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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001065
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 04/18/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Court ruling on ASDF Iraq mission:
4) High court: ASDF mission in Iraq unconstitutional (Asahi) 4
5) ASDF Iraq mission "unconstitutional in part" (Yomiuri)
6) Gov't account overruled (Asahi)
7) No problem: Prime Minister Fukuda (Tokyo Shimbun)
8) Japan to continue ASDF deployment (Yomiuri)
9) Gov't, LDP denies repercussions on ASDF airlifts (Nikkei)
10) Opposition parties again call for pullout (Nikkei)
Japan-China ties:
11) Foreign Minister Koumura in meeting with Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi suggests need for China to hold talks with the
14th Dalai Lama (Nikkei)
12) Foreign Minister Koumura urges China to hold dialogue with Dalai
Lama (Tokyo Shimbun)
13) Chinese President Hu Jintao's Japan visit set for May 6-10
(Nikkei)
14) Ex-LDP policy chief Nakagawa, other LDP lawmakers blame China
over Tibet issue (Yomiuri)
15) DPJ's Ozawa raps China over Tibet (Asahi)
16) 'No, thank you' to Chinese security guards in blue tracksuits:
Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura (Asahi)
Defense & security issues:
17) Foreign Minister Koumura in Diet panel says MP officer's action
as questionable (Yomiuri)
Climate change & economic topics:
18) Prime Minister Fukuda welcomes President Bush's CO2 emission
target plan (Nikkei)
19) G-8 business leaders in Tokyo work out post-Kyoto statement
(Asahi)
20) METI releases 'critical technology' list (Nikkei)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi, Tokyo Shimbun & Akahata:
Nagoya High Court: ASDF mission to Iraq runs counter to Article 9 of
the Constitution
Mainichi & Sankei:
ASDF's airlift ruled unconstitutional
Yomiuri:
Companies employed more than 2 million people aged 65 or over last
year, up 30 PERCENT in four years
Nikkei:
ASDF's Iraq operations "partially unconstitutional"
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) SDF dispatch to Iraq ruled unconstitutional
TOKYO 00001065 002 OF 009
(2) U.S. President Bush does not understand world trend on global
warming
Mainichi:
(1) Ambiguous explanation on ASDF activities in Iraq unallowable
(2) "Zero reply" on decentralization reform unforgivable
Yomiuri:
(1) ASDF airlift in Iraq not use of force
(2) Need for sufficient vaccine for new flu
Nikkei:
(1) Debate on collective defense needed now
(2) Protect children from Internet crimes
Sankei:
(1) ASDF mission in Iraq ruled unconstitutional: Does high court
reject peace cooperation?
(2) Policy consultative organ: Consensus in ruling parties is top
priority
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) ASDF airlift in Iraq unconstitutional; SDF overseas deployments
to be affected
(2) Use all possible measures to deal with new flu
Akahata:
(1) Hansen's disease basic law: Final battle for former patients
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, April 17
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 18, 2008
10:04
G-8 business summit at Japan Business Federation in Otemachi.
10:31
Arrived at the official residence.
10:45
Met with Special Advisor Ito at the Kantei.
11:19
Met with LDP Reform Headquarters head Takebe, followed by Asahi
Shimbun columnist Wakamiya.
12:39
Imperial garden party at the Akasaka Palace.
15:04
Arrived at the official residence.
15:53
Met with Deputy Vice METI Minister Toyoda and Trade Policy Bureau
Director General Ishige.
16:04
Met with former Upper House member Keizo Takemi and Tadashi
Yamamoto, director of the Japan International Exchange Center. Then
TOKYO 00001065 003 OF 009
met with Secretaries General Ibuki and Kitagawa. Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura was present. Then met with Finance Minister
SIPDIS
Nukaga and Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka.
17:57
Education Revitalization round-table.
19:16
Received a joint statement of the G-8 Business Summit from Japan
Business Federation Chairman Mitarai at the official residence. Then
hosted dinner party.
4) Nagoya High Court rules ASDF mission in Iraq unconstitutional
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts)
April 18, 2008
In a ruling yesterday on a lawsuit seeking to end the dispatch of
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq, the Nagoya High Court
under Presiding Judge Kunio Aoyama said that the Air Self-Defense
Force's (ASDF) airlift of multinational troops to Iraq's capital of
Baghdad violates Article 9-1 of the Constitution. But the verdict
did not side with the plaintiffs.
This is the first case among similar lawsuits filed across the
country in which the court ruled (the dispatch of the ASDF to Iraq)
unconstitutional. The plaintiffs have taken the ruling as being in
their favor in essence and declared they will not appeal. The
government won the case in actuality, and that is why it cannot
appeal the case to a higher court. Accordingly, the high court's
ruling is expected to be a final ruling.
The verdict looked at the current situation in Iraq and said, "The
combat in Iraq is in effect an extension of the attack on Iraq that
began in March 2003. It is an international conflict between a
multinational force and armed elements." The ruling recognized
Baghdad as a "combat zone" as defined under the Iraq Special
Measures Law because it is a "region where acts are being committed
to kill and maim people and destroy property as part of an
international armed conflict."
The verdict also said, "In modern warfare, supply activities,
including transport, are an important part of combat activities."
Referring to the ASDF's activities, the ruling said, "The ASDF's
airlifting of armed soldiers in the multinational force to the
Baghdad combat zone were acts that could be identified as being
involved in the use of force by other nations, and the ASDF could be
viewed as having used force." The ruling concluded: "Part of the
ASDF duties had violated provisions of the Iraq Special Measures Law
banning the use of force and Article 9 of the Constitution."
5) ASDF operations in Iraq "partially unconstitutional," Nagoya High
Court rules
YOMIURI (Top Play)
April 18, 2008
Members of citizens' group opposing the dispatch of the Self-Defense
Force to Iraq had filed a lawsuit against the state seeking
confirmation of the unconstitutionality of the deployment of
Self-Defense Forces (SDF). The Nagoya High Court yesterday handed
down a ruling in this appeal trial with Presiding Judge Kunio Aoyama
TOKYO 00001065 004 OF 009
noting that the Air Self-Defense Force's (ASDF) mission is
unconstitutional. He said that airlifting armed troops from
multinational forces to Baghdad, a war zone, is an act integral to
the use of force by other countries and that such an act runs
counter to the special law to allow the SDF to provide humanitarian
support for Iraq's reconstruction efforts and Article 9 of the
Constitution. The Court, however, rejected the plaintiff's call for
to rule the entire deployment unconstitutional and demand a
suspension of the dispatch of SDF personnel as unlawful.
6) Court ruling overturns government's previous grounds
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
April 18, 2008
Analysis
The Nagoya High Court's ruling on a demand for an injunction against
the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) dispatch to Iraq did not side with the
plaintiffs, but it rejected the government's previous grounds.
The government has so far explained that the SDF are operating in a
noncombat zone and are not involved in activities using force, but
the court's ruling identified the (Air Self-Defense Force's)
airlifts to Baghdad, which is still in turmoil, as "acts that have
been involved in other countries' activities using force." This was
the first time for a court to rule that the ASDF airlift violates
Article 9-1 of the Constitution banning the use of force.
The basis for that ruling is that ASDF transport planes have
airlifted soldiers in the multinational force. The verdict also
said, "Supply activities are an important part of combat
activities." It is only natural to say that in terms of the aspects
of the war, but the government has until now reiterated the concept
of a noncombat zone.
7) Fukuda says in response to Nagoya High Court's ruling that ASDF
Iraq mission is unconstitutional: "ASDF activities are not
problematic"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
April 18, 2008
The Nagoya High Court ruled yesterday that the Air Self-Defense
Force's mission in Iraq is unconstitutional. But the government
intends to have the ASDF continue its mission.
The court, though, dismissed the plaintiffs' lawsuit demanding a
suspension of the SDF dispatch to Iraq. Given this, Prime Minister
Yasuo Fukuda said: "(The ruling) concludes that the state's judgment
is valid." He then emphasized that the ruling will not affect the
ongoing ASDF mission, remarking: "There is no problem. We will not
change our policy."
8) Government to continue SDF dispatch
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
April 18, 2008
Commenting on the Nagoya High Court's decision, Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura on April 17 said, "Baghdad Airport is a
SIPDIS
noncombat zone. We cannot accept such a ruling. It will have no
TOKYO 00001065 005 OF 009
influence on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces." He then
announced the government's policy of continuing the dispatch,
saying, "Airlifting activities will be continued." Prime Minister
Fukuda also told reporters, "There is no problem with the Air
Self-Defense Force's activities."
9) Government, ruling bloc do not expect court ruling to affect ASDF
airlift; Prime minister rules out reviewing mission, saying, "There
are no problems"
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 18, 2008
In response to the Nagoya High Court's ruling that part of the Air
Self-Defense Force's airlift mission in Iraq is unconstitutional,
the government contends that activities have been carried out in
non-combat zones and are not integrated with military actions. The
government believes the decision will have no negative impact on the
ASDF's activities.
The ASDF's airlift mission started in March 2004. Based in Kuwait,
an ASDF C-130 cargo plane has been airlifting personnel from the UN
and multinational forces and medical supplies to Baghdad and Arbil
up in the north. According to the basic plan adopted by the cabinet,
the areas of ASDF activities are specified as non-combat zones, such
as an airport in Baghdad.
Before the press at his office last night, Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda rejected a review of the airlift mission, saying: "There are
no problems. We have no intention of altering it." Chief Cabinet
Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, too, said in a press briefing: "The
SIPDIS
high court's decision is unacceptable, because we still believe
areas of activities meet the necessary requirement of non-combat
zones."
LDP Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki told the press, "The ruling won't
immediately affect the operation." New Komeito Representative
Akihiro Ota described the decision as somewhat abrupt.
At the same time, the decision might cast a pall on the ongoing
discussion on a permanent law (general law) allowing the government
to send the SDF on overseas missions as necessary. The duration of
the ASDF mission is until July 2009. The court's decision might
affect the government's response in the event a need for an
extension arises.
A government source said yesterday, "Once the decision becomes
final, we will consider releasing a statement," adding that given
the ruling in favor of the state, it would be difficult for the
plaintiffs to appeal.
He expressed the perception that in order to avoid adverse effects
on the discussion on the overseas dispatch of the SDF, the
government will have to consider some kind of response.
10) Opposition parties again call for SDF withdrawal from Iraq,
envision resubmission of bill aimed at scrapping Iraq special
legislation
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 18, 2008
TOKYO 00001065 006 OF 009
Following the Nagoya High Court's ruling, the opposition parties
have began calling for an immediate withdrawal of the Self-Defense
Forces (SDF) troops from Iraq. The major opposition Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ) has begun considering resubmitting to the Upper House
during the current session of the Diet a bill aimed at scrapping the
Iraq Special Measures Law, although a similar bill was killed in the
last extraordinary Diet session.
At a news conference yesterday, DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan
criticized former Prime Minister Junichio Koizumi for his Diet
replies, in which he said, "The area where the SDF are conducting
their activities is a noncombat zone." Koizumi served as prime
minister when the SDF were first dispatched to Iraq. Kan added: "The
court's verdict could be taken as rejecting his misleading
accounts."
The Japanese Communist Party's Diet Affairs Committee Chairperson
Keiji Kokuta noted, "We'd like to again call on the government to
pull out (the Air-Self Defense Force's) troops (from Iraq)." The
Social Democratic Party's President Mizuho Fukushima told a Nikkei
reporter: "The government must take the verdict seriously and must
withdraw the SDF. It's an encouraging thing, for we are trying to
prevent the move to submit a permanent law on dispatch of the SDF to
the Diet."
11) Tibet: Koumura during foreign ministerial urges China to hold
direct dialogue; "It is a domestic issue," replies Yang
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged)
April 18, 2008
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura yesterday met with visiting
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Foreign Ministry's
Iikura State Guest House in Tokyo. Koumura sought further disclosure
of information on the riots that have occurred in the Tibetan
Autonomous Region. He also urged him to hold a direct dialogue with
the 14th Dalai Lama. Yang replied, "The obstacle to a meeting is not
China but the Dalai Lama." He continued, "The Tibet issue is China's
internal affair. Foreign countries should not interfere."
Regarding the Tibet issue, Koumura suggested, "It is important to
hold a meeting, securing transparency. Why not hold talks without
attaching any conditions?"
Yang fiercely criticized the 14th Dalai Lama, characterizing him as
the leader of the riots. He said, "The Dalai Lama's group has caused
the riots, by organizing and maneuvering them." He at the same time
said, "The door to talks is open. If he abandons his stance of
seeking the independence of Tibet and stops using violence and
obstructing the Beijing Olympic Games, then we want to hold talks
with the Dalai Lama at any time."
Concerning the tainted Chinese-made gyoza dumplings, they agreed to
deepen cooperation between investigators of both countries to shed
light on what happened. However, regarding the East China Sea gas
field issue, they simply confirmed both countries' stance of
continuing efforts for an early settlement.
12) Japan-China foreign ministerial: Koumura calls for dialogue with
Dalai Lama; Yang calls it internal matter
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
TOKYO 00001065 007 OF 009
April 18, 2008
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura held yesterday a meeting with
visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Foreign
Ministry's Iikura Guesthouse. Koumura urged China to engage in a
dialogue with the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan
Buddhism, saying: "Revealing the circumstances while securing full
transparency will be in China's interest. China should consider a
dialogue without attaching any conditions."
In response, Yang rebutted: "It is an internal matter. Other
countries should not intervene." He also criticized the Dalai Lama,
saying: "He has incited violence in collusion with pro-independence
forces at home and abroad."
Yang added: "We will respond to a call for contact and dialogue if
he abandons the drive for independence, stops violence, and suspends
activities to destroy the Beijing Olympics."
13) Chinese President Hu to visit Japan May 6-10
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 18, 2008
The foreign ministers of Japan and China confirmed yesterday that
Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Japan May 6-10. Foreign
Minister Masahiko Koumura stated in a press conference the same day:
"We should make the upcoming presidential visit a success by all
means. I would like to dramatically promote strategic reciprocal
relations."
14) Conservative LDP lawmakers adopt resolution criticizing China
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
April 18, 2008
A group of Liberal Democratic Party conservative members, led by
Shoichi Nakagawa, a former LDP policy chief, yesterday adopted a
resolution criticizing the Chinese government's handling of the
Tibet issue, calling on Beijing to immediately halt its suppression
of human rights.
15) DPJ head Ozawa criticizes China's handling of Tibet
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
April 18, 2008
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the
largest opposition force, commented on the issue of Tibet in a
speech yesterday:
"Set off by ethnic issues, the contradictions China holds have now
come into the open. The existence of a communist autocratic
government and political freedom do not go together."
Ozawa also added: "In order for a communist regime to survive in
changing times, the regime itself has to change."
16) Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura: Japan will not use Chinese
guards' help for torch relay in Nagano; 3,000 police to be
mobilized
TOKYO 00001065 008 OF 009
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
April 18, 2008
The National Police Agency (NPA) decided yesterday to guard the
Beijing Olympics torch relay to be held on April 26 in Nagano using
about 3,000 police officers. The NPA plans to have several dozen
police officers run along with the runners. Chief Cabinet Secretary
Nobutaka Machimura declared that Japan would not use help from
Chinese guards.
The Nagano prefectural police had initially planned to have about
500 police control traffic and prevent confusion without getting
help from neighboring prefectural police. However, Nagano police
drastically reviewed their plan, learning from the disturbances in
other countries over the Tibet issue. At present, Nagano police will
mobilize about 1,500 officers, nearly half the force. Nagano has now
decided to get the support of more than 200 riot police from the
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, as well as neighboring
prefectural police.
17) Koumura: "There might be problems under SOFA"
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
April 18, 2008
U.S. Marine police officers tool into custody two sons of U.S.
Marines who shoplifted at a clothing store in Chatan, Okinawa
Prefecture, on April 13. The U.S. side did not comply with the
Okinawa prefectural police's request for the handover of their
custody. Touching on this matter, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura
said before the House of Councillors Foreign Affairs and Defense
Committee yesterday, "There might be problems depending on the facts
under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement." Thus, Koumura
indicated that the government has sought an explanation from the
U.S.
18) Fukuda welcomes Bush's proposal to fight global warming,
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full)
April 18, 2008
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda last night praised the United States'
new target for fighting global warming, saying: "I hear that the
target covers a wide range of areas. I welcome it." On the question
of whether Japan will present a mid-term target prior to the G-8
Summit (Lake Toya Summit) in July, Fukuda said: "Japan has its own
stance as the host nation. Also keeping in mind the need to form a
framework that involves major greenhouse gas emitters, we will make
a decision."
In the Japanese government, however, some are critical of the U.S.
target as lacking specific measures. Japan has set the goal of
bringing the growth of emissions across the world to the minus
column in 10 to 20 years. But "it will be difficult to attain
(Japan's proposal) if emissions are reduced at the pace suggested by
the U.S.," said a senior officer of a relevant government ministry.
Even so, the European Union (EU) has set forth a positive reduction
goal, and Japan's stance is closer to that of the U.S. Japan needs
to cooperate with the U.S. in taking the initiative in forming a
post-Kyoto framework. Given this, Japan has refrained from outwardly
criticizing the U.S. approach to global warming.
TOKYO 00001065 009 OF 009
19) G-8 business leaders come up with joint statement on post-Kyoto
scheme
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
April 18, 2008
The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) held a meeting of
business leaders from the Group of Eight countries in Tokyo
yesterday. In a joint statement released after the meeting, the G-8
business chiefs called on their governments to ensure that all major
greenhouse gas emitters join a post-Kyoto framework and that
progress be made in sector-specific approaches.
Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Nippon Keidanren, handed the joint
statement to Prime Minister Fukuda after the meeting, asking him to
reach an agreement at the Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido in July.
This was the second G-8 business summit. The joint statement
included as measures to curb global warming "promoting the
development and spread of low-carbon technologies" and "ensuring
that measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions be fair for all
major emitters," reflecting the views of the Japanese government and
Keidanren.
But the joint statement stopped short of referring to a
cap-and-trade system, to which business circles are reacting
fiercely. On ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the statement
just called for flexibility and diversity to be ensured so that
suitable measures will be worked out for each country.
20) METI releases list of key technologies for new products,
services
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full)
April 18, 2008
The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) released a
technology strategy map 2008 yesterday. The report includes motives
for developing key technologies in major industries and research
goals. Predicting the time when new products or services will make
it to the market, the report lists technologies indispensable for
creating them. The report also explains the current state of
applications for patents and market share. The report will be used
when the government draws up a technology strategy. It also includes
information useful for companies to chart business strategies. METI
will post the list on its website today.
SCHIEFFER