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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/27/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
4) Ambassador Schieffer golfs with Koizumi, Aso and other LDP
bigwigs (Mainichi)
5) New testimony from one of returned abductees affirms that Megumi
Yokota was alive at the time North Korea said she had died from
suicide (Nikkei)
6) TICAD4: Prime Minister Fukuda to announce $4 billion in yen loans
to Africa (Nikkei)
7) Government to add another $50 million in emergency food aid
(Yomiuri)
8) Japan to send reconstruction survey team to Burma (Nikkei)
9) Symposium on Asia's future with U.S., Japanese, Chinese and South
Korean participants recommends new multilateralism mechanism to meet
crises (Nikkei)
10) Foreign minister lays out in speech scheme for investment in
Mekong River area (Nikkei)
G-8 Environment ministers meeting:
11) G-8 meeting on environment closes without reaching agreement on
medium-term target (Nikkei)
12) Ministers at G-8 environment meeting find road to setting
post-Kyoto greenhouse-gas reduction goal not so easy (Tokyo
Shimbun)
Defense and security affairs:
13) Democratic Party of Japan Security General Hatoyama against
extending the Indian Ocean refueling law (Tokyo Shimbun)
14) Ruling parties may let Iraq reconstruction assistance law and
the ASDF dispatch allowed by it expire (Tokyo Shimbun)
15) Fire on U.S.S. George Washington may delay the arrival of the
carrier in Yokosuka (Tokyo Shimbun)
16) Defense Minister Ishiba's proposal for ministry reform upstaged
by counterproposal from National Defense Academy head Iokibe
(Yomiuri)
17) Proposal for a standing SDF overseas dispatch law drafted by
DPJ's Maehara does not mesh with party head Ozawa's stance on such
international service (Yomiuri)
Political agenda:
18) Nikkei poll gives Fukuda Cabinet a 3-point increase in support
to 24 PERCENT (Nikkei)
19) Government to put off in this Diet session submission of name to
fill vacant BOJ deputy governor's post (Tokyo Shimbun)
20) DPJ moving in direction of filing a censure motion against the
prime minister or not (Tokyo Shimbun)
21) Government and ruling parties decide to convene extraordinary
Diet session in mid-August (Tokyo Shimbun)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
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Asahi:
Government panel eyes easing rules on use of copyrighted works to
cope with Internet age
Mainichi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun
Ex-gangster sentenced to death for fatally shooting Nagasaki mayor
last year
Nikkei:
Japan firms making inroads into Africa to tap economic growth:
Nissan to produce automobiles; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to invest
in nuclear power generation-related company
Sankei:
Comprehensive diplomatic and security policy preparatory committee
that will directly report to prime minister to be established
Akahata:
New medical services system for very old people: Insurance premiums
survey a means of covering up increased burden
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Ex-gangster sentenced to death for fatally shooting Nagasaki
mayor: Anger at terrorism renewed
(2) G-8 environment ministers' meeting: We want to see moves for
concessions
Mainichi:
(1) G-8 environment ministers' meeting: Japan should be prepared to
set mid-term goal of cutting emissions
(2) Revitalization of education: Show reform ideals and approach in
clearer manner
Yomiuri:
(1) G-8 environment ministers' meeting: The goal has been set
(2) Fatal shooting of Nagasaki mayor: Death sentence handed down to
election- terrorist
Nikkei:
(1) G-8 environment ministers' meeting: Limits to what can be done
without goal
(2) Meaning of death sentence to ex-gangster who murdered Nagasaki
mayor
Sankei:
(1) Ex-gangster sentenced to death for fatally shooting Nagasaki
mayor: Death sentence appropriate for election terrorism
(2) Learning English from third grade: Clarify meaning of teaching
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) G-8 environment ministers' meeting: What approach should Japan
take?
(2) Africa aid: Pursue global interests
Akahata:
(1) Secret deal on jurisdiction: Act not appropriate for independent
country
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
TOKYO 00001438 003 OF 013
Prime Minister's schedule, May 26
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
May 27, 2008
07:58
Attended a meeting on global warming at the Kantei.
09:33
Attended a ministerial meeting on the pension problem.
10:24
Visited the Burmese Embassy to sign a condolence book. Met Burmese
Ambassador Hla Myint.
11:06
Arrived at the Kantei.
11:39
Arrived at his official residence.
12:25
Offered flowers at the graves of the war dead at Chidorigafuchi,
Sanban-cho.
12:49
Arrived at the Kantei.
15:05
Met Dutch Prince Alexander, chairman of the UN advisory council on
water and sanitation, and others at the Kantei. Later met Noda,
chairperson of the LDP taskforce on global warming countermeasures,
and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki.
16:30
Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura.
17:00
Attended a party executive meeting in the Diet Building, with Deputy
Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono present.
17:40
Attended a meeting of the Education Rebuilding Council at the
Kantei.
18:02
Met Upper House Chairman Otsuji. Followed by Cabinet Intelligence
Director Mitani.
18:57
Returned to his official residence.
4) Koizumi praises Aso's golf score as a number signifying
increasing prosperity
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
May 25, 2008
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi played golf on May 24 in
Yamanashi Prefecture with Taro Aso and Hidenao Nakagawa, both former
secretaries general of the Liberal Democratic Party, U.S. Ambassador
TOKYO 00001438 004 OF 013
to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer, and others. The former prime minister
flattered Aso, a potential successor to Prime Minister Fukuda,
saying, "Mr. Aso's score was 88, a lucky number implying increasing
prosperity." Aso came in third in the round. In the past, Koizumi
and Aso locked horns over the question of reinstating former
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma, who bolted the
LDP over postal privatization.
Lawmakers who took part in the event will call on such members as
former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and former Secretary General
Kaoru Yosano to join a similar event. Koizumi reportedly commented
about the timetable for Lower House dissolution: "It should be as
close as possible to (September next year) when the term of (the
Lower House members) expires."
5) Megumi Yokota "was alive even after June 1994," Chimura said,
reversing North Korean side's previous account that "Megumi killed
herself"
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full)
May 27, 2008
It was learned that former abductee Fukie Chimura (52), who now
lives in Japan after returning home from North Korea, had told
Japanese authorities that abductee Megumi Yokota (who had been
kidnapped by North Korea when she had been 13) had moved in June
1994 next door to us." This testimony is contradictory to and
reverse the previous account by North Korea that (Megumi) died in
April 1994. It could have no small impact on the abduction issue.
Fukie made the above testimony to Japanese authorities late last
year. According to it, Megumi moved alone in June 1994 to the next
door to the guest house where Fukie and her husband Yasushi (52)
lived together. Megumi lived there for several months there, but
afterwards, her whereabouts became unknown.
According to Fukie's testimony, at the time Megumi was seriously
depressed and she appeared in a mentally unstable state. A senior
official of North Korea's External Intelligence Bureau (currently
No. 35 Office) was taking care of her.
In the past, another former abductee Kaoru Hasuike (50) previously
stated about Megumi that (1) she lived apart from her husband for
both were at odds with each other one year (around Spring 1993)
before North Korea told Megumi died; and (2) in March 1994, Hasuike
helped Megumi to enter a psychiatric hospital. Except for cases of
abductions of Japanese nationals by the former JAL Yodo-go jetliner
hijackers in Europe, it was already learned that the North Korea's
External Intelligence Bureau had abducted Japanese nationals.
As for Megumi's whereabouts, North Korea explained during the 2002
Japan-North Korea summit, where the North Korean side admitted to
the abductions of Japanese nationals for the first time, that she
had killed herself in March 1993. But after Hasuike made it clear in
2004 that he had been watching out for Megumi until 1994, the North
Korean side explained, "Our official in charge had a hazy
recollection, and corrected its earlier account and explained, "She
committed suicide n April 1994."
Megumi's former husband, a South Korean abductee, whose whereabouts
became known in 2006, also revealed at a news conference in North
Korea: "Megumi suffered from depression and killed herself in April
TOKYO 00001438 005 OF 013
1994 at a hospital where she had been admitted."
6) Fukuda to announce in TICAD a plan to extend 4 billion dollars in
yen loans to Africa over next five years
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
May 25, 2008
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will announce in the Tokyo International
Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama from May 28 a
plan to extend up to 4 billion dollars in yen loans to Africa in the
next five years. Japan has so far given African countries mainly
grant aid. But based on the judgment that their ability to repay has
improved owning to soaring prices of natural resources and other
reasons, the government now believe that there is a growing need for
even loans in order to promote infrastructure building.
The government has so far extended yen loans worth about only 200
million dollars to Africa annually. In the Group of Eight Summit
(Gleneagles Summit) in 2005, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
announced plans to double Japan's official development assistance
(ODA) disbursements to Africa. Under this plan, the Japanese
government has offered aid with no obligation to repay. Given this,
only a limited number of countries have received yen loans.
The Japanese government's decision to offer yen loans stems from the
judgment that African countries are now able to repay as a result of
Japan's past debt forgiveness and the recent hikes of resource
prices. The government has put forth the policy of reducing
non-reimbursable ODA funds as part of efforts to reconstruct its
finances. The yen loan program, which is outside this framework, can
be flexibly utilized. The government is also aiming to counter
China, which is beefing up aid to Africa in an attempt to secure
natural resources there.
7) Government to provide additional 50 million dollars to deal with
food crisis in developing countries
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
May 27, 2008
The government decided yesterday to provide an additional 50 million
dollars (approximately 5.17 billion yen) in aid to developing
countries suffering from soaring food prices. Prime Minister Fukuda
will announce this plan in a speech he will deliver in the World
Food Summit organized by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in Rome to start on June 3. The government has
already announced a plan to offer 100 million dollars worth of
emergency aid by this July. Japan's aid to deal with food crisis in
developing countries will total 150 million dollars (approximately
15.5 billion yen). This figure is the second largest, following the
United States.
The Japanese government aims to take the initiative in discussions
on food safety at the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African
Development (TICAD4) in Yokohama starting on May 28 and the Lake
Toya Summit (Group of Eight Summit) in Hokkaido in July, given the
ongoing serious global food crisis.
8) Government to dispatch survey mission to Burma in preparation for
sending medical care team
TOKYO 00001438 006 OF 013
NIKKEI (Page 5) (Full)
May 25, 2008
The Japanese government on the evening of May 24 announced that it
would dispatch a four-member damage survey mission from the
International Emergency Aid Unit to Burma, which was hit by a major
cyclone. The government plans to send a medical care team after the
mission assessing needs in disaster-hit areas.
The military junta in Burma had been rejecting accepting aid teams
from abroad, except for those form neighboring countries, such as
Thailand. However, it on the 23rd changed its policy and decided to
accept aid teams, if their aim is to provide humanitarian support.
Japan has thus far dispatched emergency aid goods worth 1.32 billion
yen to that nation, including tents and blankets.
9) 14th Future of Asia conference suggests need to establish crisis
management framework to cover broad areas, including disasters,
food
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
May 24, 2008
The 14th Future of Asia (hosted by Nikkei), a special forum where
government leaders and business executives from throughout the
Asia-Pacific region hold discussions, on May 23 had a panel
discussion entitled "The political situation in East Asia."
Participants from Japan, the United States, and China voiced the
need to establish a security framework to manage crises, such as
disasters, and the energy and food issues. Regarding North Korea,
participants from Japan and South Korea emphasized the need to
advance dialogue in order to keep North Korea from being isolated
internationally.
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka, currently a senior
fellow at the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE),
heeding the recent Sichuan earthquake in China, pointed out: "The
situation could have been different had there been the capability to
deal with emergencies using aircraft under defined rules." Tanaka
emphasized: "It is high time to take joint action in specific
terms." Speaking of an economic framework, Tanaka suggested: "I
think it is necessary to establish an organization that will broadly
engage in issues ranging from macroeconomics to energy like the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development."
10) Foreign Minister Koumura in speech reveals intention to give
boost to development and integration of ASEAN
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
May 24, 2008
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura delivered a speech at the 14th
Future of Asia, an international forum hosted by Nikkei at a hotel
In Tokyo. In the speech, Koumura suggested turning the Mekong River
basin into an area of hope and development and revealed his
intention to give a boost through official development assistance
(ODA) and expansion of investment by the private sector to moves by
ASEAN to grow economically and integrate.
The population of the five countries sitting on the Mekong River
basin, including Thailand and Cambodia, totals 226 million. If this
region grows economically, it could become a major market. With an
TOKYO 00001438 007 OF 013
eye on China, whose influence in the region is growing via its aid
to the region, Japan intends to be further engaged in the region.
As the features of Japan's aid, Koumura presented three: (1) a need
to establish democracy and rule of law; (2) integration of regional
economies and promotion of cooperation; and (3) expansion of trade
and investment.
Specifically, Koumura declared plans to help construction of
infrastructure and accelerate moves for concluding bilateral
agreements on investment as well as economic partnership agreements
(EPAs). He also indicated a plan to introduce $20 million for the
construction of distribution networks to cover the Mekong River
basin.
Meanwhile, former ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary
General Hidenao Nakagawa had a dialogue with Indonesian Ambassador
to Japan Jusuf Anwar on the sidelines of the 14th Future of Asia.
Nakagawa referred to Japan's tax system and emphasized the need to
lower the corporate tax, by noting: "The highest corporate tax in
the world is imposed on firms. This situation may be seen as a
closed-door tax system. We must first form a consensus and reform
this system."
11) Greenhouse gas emissions cuts: Environment ministers of G-8
recognize need to set mid-term goals
NIHON KEIZAI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
Evening, May 26, 2008
The G-8 environment ministers' meeting, held in Kobe on the morning
of May 26, wound up with the release of a chairman's summary, which
incorporated the need to set mid-term goals of cutting greenhouse
gas emissions. It stated a strong will to have the G-8 leaders
attending the Lake Toya Summit in July work to achieve setting
long-term targets to halve global emissions by 2050. It underscored
the need for industrialized countries to take the lead in global
efforts to cut emissions.
Strong will to have the G-8 leaders attending the Lake Toya Summit
in July agree to halve emissions by 2050
Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita, who served as chair, said,
"Though there were differences in opinions, I, as the chair, have
put out the paper on my own responsibility. I want to see the
chairman's summary back discussions by G-8 leaders." The chairman's
summary is intended to boost talks for setting a post-Kyoto Protocol
international framework to combat climate change from 2013 onward.
Outline of chairman's summary
? States a strong will to have the G-8 leaders attending the Lake
Toya Summit in July agree to halve emissions by 2050
? Urges industrialized countries to take the lead in global efforts
to halve emissions
? Recognizes the need to set effective mid-term targets with the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (PPCC) scientific
findings on climate change taken into account
? Urges industrialized countries to tackle cutting emissions using
nation-specific reduction targets and developing countries to
constrain the increase in emissions
? Notes that a sector-specific approach is an effective means of
TOKYO 00001438 008 OF 013
achieving reductions but is not a substitute for total reductions
targets
? Notes that a Kobe Initiative for talks to realize a low-carbon
society will be held later this year
12) G-8 Environment Ministers Meeting finds bumpy road ahead for
post-Kyoto mechanism
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
Evening, May 26, 2008
(Commentary)
The Group of Eight Environment Ministers Meeting, which was held in
Kobe, brought about an agreement to halve global greenhouse gas
emissions by 2050. But as some countries called the agreed goal "an
illusion," the targeted year is 42 years from now, a distant future,
and no specific measures have been presented.
The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
stresses that if no countermeasures are worked out, the global
temperature will rise about six degrees, eventually dealing a fatal
blow to the ecosystem.
The panel also says that even if most effective measures are
introduced, the temperature will unavoidably shoot up by around two
degrees in the coming 30 years. It emphasizes the need for the
industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by
25 to 40 PERCENT from 1990 levels.
13) Government, ruling parties plan to open extra Diet session in
mid-August with eye on holding revote on new refueling law revision
bill
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
May 24, 2008
The government and ruling parties decided on May 23 to convene an
extraordinary Diet session in the middle of August. They are
determined that in an attempt to enact a bill amending the new
antiterrorism special measures law, intended to extend the term of
the new (refueling law), definitely by the end of December, it will
be needed to move up its convocation substantially.
The new refueling law allows the Maritime Self-Defense Force to
carry out refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. The term of the
law will expire on Jan. 15 next year. The prevailing view in the
ruling coalition is that since the mission poses little risk to MSDF
troops, but it is great international contribution, according to a
senior member of the New Komeito, the junior coalition partner of
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ), the largest opposition force, has opposed an extension of the
new refueling law, noting: "(SDF) operations that are not based on
any UN dissolution are unconstitutional." In the House of
Councillors, which the DPJ-led opposition camp controls, the DPJ put
up do-or-die resistance by boycotting deliberations until the last
day the constitutional 60-day rule can be applied. The
constitutional article stipulates that if the Upper House does not
take a vote on a bill within 60 days after receiving the bill, it is
considered that that the upper chamber was rejected. There is a
TOKYO 00001438 009 OF 013
possibility that the largest opposition will take a similar response
toward the new refueling law revision bill.
A senor LDP member pointed out: "When considering the possibility of
a rejection of the bill by the opposition camp, we should open the
extra session (in mid-August). A senior New Komeito member also
said: "It's a reasonable plan."
14) Ruling parties mull ASDF pullout from Iraq
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
May 26, 2008
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New
Komeito, entered into coordination yesterday for not seeking to
extend the Iraq Special Measures Law, under which Japan has
dispatched the Air Self-Defense Forces for activities in Iraq and
which is to expire at the end of July 2009. The opposition parties
are certain to oppose extending the law. In addition, the Nagoya
High Court has ruled that the ASDF's Iraq activities are
unconstitutional. Meanwhile, U.S. President Bush will retire from
office in January next year. The ruling parties considered such
circumstances in and outside Japan. With this as an opportunity, the
ruling parties are expected to discuss when to withdraw the ASDF
from Iraq.
Former LDP Vice President Taku Yamasaki, who chairs the LDP's
foreign affairs panel, attended a panel discussion yesterday in
Tokyo, during which he indicated that it would be difficult to
extend the Iraq Special Measures Law.
Yamasaki also told reporters after the panel discussion that a
United Nations resolution, which endorses the stationing of
multinational forces in Iraq, is to expire at the end of December.
A New Komeito executive also said, "It's about time when we'd better
consider when to withdraw from Iraq."
Meanwhile, when it comes to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's
ongoing refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, the government and
the ruling parties plan to extend a new antiterrorism special
measures law, which is to expire in January next year, in an
extraordinary session of the Diet to be called in mid-August.
15) Commander hints at delay in Yokosuka deployment
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 27) (Full)
May 26, 2008
The USS George Washington, a U.S. aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy,
needs repairs due to a recent fire and its scheduled deployment to
Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, will likely be delayed, U.S. Naval
Forces Japan Commander James Kelly told the Tokyo Shimbun in an
interview yesterday. The George Washington was to arrive at Yokosuka
in August .
The George Washington will arrive at a naval base in the U.S. West
Coast city of San Diego on May 28 to check its damage from the fire
for about a week, Kelly said. After a damage check report, the U.S.
Navy's leadership will judge what repairs the George Washington will
undergo and at which base, according to Kelly.
TOKYO 00001438 010 OF 013
Kelly also revealed that the George Washington, currently scheduled
to arrive at Yokosuka on Aug. 19, would have to delay its scheduled
arrival, depending on its repair plan. "The schedule could be
affected," Kelly said.
Kelly also explained that two crewmen were injured in the fire,
adding one more to the list.
The fire is believed to have started in an auxiliary power system on
the stern's right side. However, Kelly definitely said the George
Washington has no problem with the safety of its nuclear reactors
and is trouble free for its Yokosuka deployment.
16) Ishiba's MOD reform plan losing steam; Discussion likely to
center on Iokibe plan to maintain present framework
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
May 25, 2008
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's radical MOD (Ministry of Defense)
reform plan to integrate the internal bureaus (civilian group) and
the staff offices of the three Self-Defense Force branches is losing
steam. Chances are growing that the government's MOD reform council
will produce a report in June based on a reform plan mapped out by
National Defense Academy President (also reform council member)
Makoto Iokibe who advocates the maintenance of the current
organizational framework.
From early on, there has been criticism in the MOD and the Liberal
Democratic Party about Ishiba's plan as too radical. In a council
meeting held on May 21 at the Prime Minister's Official Residence
(Kantei), many voiced objections to the MOD-presented reform plans,
including one produced by Ishiba. His plan has been drawing fire
from within the LDP as well.
Headed by Ishiba, the MOD had to specify several options, including
the Ishiba plan.
Drawing much attention is the private plan presented to the council
meeting on May 21 by Iokibe, a council member. Iokibe's plan is
designed to keep the internal bureaus and the SDF staff offices
intact in principle, making a clear distinction with the MOD plans.
Iokibe is an advisor to Prime Minister Fukuda on foreign and
security affairs. On May 4, three persons, including Ishiba,
exchanged views. "In the session, the prime minister and Mr. Iokibe
put a stop to Mr. Ishiba," a senior MOD official noted. A Fukuda
aide, too, commented, "The Iokibe plan speaks for the prime
minister's feelings." Future discussions are likely to proceed
centering on the Iokibe plan.
17) Permanent SDF overseas dispatch law: Maehara plan allowing the
government to make independent decision conflicts with Ozawa's stock
argument
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
May 24, 2008
A group of like-minded members of the Democratic Party of Japan,
including Deputy President Seiji Maehara and Lower House member Shu
Watanabe, unveiled yesterday a draft plan on a permanent law
governing the overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces.
TOKYO 00001438 011 OF 013
Specifying the country's intention to actively and independently
contribute to international efforts, the plan is designed to allow
the government to dispatch the SDF on overseas missions without UN
resolutions based on the Diet's prior approval. Ruling out the
threat of use of force, the plan also limits the area of activities
to "non-combat zones," in line with the government's current
interpretation of the Constitution.
The draft plan was presented by Maehara and others at the May 23
executive meeting of the Young Parliamentarians' League to Establish
a Security System for a New Century, composed of ruling and
opposition party members. In addition to the conventional
humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, the activities of a
dispatched unit include: (1) guarding; (2) minesweeping; (3)
maritime intercept operations; and (4) security at sea.
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa's basic view on the overseas dispatch of
the SDF is that activities should be limited to those that are
endorsed by UN resolutions or the United Nations and that the SDF
can join UN peacekeeping operations that even involve the use of
force. The draft plan by Maehara and others, which is wide apart
from Ozawa's view, is likely to stir up a controversy within the
DPJ.
18) Poll: Cabinet support reaches 24 PERCENT
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged)
May 26, 2008
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey on May
23-25, in which the rate of public support for Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda and his cabinet was 24 PERCENT , up 3 percentage points form
the last survey taken from late April through early May. The
nonsupport rate for the Fukuda cabinet was still high at 64 PERCENT
, down 4 points. In the breakdown of public support for political
parties, the leading Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) stood at
36 PERCENT , with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party at 31 PERCENT
. The DPJ outstripped the LDP for the second time in a row. This can
be taken as reflecting the public criticism of a newly introduced
health insurance system for the elderly. In the survey, a total of
35 PERCENT called for expanding the scope of measures to lighten or
reduce insurance premiums for those in the low income bracket.
The Fukuda cabinet's support rate was below 30 PERCENT for the
third time in a row. The most common reason given for not supporting
the Fukuda cabinet was "he lacks leadership" at 56 PERCENT ,
followed by "its policies are bad" at 52 PERCENT and "it's
unstable" at 32 PERCENT . Among those who support the Fukuda
cabinet, the most common reason was "he's trustworthy" at 38 PERCENT
, followed by "because it's an LDP cabinet" at 36 PERCENT .
The survey was taken by Nikkei Research Inc. by telephone on a
random digit dialing (RDD) basis. For the survey, samples were
chosen from among men and women aged 20 and over across the nation.
A total of 1,514 households with one or more eligible voters were
sampled, and answers were obtained from 966 persons (63.8 PERCENT
).
19) Government to forgo presenting own nomination of BOJ deputy
governor to current Diet session
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
TOKYO 00001438 012 OF 013
Eve. May 26, 2008
The government decided on May 26 to forgo submitting to the Diet its
nomination for the post of a deputy governor of the Bank of Japan,
which has been vacant, during the current regular session. However,
the government will present on May 27 its nominations for 22 posts,
such as president of the Deposit Insurance Corporation, whose term
expires in the fall, and the chairman of a Reemployment Supervision
Committee, which will be established soon.
Chief Cabinet Secretary General Nobutaka Machimura conveyed the
decision to the steering committee chairmen of the two chambers of
the Diet on the morning of May 26 and revealed it in a press
conference held later in the day.
Referring to the selection of a BOJ deputy governor, Machimura
stated: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Fukuda, we made
efforts to coordinate views, but we failed to reach any conclusion."
He also pointed out that it would be difficult for the government to
submit a nomination to the ongoing session, saying: "It is not easy
to find an appropriate person and get approval."
20) View calling for censure motion against prime minister gradually
gaining ground in DPJ
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpt)
May 27, 2007
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has forgone so
far twice its plan to submit a censure motion against Prime Minister
Yasuo Fukuda to the House of Councillors during the current Diet
session. Even if the DPJ submitted a censure motion, Fukuda would
have "ignored" it. If a censure motion is ignored even if passed,
the largest opposition party would have not choice but to boycott
Diet deliberations. So, the DJP has judged that if such occurs, it
would be criticized for prolonged refusal to deliberate in the
session.
The DPJ's strategy is to pursue through Diet deliberations the issue
of the (controversial) new health insurance system for people aged
75 and older, as well as to attack the waste of road tax revenues.
However, the party is now being forced to make a decision on whether
to submit a censure motion against the prime minister or not during
the ongoing session.
The dominant view in the DPJ was that the party should forgo such a
motion during the current session on the grounds that it would be
difficult to force Fukuda to dissolve the House of Representatives
and call a snap election. Recently, however, the mood in the party
has delicately changed.
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama pointed out: "During the remaining
three weeks (of the session), we want to use the opposition's power
in the Upper House to benefit the public. So, we have no choice but
to do something."
The fact that public support rates for the DPJ have topped those for
the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is the major reason behind the
growing calls for the submission of a censure motion against Fukuda
in the largest opposition party.
21) DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama: DPJ will continue to oppose
TOKYO 00001438 013 OF 013
extension of new refueling law revision bill
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
May 24, 2008
When asked by reporters about his party's view on an extension of
the new antiterrorism special measures law, which will expire next
January, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said on May 23: "(The
DPJ) opposed last time around. We have not found any reason for
changing our opposition." He indicated in his remark that the DPJ
would continue to oppose the extension of the law.
SCHIEFFER