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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2708/01 2732348
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 292348Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7561
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 2448
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0091
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3833
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 8179
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 0666
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5559
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1552
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1836
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002708
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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/30/08
INDEX:
(1) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Mainichi)
(2) Prime Minister in Diet policy speech, filled with a
confrontational mood, aimed at Diet dissolution, throws questions
back at the DPJ (Asahi)
(3) Obuchi-headed LDP branch received donations from companies
punished by former Defense Agency (Tokyo Shimbun)
(4) Consul General Maher says Futenma is key to returning six
facilities (Okinawa Times)
(5) U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier arrives at Yokosuka amid protests
by civic groups (Akahata)
(6) Editorial: Yokota airspace returned-Metropolitan skies made more
convenient (Yomiuri)
(7) Nippon Oil to expand oil production in Vietnam, followed by
Idemitsu (Nikkei)
(8) Post-Kyoto Protocol: Japan's plan for measures to combat global
warming revealed; Proposal for new protocol; Efficiency goal for
developing countries (Mainichi)
(9) Government proposal for post-Kyoto protocol framework obligates
emerging countries to achieve goals (Asahi)
(10) TOP HEADLINES
(11) EDITORIALS
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, Sept. 25 & 26 (Nikkei)
ARTICLES:
(1) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
September 26, 2008
Questions & Answers
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female)
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet?
T P M F
Yes 45 (25) 45 45
No 26 (52) 30 23
Not interested 27 (21) 23 29
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the above question) Why?
T P M F
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 15
18 13
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's leadership
42 43 42
Because there's something friendly about the prime minister 20 12
24
TOKYO 00002708 002 OF 012
Because something can be expected of the prime minister's policy
measures 16 22 14
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the above question) Why?
T P M F
Because the prime minister is from the Liberal Democratic Party 29
34 25
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's leadership
10 7 12
Because there's something imprudent about the prime minister 21 16
25
Because nothing can be expected of the prime minister's policy
measures 36 39 33
Q: Which political party do you support?
T P M F
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 28 (24) 32 26
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 22 (24) 32 17
New Komeito (NK) 4 (4) 4 4
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 3 (3) 3 3
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2 (1) 1 2
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0 (1) 0 0
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0 (0) 0 0
Other political parties 1 (1) 1 1
None 37 (39) 25 43
Q: Do you appreciate Prime Minister Aso's appointees for his
cabinet's posts and for the LDP's executive lineup?
T P M F
Yes 36 32 38
No 48 58 43
Q: Prime Minister Aso, in his campaign for the LDP presidential
election, insisted that the government should prioritize economic
stimulus measures over fiscal reconstruction for the time being. Do
you appreciate this standpoint?
T P M F
Yes 66 69 65
No 24 25 24
Q: In the LDP presidential election, whether to continue or review
former Prime Minister Koizumi's structural reforms was also a
campaign issue. Do you think the policy course of structural reforms
should be continued or reviewed?
T P M F
It should be continued 29 36 25
It should be reviewed 61 57 63
Q: Which do you think should come first, dissolving the House of
Representatives for a general election or passing a supplementary
budget to deal with rising oil and food prices?
T P M F
General election 22 28 19
Supplementary budget 68 65 70
Q: Who do you think is more appropriate for prime minister between
TOKYO 00002708 003 OF 012
Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa?
T P M F
Prime Minister Aso 42 41 42
DPJ President Ozawa 19 28 14
Neither is appropriate 30 24 34
Q: Which one between the LDP and the DPJ would you like to see win
in the next election for the House of Representatives?
T P M F
LDP 41 (31) 40 42
DPJ 37 (46) 46 32
Other political parties 11 (12) 6 14
Q: Two successive prime ministers, namely Prime Minister Abe and
Prime Minister Fukuda, stepped down a year after coming into office.
Will you take this into consideration when voting in the next
election for the House of Representatives?
T P M F
Yes 44 46 44
No 47 47 47
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "0" indicates that
the figure was below 0.5 PERCENT . "No answer" omitted. Figures in
parentheses denote the results of the last survey conducted Aug.
1-2. The previous cabinet support rate for the Fukuda cabinet.
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Sept. 24-25 over the
telephone across the nation on a computer-aided random digit
sampling (RDS) basis. A total of 1,299 households with one or more
eligible voters were sampled. Answers were obtained from 786 persons
(61 PERCENT ).
(2) Prime Minister in Diet policy speech, filled with a
confrontational mood, aimed at Diet dissolution, throws questions
back at the DPJ
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts)
Eve., September 29, 2008
Prime Minister Aso this afternoon delivered his first policy speech
before the two chambers of the Diet since coming into office. He
brought up five points: 1) the formation of agreements in the Diet;
2) the supplementary budget; 3) the creation of a Consumer Affairs
Agency; 4) the Japan-U.S. alliance and the United Nations; and 5)
continuation of refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. The
contents of each of the five points brought up in the speech were
unusual in that they were posed as if answering questions by the
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) with specific responses. He seemed
to be making an opening move to draw out the opposition camp into
policy talks, and if they refused to respond, to dissolve the Lower
House. He also aimed to lay out the points at issue for the general
election campaign.
In the speech, he first brought up the issue of Diet management.
Using the example of the gasoline and other provisional taxes, which
were briefly scrapped, he criticized: "The DPJ consistently has
taken a stance that places politics first and the lives of the
people second and third." He proposed rules for agreement formation
among the two parties, saying, "Is the DPJ prepared to do that?"
TOKYO 00002708 004 OF 012
On economic policy, the Prime Minister brought up his pet argument
of immediate economic stimulation, mid-term fiscal reconstruction,
and mid to long-term economic growth through reforms. He appealed
for a swift passage of the supplementary budget for this fiscal year
in order to implement the comprehensive economic package that was
compiled in late August. To the DPJ, he asked, "If there is
something in it that you cannot swallow, I would like you to state
it in the interpellations along with your argument." He challenged
the party: "It would be fine if you present your own proposal.
However, I would like you to tell me where the fiscal resources will
come from."
(3) Obuchi-headed LDP branch received donations from companies
punished by former Defense Agency
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 31) (Full)
September 29, 2008
The Liberal Democratic Party Gunma Prefecture fifth election branch
headed by Declining Birthrate Minister Yuko Obuchi received at least
a total of 7.36 million yen in donations from six companies that had
been punished with suspension from the list of designated
contractors and other penalties by the Land, Infrastructure, and
Transport Ministry and municipal governments, it was learned on
Sept. 26.
"We want to act quickly to return the money in a way convincing to
the public," a branch source said.
According to the branch's political funds reports between 2003 and
2007 and other documents, the donations came from the six companies,
including Sanko Air Conditioning Co. (Kita Ward, Osaka City) and
Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Nishi Ward, Osaka City) that had been
punished with the suspension from the list designated contractors
over a bid-rigging scandal involving the now-defunct Defense
Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA) as well as other penalties.
Among the six companies is one that was punished with a three-month
suspension of designation by the Shimane prefectural government
after a warning from the Fair Trade Commission.
Each company donated between 100,000 yen and 1 million yen a year.
Ikeno Tsuuken Corp. (Kita Ward, Tokyo) made a contribution even in
March 2006 when it was not allowed to take part in biddings due to a
punitive step equivalent to the suspension of designation.
In March 2006, the Defense Agency took a punitive step equivalent to
the suspension of designation not allowed to join tenders against
178 companies, including those that submitted bids for a
DFAA-ordered project over which persons concerned had been arrest
and indicted over bid-rigging.
(4) Consul General Maher says Futenma is key to returning six
facilities
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full)
September 29, 2008
U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher delivered a speech,
"Current Situation and Future Prospects of U.S. Force Realignment, "
at an International Visitors Program reunion held in Naha City on
TOKYO 00002708 005 OF 012
Sept. 26.
He explained that the return of six installations south of Kadena
Air Base were connected the timeframe for the relocation of Futenma
Air Station and the completion of the removal of U.S. Marines to
Guam that are set for 2014. He added: "It is not clear when the
facilities south of the base will be returned as the next step. The
return is conditioned on whether the relocation of Futenma
succeeds."
"The two governments have been able to confirm whether or not the
capabilities of the facilities to be returned can be relocated to
other existing installations." The consul general also explained
that final coordination for drawing up the master plan, initially
planned for March 2007, has stalled.
Asked if the return of bases south of Kadena Air Base has not moved
forward because the realignment of U.S. forces is a package deal,
the consul general explained: "Unless Futenma functions are
relocated to Camp Schwab and the 8,000 Marines moved to Guam, the
support facilities at Camp Kinser (Makiminato Service Area) cannot
be relocated to Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab, and Guam. They are all
interrelated as a package deal."
(5) U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier arrives at Yokosuka amid protests
by civic groups
AKAHATA (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 26, 2008
The (97,000-ton) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George
Washington (that accommodates about 5,600 crew members) arrived at
Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, Sept. 25, amid civic
groups staging rallies against the deployment.
The carrier replaces the conventional aircraft carrier USS Kitty
Hawk, which completed its mission in Japan in May. It is the first
time for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be deployed in Japan.
About 70 PERCENT of the Yokosuka citizens are opposed to the
deployment, keeping in mind risk from the permanent deployment of an
aircraft carrier and fearing nuclear incidents, remembering a fire
that broke out while crew members were smoking on the USS George
Washington. Civic groups staged rallies in many locations from
morning to night yesterday.
The world's largest warship entered the Bay of Tokyo around 08:00
and then was berthed at No.12 Pier in the base at 10:05.
In a ceremony held by the governments of Japan and the U.S.,
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter said that the deployment of a
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "is part of the commitments to the
Japan-U.S. alliance." U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer
expressed his appreciation for Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya for
concurring with the deployment of the nuclear aircraft carrier,
saying: "I appreciate him for his firm friendship and
understanding." A message from Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone
was also read at the ceremony. On the fire on the George Washington
and a series of radiation-leak incidents, however, there was
reference neither to their causes nor what preventive measures
would be taken.
(6) Editorial: Yokota airspace returned-Metropolitan skies made more
TOKYO 00002708 006 OF 012
convenient
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full)
September 23, 2008
Flight routes can now be easily set for westward-bound passenger
planes from Haneda Airport in Tokyo.
That is because the Yokota airspace, which expands over the west of
the airport and is under the air traffic control of the U.S. Air
Force's Yokota Air Base, has now been returned in part to Japan.
The skies over the metropolitan area are now more crowded.
Accordingly, it is very significant that new air routes have been
secured for flights to and from Haneda.
The Japanese and U.S. governments have also agreed to consider
necessary conditions by fiscal 2009 for the United States to return
the Yokota airspace in its entirety. We want the two governments to
push ahead with talks for specifics about the airspace's overall
reversion.
The Yokota airspace came under the Allied Powers' control after the
end of World War II. After that, its traffic control was transferred
to the U.S. military. Since then, the U.S. Air Force, based on the
Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, has controlled the air
traffic of U.S. military and Self-Defense Forces aircraft to and
from the Yokota, Atsugi, and Iruma bases.
In May 2006, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed on the Yokota
airspace's partial reversion as a step in the process of realigning
U.S. forces in Japan. This is the eighth time for the United States
to return part of the airspace. This time, however, the United
States has returned 20 PERCENT of the airspace's area and 50
PERCENT of its volume.
In the past as well, civilian aircraft was allowed to pass through
the airspace with permission from the U.S. military. For safety and
other reasons, however, the greater part of civilian airplanes from
Haneda Airport to such destinations as Kyushu, South Korea, and
China used to turn and make a steep climb over Tokyo Bay to fly over
the Yokota airspace.
With the airspace's reversion this time, the Yokota airspace's
altitude is now markedly lower. Civilian aircraft can now easily fly
over the Yokota airspace without needing to make a steep climb.
The flight time of westbound flights from Haneda to destinations
will be three minutes shorter on average, according to the Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Its economic effect, such as
reducing fuel costs, will total 9.8 billion yen.
In October 2010, a fourth runway will be placed in service at Haneda
Airport. This will make it possible for the airport to handle an
annual total of more than 400,000 flights, an increase of 140
PERCENT from the airport's current handling capacity. The annual
number of international flights to and from such cities as Shanghai
and Seoul is also expected to increase to 60,000.
Setting new westbound flight routes will also give a significant
impetus to the internationalization of Haneda. It is essential to
further improve flight routes before the airport's reextension and
TOKYO 00002708 007 OF 012
make the most of the effects of airspace reversion.
The task left to Haneda is how to set flight routes over the heart
of Tokyo.
In principle, the skies over the heart of Tokyo are currently
excluded from flight paths out of consideration for the noise
problem and other circumstances. Instead, there are many flight
routes over Chiba Prefecture. This has caused a strong feeling of
unfairness.
If the skies over the heart of Tokyo can be better used for civil
aviation, there will be more leeway for flight paths, and the
metropolitan skies can be more convenient. The Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport and the Tokyo metropolitan government
should discuss this matter in earnest.
(7) Nippon Oil to expand oil production in Vietnam, followed by
Idemitsu
NIKKEI (Page 7) (Full)
September 28, 2008
(Takashi Nishioka, Ho Chi Minh)
Nippon Oil Corp. has started producing crude oil at a new oil field
off the southwest coast of Vietnam. The company will increase
production in that nation by about 20 PERCENT . Idemitsu Kosan Co.
will also begin producing oil in Vietnam for the first time.
Although the domestic market of gasoline and other fuels, key
products for oil wholesalers, has been shrinking, oil prices remain
high. Given this, the companies decided to quickly expand oil
production in Vietnam.
Nippon Oil developed the new Phuong Dong oil field jointly with
state-run Petrovietnam. The field is located north of the Rang Dong
field, where the two companies have jointly produced crude oil. The
daily output at Phuong Dong is expected to increase from the current
12,000 barrels to 15,000 barrels in 2009, of which Nippon Oil will
have an interest of about 5,000 barrels.
Nippon Oil has an interest of 16,000 barrels in the daily output at
Rang Dong, but now that 10 years have passed since production
started there, production volumes are on the decline.
To cover the reduced volume, the company will boost the daily output
at Phuong Dong to about 19,000 barrels in 2009. The company also
plans to excavate about seven wells with Petrovietnam by investing
approximately 9 billion yen in 2009 as part of efforts to increase
oil production.
Idemitsu Kosan plans to develop an oil field off the southern coast
of Vietnam with Petrovietnam and a Russian oil company. About 70
billion yen will be invested in building production facilities, of
which Idemitsu will shoulder about 5 billion yen.
The project team plans to start production in the latter half of
fiscal 2009. The estimated daily output will be about 20,000
barrels, and Idemitsu will be given an interest of about 1,500
barrels.
Produced in Vietnam is light oil from which such high-value-added
TOKYO 00002708 008 OF 012
oil as gasoline and diesel oil can be extracted considerably easily.
Since the Vietnamese crude is low-sulfur, the product is priced
high. Nippon Oil and Idemitsu intend to sell the Vietnamese oil to
China, Singapore, Australia, and other countries.
Sales of gasoline in Japan in July dropped by 6.8 PERCENT below the
same period a year ago, recording the third consecutive monthly
decline. Sales of all kinds of fuel oil, including light oil, also
decreased 3.5 PERCENT , showing that the Japanese oil market is
reducing as a whole.
Oil prices are staying high, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI)
exceeding 100 dollars per barrel, seen from a historical angle.
Since there are few cases of entry of U.S. and European oil majors
into Vietnam, unlike their proactive access to oil-producing
countries in the Middle East and other regions, Japanese firms are
expected to accelerate moves to expand oil production in Vietnam in
the future.
(8) Post-Kyoto Protocol: Japan's plan for measures to combat global
warming revealed; Proposal for new protocol; Efficiency goal for
developing countries
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
September 27, 2008
The government is expected to submit a proposal for a framework for
measures to address global warming to be adopted in 2013 (post-Kyoto
protocol) to the 14 Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP14) to be held in December. A full
version of the draft was revealed on September 26. According to the
draft, the government will propose adopting a new protocol, instead
of extending the Kyoto Protocol framework. Though the proposal does
not seek main developing countries, such as China, to set global
warming greenhouse gas reduction targets, it imposes a certain
designated obligation on them, by asking them to set caps on global
warming gas emissions with binding power.
The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, during which
Japan and the European Union (EU) are obligated to cut carbon
emissions, is 2008-2012. For a framework for 2013 and beyond, talks
are under way with the aim of reaching an agreement by the end of
next year. The U.S., the largest carbon emitter in the world, has
opted out of the framework, dissatisfied with developing countries
assuming no obligation to cut emissions. Japan has decided to seek
the adoption of a new framework in order to urge the U.S. and China
to joint it.
The new framework will mandate advanced countries to set a
nation-specific cap to be achieved as the Kyoto Protocol does.
In the meantime, it seeks main developing countries, such as China
and India, to set an energy improvement goal, such as the amount of
energy needed to produce 1 ton of iron. The goals are obligatory
with binding power attached to them. Industrialized countries will
set nation-specific reduction targets by determining their own total
emissions amount and work out reduction rates, by comparing that
amount with the amount of emissions in more than one base year.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, reduction goals were set, based on the
base year of 1990. However, under the new framework, more than one
base year, such as a year with the latest data and 1990, will be
adopted.
TOKYO 00002708 009 OF 012
Outline of Japanese proposal
? Adopt a new protocol or a revised protocol as the next framework
? Set nation-specific caps for industrialized countries and obligate
them to achieve their goals.
? Goals are to be indicated in terms of reduction rates from more
than one base year, including a year with the latest data, and total
emissions cuts.
? Main developing countries are to set energy efficiency goals in
main areas and in the economy as a whole as a goal with binding
power.
? Other countries are to submit a national action program.
(9) Government proposal for post-Kyoto protocol framework obligates
emerging countries to achieve goals
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
September 27, 2008
A proposal for a next-term framework to combat global warming to be
adopted in 2013 (post-Kyoto Protocol framework) prepared by the
Japanese government was revealed on September 26. According to the
proposal, the post-Kyoto Protocol framework will treat fast growing
emerging countries, such as India and China, whose carbon emissions
are sharply increasing, separately from developing countries,
characterizing them as major developing countries, and obligate them
to achieve energy efficiency goals consisting of nation-specific and
major industry-specific targets.
In the run-up to the 14 Conference of the Parties of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP14) to be held in Poland
in December this year, the government will shortly submit the
proposal to the UN. This is the first time for the Japanese
government to come up with a specific proposal regarding the
obligation of emerging countries, a major focus of attention in the
upcoming framework talks. Emerging countries, such as China and
India, are expected to fiercely oppose the proposal.
A major feature of the proposal is a focus on the categorization of
main developing country, in addition to two other existing groups --
industrialized countries and developing countries -- under the
present Kyoto Protocol. At present, industrialized countries are
obliged to achieve a nation-specific emissions cap. However, since
China, which is viewed as having become the largest emitter in the
world, and India, the fifth largest emitter, are regarded as
developing countries, there is no institutional way to stop them
from increasing carbon emissions.
Under the Japanese plan, major developing countries will be mandated
to set an energy efficiency goal in such main industry areas as
steel, cement, aluminum and electric power, as well as an efficiency
target for energy conservation to be achieved by a country as a
whole. Though it will not seek them to set a nation-specific
emissions cap, which could hamper economic growth, it urges them to
constrain carbon emissions, by obligating them to set an efficiency
goal with the aim of urging them to conserve energy. Energy
efficiency goals envisage a reduction in gas emissions when
producing 1 ton of crude steel in the steel industry, for instance.
As a nation-specific goal, the improvement of the ratio of gas
emissions to the GDP is assumed.
TOKYO 00002708 010 OF 012
Guidelines for defining major developing countries will be worked
out later. A "graduation" mechanism of main developing countries
being upgraded to industrialized countries, once they meet
designated conditions, will also be set. Other developing countries
will be obligated just to compile an action program and check
progress.
Regarding a base year (1990 under the Kyoto Protocol), more than one
year will be set as base years, with 2006 or 2007, when the latest
data are expected to become available, being the two choices in
mind.
(10) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi: Yomiuri: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun:
Land minister Nakayama resigns after gaffes: Kazuyoshi Kaneko to
replace him
Mainichi:
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma apologizes for hepatitis C infections via
tainted products: Basic agreement signed
Nikkei:
Concern about economic slump becoming protracted: Global economic
slowdown that started in U.S.
Akahata:
Improve corporate culture, General Secretary Ichita calls for in TV
debate
(11) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Resignation of transport minister: Prime minister makes
miscalculation
(2) Shenzhou 7: Bring China into international cooperation
framework
Mainichi:
(1) Transport Minister Nakayama steps down due to sloppy blunder
(2) Junichiro Koizumi to step down: We want to hear summary of his
reform drive from him
Yomiuri:
(1) Transport Minister Nakayama steps down: His statements lacked
temperance
(2) Space ship Shenzhou: Japan also needs solid strategy
Nikkei:
(1) Thought on opening the country for human resources: Reform
fabricated system involving unskilled laborers
Sankei:
(1) Resignation of Transport Minister Nakayama: Do not repeat words
and actions that would erase confidence
(2) Release of ibises: It is important to protect before its
extinction
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Resignation of transport minister: Hideous blunder
(2) Split of health insurance under government jurisdiction: Improve
medical service with improved efficiency
TOKYO 00002708 011 OF 012
Akahata:
(1) Consumption tax statement by Prime Minister Aso: Prevent
in-stage hike
(12) Prime Minister's schedule, Sept. 25 & 26
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 27, 2008
Sept. 25
Afternoon
Arrived at Kennedy International Airport in New York. Met Australian
Prime Minister Rudd at the Intercontinental Hotel. Held a joint
press conference.
Evening
Delivered a speech at UN Headquarters. Later, met Bono, vocalist of
the rock band U2. Talked without sitting down with U.S. State
Secretary Rice and British Foreign Minister Miliband. Then met with
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Night
Attended a dinner party hosted by Ban. Later met Iraqi President
Talabani.
Sept. 26
Morning
Left New York by a government plane.
Prime Minister's schedule, Sept. 27
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 28, 2008
02:53
Arrived at Haneda Airport by a government plane.
03:35
Arrived at his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
11:26
Took a walk around his residence.
14:06
Reported at the Imperial Palace on his return to Japan.
15:18
Met at the Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura and deputy
chief cabinet secretaries Matsumoto and Uruma.
16:40
Met Kawamura and Uruma. Kawamura stayed behind.
17:06
Arrived at his private office in Nagata-cho.
18:30
Returned to his private residence.
TOKYO 00002708 012 OF 012
Prime Minister's schedule, Sept. 28
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 29, 2008
06:44
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
09:17
Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura at the Kantei.
09:32
Met Construction and Transport Minister Nakayama, joined by
Kawamura. Kawamura stayed behind.
10:01
Attended a special cabinet meeting.
11:24
Met LDP Secretary General Hosoda and New Komeito Secretary General
Kitagawa, joined by Kawamura. Kawamura stayed behind.
12:58
Met Kawamura and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. Kawamura
stayed behind.
16:00
Met editorial writers from press companies. Later met TV news
commentators. Then met reporters assigned to the Cabinet Office.
18:10
Met Kawamura. Joined by former Administrative Reform Minister
Kaneko. Kawamura stayed behind.
19:44
Dined with his secretaries at the Chinese restaurant in the Hotel
Okura.
21:58
Returned to his private residence.
SCHIEFFER