The government will
make a final decision based on the next round of talks, slated for
Dec. 12.
The northern part economic package is a plan to inject a total of
100 billion yen into 12 affected municipalities, including the
prefecture and the city of Nago, for 10 years from fiscal 2000 in
return effectively for accepting the Futenma relocation plan. The
government at one time decided to shelve the package in the wake of
a decision in May 2006 by Tokyo and Washington on the realignment of
U.S. forces in Japan. But due to Okinawa's fierce reaction, the
government decided that December to revive the package on the
condition that smooth relocation talks were held.
But the relocation talks stalled in January this year due to
Okinawa's strong reaction to the position of the planned runways and
other factors. Okinawa's lack of willingness to make compromises
prompted the government to freeze the implementation of the budget.
The Fukuda administration, however, has shifted policy to dialogue
with Okinawa. The relocation talks resumed and the next session has
also been set for later this month. Some in the Ministry of Defense
are cautious about unfreezing the package, as there has been a
bid-rigging scandal over a public works project in the northern
part. Nevertheless, the dominant view in the government is that
making a breakthrough in the deadlocked relocation plan is top
priority. The government plans to lift the freeze on the package
under the leadership of the Prime Minister's Official Residence
(Kantei).
7) New defense policy division director picked
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
December 6, 2007
The Ministry of Defense decided yesterday to appoint Public
Information Division Director Tatsuo Yamamoto as successor to former
Defense Policy Division Director Nobuki Kawamura, who has been
removed from the post for allegedly receiving 45 million yen in
investment fund from former Administrative Vice-Defense Minister
Takemasa Moriya who is under arrest for receiving bribes. Yamamoto's
post will be filled by Policy Coordination Officer Yoshitoshi
Nakamura. The appointments will be announced under the date of Dec.
7.
8) Lower House special committee passes resolution against U.S.
removing North Korea from list of terrorism sponsoring states
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
Eve., December 5, 2007
The House of Representatives Special Committee on the Abduction
Issue yesterday afternoon passed a resolution by a majority, with
the exception being the Japanese Communist Party, opposing the move
by the United States to remove North Korea from its list of states
sponsoring terrorism.
The resolution, pointing to the move to de-list North Korea even
TOKYO 00005465 006 OF 014
though no progress has been made on the abduction issue, stated: "We
are concerned that such will disappoint many Japanese people and
have a serious impact on the Japan-U.S. alliance." It urged the
Japanese government to make maximum diplomatic efforts so that the
name is not removed, and to ask the U.S. government to firmly uphold
its policy stance of not de-listing the DPRK.
9) Lower House committee in unprecedented move adopts resolution
opposing US delisting North Korea from its list of state sponsors of
terrorism, noting, "Delisting could have a serious impact on the
Japan-US alliance"
Nikkei (Page 2) (Full)
December 6, 2007
The Lower House Abduction Issue Special Committee yesterday adopted
a resolution opposing the US government removing North Korea from
its list of state sponsors of terrorism with approval given by the
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ
or Minshuto) and the New Komeito. The resolution mentioned that
delisting North Korea from the US list of state sponsors of
terrorism, when victims of the abductions by North Korea have not
returned home, would disappoint many Japanese people, seriously
affecting the bilateral alliance. It is unprecedented for any Diet
committee to adopt a resolution on a specific foreign relations
policy of the US.
At work behind the move is a sense of crisis that the US government
could notify the Congress of its decision, a procedure needed to
remove that nation from the list, as early as within the year.
However, giving consideration to the US, the resolution will not be
sent to a plenary session, with one noting, "The will of the people
has been indicated with the adoption of the resolution by the
committee." Chair Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party, which
opposed the adoption of the resolution, released a comment noting
that no country should bind other country's means of negotiations.
10) U.S., DPRK fail to agree on "list of nuclear programs to be
declared"; U.S. Assistant Secretary Hill arrives in Beijing and
hints at failure in talks with DPRK
YOMIURI (Page 7) (Slightly abridged)
December 6, 2007
Takeo Miyazaki, Beijing
The U.S. chief negotiator in the six-party talks to discuss the
North Korean nuclear issue, Christopher Hill, U.S. assistant
secretary of state, arrived in Beijing yesterday after finishing his
SIPDIS
visit to North Korea. The focus of his North Korea visit this time
was on whether he was able to pave the way for North Korea to
prepare a draft of a list of all nuclear programs to be declared as
agreed on, but late yesterday, speaking of the contents of the
declaration to reporters in Beijing, Hill said: "There are some
differences between the United States and North Korea regarding what
should be included in the declaration." This remark implied that the
talks between the U.S. and North Korea ended in failure. It has
become difficult accordingly for the six-party talks to resume a
meeting at an early date.
Referring to the rescheduled session of the chief delegates to the
six-party talks, Hill indicated that "The session may be delayed to
TOKYO 00005465 007 OF 014
early January as the time is limited."
The joint document adopted in October by the members of the
six-party talks stipulates that as the "second-phase actions" toward
the denuclearization (of the Korean Peninsula), a "declaration of
all nuclear programs" and the "disablement of three nuclear
facilities in Yongbyon" should be implemented by the end of the
year. In order to achieve those goals, final coordination had
proceeded among the countries concerned.
Hill did not make clear in specific terms what were the differences
of views about the declaration of nuclear programs, but he revealed
that he assumed a tougher stance than before toward the North,
noting, "I insisted on including in the declaration all nuclear
programs, facilities, and materials. Even the draft of the
declaration should be complete and accurate." On the other hand,
Hill appreciated the disablement process, noting, "It is going
smoothly."
The North was initially expected to submit a draft declaration list
within November, but the submission of the draft has been delayed.
One reason for the delay would be that the U.S. imposed additional
conditions to deal with the three suspicions: the uranium enrichment
program, extraction of plutonium, and the transfer of nuclear
technology to third countries.
According to an informed source, the U.S. government initially had
had no intention of rigorously pursuing those three suspicions, but
it reversed its previous stance out of consideration for Prime
Minister Fukuda's opposition to America's delisting North Korea as a
state sponsor of terrorism shown during his visit to the U.S. in
November.
Because of those additional conditions for the North to meet in
drafting a list of the declaration, the North would think that it
has become difficult for the U.S. to remove the North from the list
of state sponsoring terrorism and lift the Trading with the Enemy
Act now imposed on the North by the end of the year. According to
Hill, in the meeting between him and North Korea's chief negotiator
in the six-party talks, Kim Gye Gwan, vice foreign minister of North
Korea, Kim did not accept America's request on the scene, and said,
"Haste makes waste" as if to gain time.
The differences over the declaration remain to be ironed out, and in
addition, it has become almost impossible to hold a six-party
meeting by the end of the year to discuss the contents of the
declaration. Given all these, it is extremely difficult to have
North Korea make a "declaration of all its nuclear programs" by the
end of the year; accordingly, the nuclear disablement process may be
delayed extensively.
11) Prime minister to set up study group on foreign policy in
preparation for summits
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
December 6, 2007
Prime Minister Fukuda yesterday announced his plan to launch a study
group on foreign policy to listen to views from knowledgeable
persons about key diplomatic issues. Its first meeting will be held
at a Tokyo hotel on Dec. 9. The panel will work out a strategy to
enable Prime Minister Fukuda to take a positive approach at the
TOKYO 00005465 008 OF 014
Japan-China summit scheduled for later this year and the Lake Toya
Summit next July. The prime minister picked many experts who place
emphasis not on values, as advocated by former Prime Minister Abe in
his "proactive foreign policy," but on pragmatism. The lineup of the
new panel reflects the basic stance of Fukuda diplomacy.
In a press conference yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura,
who will join the study group with the prime minister, emphasized
the significance of the study group, saying: "The prime minister has
a variety of knowledge as information of background. This will
contribute to his developing thoughtful summit diplomacy."
National Defense Academy Principle Makoto Iokibe, an expert on
security issues, will serve as chairman. The panel will be composed
of 11 former diplomats, academics, and former economic government
officials. The members include former Ambassador to China Sakutaro
Tanino, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies Vice
President Takashi Shiraishi, and Japan Association of Corporate
Executives Vice President Yorihiko Kojima. A government source said:
"The persons picked by the prime ministers are not thinkers; he has
placed emphasis on practical individuals, reflecting his personnel
connections."
The new panel is modeled after the taskforce on external relations
aimed at diplomacy led under the Prime Minister's Office, set up
with former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Yukio Okamoto as
chairman when Fukuda was serving as chief cabinet secretary under
the Koizumi administration. Five members of the taskforce, including
Okamoto, have joined the new study group.
Prime Minister Fukuda set forth strengthening the Japan-US alliance
during his first visit to the US as prime minister in November and
promoting Asia diplomacy when he visited Asia the same month. The
new diplomatic panel is expected to discuss how to promote these two
challenges simultaneously. The focus of discussion will also be on
such international economic issues as an economic partnership
agreement (EPA) with Asia.
The panel will hold meetings not at the Prime Minister's Official
Residence (Kantei) but at such unofficial arenas as hotels in Tokyo
as needed. It will not produce reports but intends to carry the
gists of discussion on the Kantei's website.
Shiraishi commented: "Japan's foreign policy has been drawn up under
the lead of the Foreign Ministry. The panel is expected to become
something like a sounding board to inform the prime minister of
broad views, including a long-term strategy."
Members of the study group
? Makoto Iokibe (chairman, National Defense Academy president)
? Yukio Okamoto (former special advisor to the prime minister)
? Masao Okonogi (Keio University professor)
? Shinichi Kitaoka (Tokyo University professor, former deputy
ambassador to the UN)
? Yorihiko Kojima (Japan Association of Corporate Executives Vice
President)
? Kyosuke Shinozawa (former Japan Bank for International
Cooperation governor, former administrative vice minister)
? Takashi Shiraishi (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Vice President)
? Akihiko Tanaka (Tokyo University professor)
TOKYO 00005465 009 OF 014
? Sakutaro Tanino (former ambassador to China)
? Hiroshi Nakanishi (Kyoto University professor)
? Osamu Watanabe (former Japan External Trade Organization
president, former administrative METI minister)
12) Fukuda decides to use two-thirds override vote on new
antiterrorism law
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
December 6, 2007
Prime Minister Fukuda made up his mind yesterday to revote on the
new antiterror law in the House of Representatives in order to enact
it with a concurring two-thirds vote, if the bill is voted down in
the House of Councillors. The legislation is intended to resume the
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.
Fukuda will shortly coordinate with the ruling coalition of the
Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito. The current Diet session,
which is to end on Dec. 15, will be reextended.
Fukuda has reiterated that Japan should resume the MSDF's refueling
mission in the Indian Ocean at an early date since it is highly
appreciated in the international community.
Debate on the new antiterrorism bill started full-scale in the House
of Councillors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Dec. 4. The
Diet does not have enough time until the end of its current session,
so the ruling coalition deems an extension unavoidable. "The prime
minister is determined," an LDP executive said yesterday. This LDP
executive nixed the option of scrapping the new antiterror bill. "We
will reextend the Diet session to take a vote again on the
legislation," he added.
Meanwhile, the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan
(Minshuto) is opposed to revoting on the legislation. The DPJ is
ready to censure the prime minister in the House of Councillors.
However, the ruling coalition takes the position that censure has no
legal validity. "We don't have anything to fear," one lawmaker in
the ruling coalition said.
13) Ozawa eyes over 180 single seats in next Lower House election
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
December 6, 2007
Major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto)
President Ichiro Ozawa yesterday exchanged views in the city of
Matsuyama with Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) Ehime
executives. Touching on his party's target in the next House of
Representatives election in which 300 single seats will be at stake,
he said: "In order to have a working majority, we need to win over
180 seats, definitely close to 200 seats. Having a working majority
is best, but we definitely need to win over a half of the 300
seats."
14) Former MITI Minister Hiranuma steadily laying groundwork for
next Lower House election, aiming at holding casting vote in
political situation after election
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
December 6, 2007
TOKYO 00005465 010 OF 014
Takeo Hiranuma, an independent House of Representatives member and
former MITI minister, has been actively taking preparatory steps for
the next Lower House election. He is trying to increase influence in
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), by assuming the supreme
advisory post of a study group of conservative LDP members. He is
supporting conservative independent lawmakers as candidates who will
face off against LDP candidates in the next election. He has been
steadily laying groundwork to secure the political initiative after
the Lower House election.
"I will support him with all my might," Hiranuma said yesterday at a
party held in Tokyo by Kazutaka Akamatsu, a former secretary to
former Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who plans to run in
the race as an independent from the Okayama No. 2 district.
The LDP's Okayama No.2 district chapter is headed by Seiji Hagiwara,
who won a proportional representation seat after being defeated in
the No. 2 district race in the 2005 Lower House election. Hagiwara
ran the 2005 race as "an assassin" against postal rebel Akihiko
Kumashiro, who was forced to give up on running that election.
Hiranuma, who represents the Okayama No. 3 district and who has
influence in the No. 2 district, is now determined to back Akamatsu
as an "assassin" to take out Hagiwara. Hiranuma's moves will likely
increasingly make the LDP annoyed.
Hiranuma, however, has not neglected to cooperate with the LDP, as
well. He became a supreme advisor to a study group of conservative
LDP lawmakers, which Shoichi Nakagawa, a former MITI minister,
formed on Nov. 4.
According to political fund-management organizations' fund reports
(for fiscal 2006), Hiranuma backed postal rebels who were defeated
in the 2005 Lower House election. He also supported by purchasing
party tickets those postal rebels who had returned to the LDP after
winning Lower House seats. The reason for Hiranuma's seeking
opportunities to cooperate with independents and LDP lawmakers is
that the LDP is expected to face an uphill battle in the next Lower
House race.
Should neither the ruling coalition nor the main opposition
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) win the majority (241)
of the Lower House seats, there would be a possibility that Hiranuma
and other independent lawmakers would hold a casting vote. Hiranuma
might secure the initiative by obtaining cooperation from many
people.
Even if the ruling camp wins big, the present political distortion,
in which the opposition camp controls the Upper House and the ruling
bloc holds a majority in the Lower House, will not change.
Therefore, there remains a possibility of attempting to bring about
political realignment centered on "sound conservatives." Hiranuma
has repeatedly indicated since October his determination to play a
role in political realignment.
A junior LDP lawmaker, however, said: "He lost influence in our
party when he left it." Right now, Hiranuma appears to be preparing
for the election, looking at all possibilities.
15) Former Prime Minister Abe to visit his home turf tomorrow
SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
TOKYO 00005465 011 OF 014
December 6, 2007
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit his home turf of
Yamaguchi Prefecture on Dec. 7-10 for the first time in 15 moths
since becoming prime minister in September 2006. After holding a
press conference on Dec. 7 in the city of Yamaguchi, Abe plans to
visit his home constituency of Shimonoseki and other places to
explain past developments that led to his resignation as prime
minister due to poor health and seek support for resumption of his
activities.
16) Koga, Tanigaki factions to merge by next spring: New faction to
give party in April
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
December 6, 2007
Senior members of the Koga and Tanigaki factions of the Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday evening met at a Japanese
restaurant in Tokyo. Participants agreed that the two factions merge
by next spring. They want to see the new party hold a fund-raising
party in April. Leaders of the two factions are expected to formally
decide on the merger plan early next year.
The talks yesterday was joined by Makoto Koga, LDP Election
Committee chairman, Seiichi Ota, director general of the former
Management and Coordination Agency, and Lower House member Koji Nita
from the Koga faction and Jiro Kawasaki, former Health, Labor and
Welfare minister and others from the Tanigaki faction. No objection
was reportedly raised against the idea of the new faction holding a
fund-raising party.
One senior Koga faction member yesterday evening noted, "Some senior
members were against the proposal for merger, but now they are
indicating a stance of approving it. The two factions will likely
merge by February or March." A senior member of the Tanigaki faction
also said, "We will merge early next year at the earliest."
The membership of the merged faction will be 61, nearly equal to
that of the second largest Tsushima faction (67).
17) Fukushima in third term as SDP head eager to regain party
strength, but concern voiced about her sole emphasis on protection
of Constitution
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
December 6, 2007
Mizuho Fukushima will launch her third term as head of the Social
Democratic Party of Japan (SDP) President on Dec. 22. The party
holds seven seats in the House of Representatives and five in the
House of Councillors. The party aims to restore its strength in the
next general election. Although Fukushima has emphasized the
importance of protecting the Constitution in her long advocacy,
debate on a revision of the Constitution has kept a low-profile
after the Abe administration toppled. Some party members are aiming
to change the SDP into a party that can respond to calls from
households and local communities.
In a press conference yesterday, Fukushima said: "If the SDP is able
to increase its seats, the Democratic Party of Japan will likely
give consideration to its views. A victory of our party will lead to
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protecting the Constitution." The national referendum law will go
into effect three years later. On this issue, Fukushima said: "The
Liberal Democratic Party might take action during the last one
year," emphasizing the significance of making the debate over
protecting the Constitution the central issue in the next general
election campaign.
Former Policy Council Chairman Kiyomi Tsujimoto also said: "There is
no need for the party to abandon the asset inherited from the former
Japan Socialist Party called 'the party of protection of the
Constitution'. The presence of such a party is becoming more
important now."
But a senior SDP member said: "If we continue to focus only on
protecting the Constitution, it may be difficult to expand the
party's strength." Fukushima was elected as party head without a
vote. Policy Council Chairperson Tomoko Abe, who did not recommend
Fukushima, stated: "The SDP should become a party that ushers in new
values, coming up environment-friendly agricultural policies or
policymaking in cooperation with nonprofit organizations." Election
Committee Chairman Sadao Fuchigami, a veteran lawmaker, also
commented: "There is a showcase called 'the Social Democratic
Party,' but there are no goods to sell. It is necessary for the
party to come up with specific policy proposals on education and
livelihood."
Fukushima, aware of the need for such policy proposals, said:
"Although there are still core fans for the policy of protecting
Constitution, we would like to also pour our energy into such areas
as medical care, employment and regional discrepancies. The party
intends to prepare measures to secure obstetricians and
gynecologists." But the SDP has yet to prepare a trump card.
18) Surveillance system to undergo sea change: Amendment to
Political Funds Control Law to be passed into law next week
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
December 6, 2007
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ or Minshuto), the New Komeito, the Social Democratic Party and
the People's New Party at a meeting of their Diet Affairs Committee
chairmen yesterday agreed to submit to the Diet a bill amending the
Political Funds Control Law featuring disclosure of receipts for
payments exceeding a single yen and to have the bill enacted next
week. Following a flurry of scandals involving lawmakers' political
organizations, both the ruling and opposition camps had decided to
secure transparency in politics and the flows of money with a new
system.
The revised bill will likely be introduced at the Lower House
Special Committee on Political Ethics Establishment and Amendment to
the Public Offices Election Law in the form of a proposal by the
chairman, adopted in both chambers of the Diet and passed into law.
The new system will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2008. It will be first
applied to political funds report for 2008 to be submitted by the
end of March, 2009.
The Japanese Communist Party during the Diet Affairs Committee
chairmen's meeting opposed the proposal for establishing a political
funds rationalization committee, a third-party organ to be set up to
audit political funds reports, citing a concern that such a
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committee could interfere with political activities.
The envisaged system will be applied to among about 70,000 political
organizations throughout the nation approximately 5,000
organizations related to lawmakers and potential candidates for
national elections.
19) Hokkaido Toyako Summit: Niseko Higashiyama Prince Hotel a
leading candidate to accommodate U.S. delegation; Noboribetsu Grand
Hotel also a candidate
HOKKAIDO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
December 5, 2007
The Niseko Higashiyama Prince Hotel (200 rooms in main building, 500
rooms in new annex) in the town of Niseko in Shiribeshi has surfaced
as a likely candidate to accommodate the United States delegation
comprising some 800 personnel, the largest scale among the
participating countries, during the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit on
(July 7-9) next year, sources concerned said by yesterday. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has also indicated that the hotel
is one of the candidates. The United States, however, is also
checking the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel (261 rooms) in the Noboribetsu
hot-spring resort area as a candidate. MOFA plans to make final
coordination with the U.S. government and the hotel.
According to accounts by the sources concerned, after a decision was
made in April on the Toyako Summit, the Japanese government sounded
out the U.S. side on using a major hot-spring hotel in the town of
Toyako in Iburi, home to The Windsor Hotel Toya, the main summit
venue.
In response, the U.S. side expressed concern that in the case of the
Toyako hot-spring area hotel, they might have to use it jointly with
other participating countries. The U.S. independently examined
hotels, and as a result, the two hotels have suddenly surfaced.
The Higashiyama Price Hotel has 700 rooms. If nearby hotels are
included, it may be able to meet the U.S. "one-person-one-room"
principle putting high priority on privacy. The probability of
turning parking lots and golf courses into heliports seems to have
received high recognition as well.
The distance between the hotel and the main summit venue is
approximately 46 kilometers via roads and National Highway 230.
Visiting there frequently, U.S. government officials have been
checking the hotel based on a plan to reserve all of its rooms.
The Seibu Group opened the Niseko Higashiyama Prince Hotel along
with the sky resort in 1982. But the group decided to sell it due to
its financial crisis. The hotel was purchased by Citigroup, a major
U.S. banking institution, in March this year. It later concluded a
management contract with the global hotel chain Hilton Hotels Corp.
The hotel is scheduled to operate under the new name of Hilton
Niseko Village in July 2007. If the U.S. delegation is to stay
there, the U.S. government would indirectly support the American
hotel immediately after its opening.
The Noboribetsu Grand, on the other hand, is a hotel that can offer
Western style services, which is rare in hot-spring resort areas,
with nearly 90 Western style rooms, which is far less than that of
TOKYO 00005465 014 OF 014
the Higashiyama Prince Hotel, however. The hotel is scheduled to
complete its grand renovation by the consecutive holidays in May
2007, its 70th anniversary. The hotel is about 69 kilometers away
from the main summit venue via the Hokkaido Expressway.
The hotel is earnestly selling itself by playing up such historical
events as that the late Emperor Showa (Hirohito) stayed there twice
and that it was requisitioned by the Allied Forces General
Headquarters (GHQ) after WWII. U.S. government officials also seem
to be checking the communications environment, security, and other
factors.
Reportedly, the two hotels are being challenged to improve their
communications environments and their funding.
There is information that Britain has already secured a hotel on
Lake Toya for the summit.
SCHIEFFER
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