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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002813
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 10/09/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Financial panic:
4) TSE plummets 952 points; yen at one time was 98 to the dollar
(Nikkei)
5) Tokyo Stock Exchange's dependence on foreign investors
underscored by yesterday's nosedive (Tokyo Shimbun)
6) Damage heavy to auto and electronics exports due to sudden yen
appreciation (Tokyo Shimbun)
War on terror:
7) Aso government clearing way for Diet approval of bill extending
the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean (Asahi)
8) Bill extending the Indian Ocean refueling bill likely to pass the
Diet this month, but specific issues regarding the mission would
still remain (Nikkei)
Defense issues:
9) Interfax: ASDF chased Russian bombers over Sea of Japan
(Yomiuri)
10) Tokyo Foundation wants Japan to possess an second-strike
capability to retaliate against ballistic missiles (Yomiuri)
North Korea problem:
11) Senior Foreign Ministry officials, briefed by U.S. envoy on
recent U.S.-DPRK agreement, reserve judgment (Sankei)
12) U.S. tells Japan that removing North Korea from the
terror-supporting list is a prearranged policy line (Asahi)
13) Japan will support a framework agreement between the U.S. and
North Korea (Tokyo Shimbun)
14) Prime Minister Aso to attend ASEM Oct. 24-25 at which the
financial crisis will lead the agenda (Asahi)
Diet affairs:
15) Supplementary budget passes Lower House, opening the way for
possible Lower House election after Nov. 16 (Nikkei)
16) Diet sees a kind of reversal of positions of Liberal Democratic
Party and Democratic Party of Japan (Tokyo Shimbun)
17) DPJ head Ozawa leaves hospital bed to return to the Diet masked
and muffled (Tokyo Shimbun)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun:
Shimomura wins Nobel Prize in chemistry
Nikkei:
10 central banks cut interest rates at same time to ease market
turmoil
Akahata:
DPJ approves vote on new antiterrorism bill
2) EDITORIALS
TOKYO 00002813 002 OF 011
Asahi:
(1) Worldwide stock plunge: Capital injection necessary
(2) Shimomura wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Mainichi:
(1) Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Shimomura for discovering
revolutionary tool to explore life phenomena
(2) Extension of refueling mission must not be used for Lower House
dissolution
Yomiuri:
(1) Extra measures needed to prop up economy
(2) Nobel Prize: Prominent Japanese scientists overseas offer ample
lessons
Nikkei:
(1) U.S., European countries must inject capital into markets
following coordinated rate cuts
(2) Japan invigorated by four scientists who won Nobel Prizes
Sankei:
(1) Supplementary budget clears Lower House: DPJ must demonstrate
pragmatism in policy
(2) Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Creative research essential
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Extra budget to be enacted: Time to dissolve Lower House
(2) Young researchers urged to follow Nobel Prize winners
Akahata:
(1) Seven years of Afghan war: Time to make serious efforts for
peace
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, October 8
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
October 9, 2008
08:03
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto.
08:50
Met with Environment Minister Saito, followed by Welfare Minister
Masuzoe in the Diet building.
09:00
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session.
12:09
Met at Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura.
12: 32
Called Yoichiro Nambu, who won the 2008 Novel Prize in Physics. Met
afterwards with LDP Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman
Suzuki and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike.
13:00
Attended Lower House Budget Committee session.
14:50
TOKYO 00002813 003 OF 011
Had a catch with Justice Minister Mori.
15:19
Met at Kantei with LDP Upper House Chairman Otsuji.
15:45
Met with Argentina's Communications Agency chief Salasu (TN:
phonetic), attended by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi. .
16:24
Met with Foreign Ministry Foreign Policy Bureau chief Bessho.
17:02
Met with Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano.
17:32
Attended Lower House plenary session.
18:39
Met at Kantei with Bahrain's Prince Salman.
20:47
Met with Matsumoto at the Bar "Golden Lion" in Imperial Hotel.
23:10
Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
4) Nikkei Stock Average plummets 952 points to close at 9,203,
raising worries about market turmoil; Yen temporarily tests 98
against dollar
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
October 9, 2008
The benchmark Nikkei Stock Average on October 8 fell for five
consecutive days to close at 9,203.32, down 9.38 PERCENT or 952.58
points from the previous day. It was the lowest level in five years
and three months and the third-sharpest percentage fall ever. The
dollar and the euro sharply dropped against the yen with the yen
temporarily going below 100 against the dollar for the first time in
six months. A sense of alarm about a decline in the global economy
is further growing due to the financial crisis in the U.S. and
Europe.
5) TSE plunges, exposing Japan's dependence on foreign capital
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full)
October 9, 2008
In the wake of the deepening U.S. financial crisis, Tokyo stocks
continued to fall yesterday, October 8, with the benchmark Nikkei
Stock Average sliding to the third lowest level in the postwar
period. The margin of the dive of Japanese shares is larger than
that of the U.S., where the financial crisis started, exposing that
the Japanese market largely depends on foreign capital.
Stock markets in South Korea and Hong Kong also plummeted yesterday.
The Indonesian market suspended trading. Asian markets have thus all
collapsed.
The U.S., which has accepted investment funds from all over the
world and put them into the markets and economies of various
TOKYO 00002813 004 OF 011
countries, has been serving as the heart of the global economy.
However, the global economy is in a moribund state with the U.S.
financial system becoming dysfunctional. Market instability is
mounting to the maximum, because various countries are stalled in
taking countermeasures.
The fall of the Japanese market is particularly noticeable. The
closing price of the Nikkei Stock Average index yesterday dropped
49.6 PERCENT from the latest high of 18,261.98 en marked in July 9,
2007. In contrast, the closing quotation of the Dow-Jones average
index on the 7th was down only 33.3 PERCENT , compared with the
latest high.
Commenting on the large fall of stocks in Japan, which is not
supposed to be facing a serious financial crisis, Yutaka Miura, a
senior technical analyst at Shinko Securities noted, "The trend
indicates that Japan highly depends on foreign capital."
According to the TSE, foreign investors commanded about 60 PERCENT
of trading value in 2007. Foreign investors' share holding ratio on
major stock markets in Japan increased to approximately 28 PERCENT
in fiscal 2007 from 14 PERCENT in fiscal 1998.
An analyst at a certain leading securities house said that Japan is
subject to foreign capital with foreign banks and hedge funds, which
are hard-pressed for capital, unloading Japanese shares.
Japan has neglected to take measures to boost domestic demand
following the government's deregulation policy and address the
effect of the declining birthrate even after it settled the bad loan
problem. Its vulnerability has apparently been exposed suddenly due
to the financial crisis.
6) Strong yen hits auto, electronics industries
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Lead para.)
October 9, 2008
The yen's buoyancy is accelerating, testing 100 yen on the Tokyo
foreign exchange market on October 8. The sharp rise in the value of
the yen is bound to affect exports, which support the backbone of
the Japanese economy. Auto and electronics industries, whose export
ratio is high, will inevitably face a decline in business
performance, compounded by sluggish sales in the wake of the ailing
economy. There is a strong possibility of the situation dealing a
further blow to the Japanese economy.
7) Japan to extend refueling mission, clearing the "demon's gate"
for the Aso administration
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
October 9, 2008
By Keiichi Kaneko, Atsuko Niuchi
It has now become likely that a bill amending the refueling
assistance special measures law to continue the Maritime
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will
obtain Diet approval in the current session. Clearing the "demon's
gate" that has baffled the former Abe and Fukuda cabinets, Prime
Minister Taro Aso is now likely to preserve his face by keeping his
TOKYO 00002813 005 OF 011
international pledge of Japan remaining committed to the war on
terror.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura in yesterday's press briefing
gave a positive assessment to the DPJ's decision to take an early
vote on the refueling bill, saying: "We expect that an additional
supplementary budget will be the next bill. Such a development
should be welcomed." He also emphasized the significance of the
continuation of the refueling mission by referring to it as one of
Japan's showcase contributions to the international community.
The government has defined the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean
and the airlift operation in Iraq as pillars of Japan's
contributions to the U.S.-led war on terror. The government,
however, plans to withdraw before the end of the year the Air
Self-Defense Force that has been engaged in the airlift mission, so
continuing the refueling mission is the least Japan can do,
according to Foreign Minister Nakasone.
Regardless of which candidate, Republican or Democratic, wins the
presidential election next month, the United States is certain to
shift its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan in the war on terror. There
has been strong concern in the government, with a senior Foreign
Ministry official saying: "Many countries have sent additional
troops to Afghanistan. If Japan fails to extend the refueling
mission, Japan's relations with a new U.S. administration would be
less than desirable."
A high-ranking government official also noted: "If we end the ocean
refueling mission, we would encounter a higher hurdle: a request for
the dispatch of the SDF to mainland Afghanistan."
The U.S. side has recently strongly called Japanese government
officials and ruling party executives for the enactment of the
legislation. The continuation of the refueling mission, along with
economic stimulus measures, is paramount for Prime Minister Aso, who
has given top priority in his foreign policy agenda to strengthening
the Japan-U.S. alliance. In fact, in his Sept. 25 UN General
Assembly speech, the prime minister declared: "Japan will continue
to participate proactively in the war on terror."
Under the divided Diet, the continuation of the refueling mission
has been a weighty challenge to successive administrations. Former
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation from office
three days after indicating that he would stake his job on the
extension of the refueling mission. His successor, Yasuo Fukuda,
managed to enact the refueling assistance special measures law by
using a two-third House of Representatives override vote, after
extending the extraordinary Diet session twice.
But even after extending the refueling mission, the government is
likely to remain under pressure for additional contributions. A U.S.
Defense Department official, who visited Japan in July as the U.S.
presidential envoy, asked Japanese government officials for
assistance in addition to the refueling operation. Included in the
request seemed to be additional funds for strengthening the
Afghanistan national army.
A Foreign Ministry official said: "International expectations for
Japan will not drop. The United States, too, pins high hopes on
Japan."
TOKYO 00002813 006 OF 011
8) Bill to extend refueling mission likely to pass Diet this month,
but problems are left
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
October 9, 2008
With the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) decision yesterday to
approve a quick taking of a vote on a bill amending the New
Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, prospects are now in sight for
Japan to be able to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean beyond its expiration in
January. But the U.S. has unofficially asked Japan to pay up to 20
billion dollars (about 2 trillion yen) as part of Afghan war costs.
The nation's cooperation in the war on terror has brought with it
many challenges to face.
With the refueling bill likely to pass the Diet by the end of this
month, government officials are relieved at the development. One
official said: "We can probably manage to avoid a worst-case
scenario." The rationalization for the bill will be explained in a
meeting of the House of Representatives Antiterrorism Special
Committee tomorrow, and deliberations will start after the
supplementary budget bill clears the Diet.
Japan has decided to withdraw Self-Defense Force troops from Iraq
later this year. Given this, the refueling service in the Indian
Ocean will be Japan's sole "visible contribution" to the war on
terror, in which the international community is taking part. A
senior Foreign Ministry official voiced concern that a suspension of
the refueling operation would not only throw ice on the Japan-U.S.
relationship but lower Japan's status in the international
community.
The refueling mission, though, is just the beginning of Japan's
cooperation in the war on terror. Excluding Japan and Russia, the
other Group of Eight (G-8) member countries have dispatched troops
for operations on the ground of Afghanistan. Under the worsening
security situation in the nation, victims and war costs have been
increasing.
Under such circumstances, the U.S. has unofficially asked Japan to
pick up a portion of Afghan war costs. U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense Bobby Wilkes, when he visited Japan in late
July, expressed hopes for Japan's payment of up to 20 billion
dollars as part of war expenses over five years, if it is difficult
to send SDF troops to Afghanistan. It is likely that the Aso cabinet
will be sought to offer more than just the refueling service.
9) Interfax: ASDF chased Russian bombers over Sea of Japan
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
October 9, 2008
Toshikazu Seguchi, Moscow
The Interfax reported on Oct. 8 on a Russian Air Force official's
account that two Russian strategic bombers had been chased by Japan
Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighters twice while on a training
flight over the Sea of Japan and that two Sukhoi-27 fighters
scrambled to defend the bombers. The Russian military claimed that
the bombers in question were flying over the high seas and that they
did not violate Japan's territorial airspace.
TOKYO 00002813 007 OF 011
The chases occurred between 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Japan time.
According to the report, two Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers from a
Russian coastal area were chased by two ASDF F-15 fighters from
Hokkaido's Chitose Base for about 30 minutes. Later, they were also
chased for four minutes by two different F-15s from the Hyakuri Base
in Ibaraki Prefecture.
10) Tokyo Foundation calls for Japan to possess second-strike
capability in dealing with ballistic missile attacks
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
October 9, 2008
The Tokyo Foundation, a policy study institute, released a report
calling on Japan to possess a second-strike capability against enemy
bases in order to retaliate against ballistic missile attacks and to
change the government's interpretation of the Constitution regarding
the right to collective self-defense. The report "A New Japanese
Security Strategy," which was produced under the lead of Tokyo
University professors Akihiko Tanaka and Shinichi Kitaoka, will soon
be posted on its website.
Defining the possession of capabilities to counter a ballistic
missile attack as one of the priority agenda items for Japanese
security, the report specifies that Japan and the U.S. should
possess a second-strike capability against enemy bases. The report
points out the need to convince the opponent of its capability to
take retaliation measures against a first strike threat. To this
end, the report suggests Japan should take these specific measures:
(1) improve the missile defense (MD) system; (2) introduce the
Tomahawk Land Attack Missile; and (3) have fighters that possess
attack capabilities.
11) Japan reserves judgment on U.S.-N. Korea deal
SANKEI (Page 4) (Abridged)
October 9, 2008
Sung Kim, U.S. envoy for the six-party talks over North Korea's
nuclear programs, called at the Foreign Ministry yesterday to meet
with Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka
Saiki, Japan's chief delegate to the six-party talks. In the
meeting, Kim gave detailed explanations about the basic agreement
that was reached between the United States and North Korea during
his Oct. 1-3 visit to North Korea with Assistant Secretary of State
Hill, chief U.S. delegate to the six-party talks, on specifics about
the agreement, including how to verify North Korea's nuclear
facilities. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer was also present at
the meeting.
Meanwhile, North Korea recently threatened to resume its Yongbyon
nuclear facilities' operation. In response to that move, the United
States has given North Korea such concessions as the need to acquire
North Korea's concurrence when inspecting its nuclear facilities.
Kim is believed to have explained this agreement. The United States
has so far demanded spot inspections over North Korea's declaration
of its nuclear programs.
The basic agreement between the United States and North Korea, if
approved by the four other members of the six-party talks, will
become formal. However, a senior official of the Foreign Ministry
TOKYO 00002813 008 OF 011
says yesterday evening: "We just heard about this today, so we
cannot say right away that we agree. This is the stage where we just
want to say 'let us consider it for a while,' and (nuclear) experts
also need to check it."
12) N. Korea delisting an established policy: Japan after being
briefed by U.S. envoy
ASAHI (Page 9) (Full)
October 9, 2008
Sung Kim, U.S. envoy for the six-party talks on North Korea's
nuclear programs, called at the Foreign Ministry yesterday to brief
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki and
other officials on U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill's meeting
with his North Korean counterparts during his visit to North Korea
last week. In response to the briefing, a Japanese government source
connected to the six-party talks said the United States' delisting
of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism is "an established
course of action" and "it cannot be helped."
Hill appears to have concurred during his visit to North Korea that
the United States would delist North Korea as a state sponsor of
terrorism if North Korea comes up with a plan to verify its Yongbyon
nuclear facilities and other relevant facilities. In addition, the
United States seems to have forgone verifying uranium enrichment
activities and nuclear proliferation to other countries.
"It's close enough," a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said
after the meeting. The official added, "Japan won't end up pouring
water on what the United States has worked so hard to do."
"In time, they will have to verify uranium enrichment and nuclear
proliferation, even if there are delays, but this must be confirmed
in written form, or we cannot accept it." So saying, a Japanese
government source for the six-party talks explained Japan's
position. Japan is concerned that the United States, with the
current administration at its last stage, may make "easygoing
concessions," according to the source. In the meeting yesterday,
Japanese government officials therefore avoided giving a ready
answer to Kim. Instead, Saiki told Kim that the Japanese government
would convey its judgment to the U.S. government after experts have
analyzed Kim's brief on the agreed plan. However, the Japanese
government will likely accept it, with its officials seeing no major
problem. If other six-party members also accept the agreement
reached between the United States and North Korea, the six-party
talks could be resumed.
13) Japan basically supports U.S., N. Korea agreement on framework
for nuke verification
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
October 9, 2008
The United States and North Korea have concurred on a framework for
nuclear verification over North Korea's nuclear programs, Sung Kim,
the U.S. envoy for the six-party talks, revealed in his meeting
yesterday evening with the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian
Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki.
Kim visited North Korea for three days from Oct. 1 with Assistant
Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Hill. In North
TOKYO 00002813 009 OF 011
Korea, they met with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan and other
North Korean counterparts to work out a plan for specific procedures
to verify North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs.
According to a senior Foreign Ministry official, the agreed plan
does include any wording for the United States to delist North Korea
as a state sponsor of terrorism. "The plan sounds good," the
official said.
"We appreciate the efforts you've made to move the six-party talks
forward," Saiki told Kim in the meeting, indicating that the
Japanese government will basically support the framework plan.
14) Aso to attend Beijing ASEM summit on Oct. 24-25 to discuss
global financial crisis
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
October 9, 2008
Prime Minister Aso has decided to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting
(ASEM) Summit in Beijing on Oct. 24-25, in which the U.S.-triggered
financial crisis will be high on the agenda. Aso is expected to
discuss remedial measures with the leaders of Asian and European
countries, with the aim of easing anxiety in the domestic market.
Coordination is also underway to set his first meetings with Chinese
leaders.
Aso has a strong sense of alarm about the current economic
situation, calling it "as serious as (the Great Depression in)
1929." He intends to seek ways to cooperate with China, which is
becoming more influential in financial markets, in dealing with the
crisis.
When global stock markets are tumbling, the government may propose
to set up a new forum to discuss financial issues, setting aside
from the ASEM framework, as Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura said:
"How should Japan cooperate with Asia? Japan as an economic power
must play a central part."
Arrangements are being made for Aso to hold meetings with President
Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. He is also expected to attend the
ceremony in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the conclusion
of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China.
Taking into consideration the widespread impression of him as
hawkish, Aso is willing to underscore his willingness to take joint
steps with China, South Korea, and other Asian countries.
With the decision on the prime minister's China visit, the
government will find the most appropriate timing for House of
Representatives dissolution while taking into consideration the
economic situation and other factors after his return to Japan.
15) Extra budget clears Lower House; Lower House election after Nov.
16?
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
October 9, 2008
A supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 worth 1.8081 trillion yen to
finance the government-drafted emergency economic package was
approved last evening in a plenary session of the House of
Representatives by a majority of lawmakers from the ruling parties,
the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), and others. The
TOKYO 00002813 010 OF 011
extra budget bill was then sent to the House of Councillors. Since
the DPJ intends to approve the bill in the Upper House, as well, the
legislation is expected to clear the Diet next week. With the
outlook that a bill extending Japan's refueling mission in the
Indian Ocean beyond next January will be enacted before the end of
October, the prevailing view is that a Lower House election will be
held after Nov. 16.
Prime Minister Taro Aso last night expressed strong desire for
passage of the refueling bill, telling reporters at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence: "There is no option for Japan to
withdraw from Afghanistan, abandoning the war on terror."
The ruling coalition and the DPJ yesterday agreed to launch
deliberations on the bill after enacting the extra budget next week.
Therefore, the legislation will likely clear the Diet late next
month. Since prospects for the two important bills are in sight, Aso
will launch full-fledged coordination on a timetable for Lower House
dissolution and a snap election. The worsening of the
U.S.-originated financial crisis may affect the timing of Lower
House election.
Aso plans to draw up an additional economic stimulus package to
expand domestic demand after the extra budget clear the Diet. If he
wants to have a second extra budget passed during the ongoing Diet
session, the Lower House election will be pushed back to the end of
the year. However, no sign of an agreement is yet in sight because
the New Komeito, the coalition partner of the ruling Liberal
Democratic Party, has called for an early Lower House election.
16) LDP, DPJ trading positions, with LDP cautious about Diet
dissolution, unhurried about vote-taking, and DPJ critical about
extending deliberations
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpt)
October 9, 2008
The Indian Ocean refueling operations that had been considered
difficult to continue suddenly are looking like becoming a real
possibility. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in order to speed
up dissolution of the Lower House has agreed to an early vote on a
bill amending the new refueling law. On the other hand, the Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP), which has grown increasingly cautious about
an early dissolution, has been calling for full deliberations on the
bill. An unusual development has occurred in which the positions of
the ruling and opposition camps, including their intentions about
Diet dissolution, have been reversed.
17) Ozawa, desperate to put cap on bad-health rumor, attends Diet
wearing mask and muffler
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
October 9, 2008
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa, who has been
hospitalized after developing complications from a cold, attended
last evening's plenary session of the House of Representatives. The
DPJ is desperately trying to cap the rumor that Ozawa is in bad
health.
At the plenary hall, Ozawa chatted pleasantly as usual with Deputy
President Naoto Kan and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, who both
TOKYO 00002813 011 OF 011
sat next to him.
After the plenary session, however, Ozawa entered the party's
executive office, wearing a mask and muffler.
Ozawa caught a cold from fatigue from his tight schedule, including
his nationwide political tour in September. His voice is hoarse. He
entered hospital on the evening of Oct. 6, but he then attended a
meeting on the evening of the 7th, leaving the hospital. He is
scheduled to be hospitalized for a couple of days to continue to be
put on an IV drip.
He cancelled press conferences and other events because he fell sick
on voting day of last year's House of Councillors election. Feeling
symptoms of angina, he was admitted to a hospital for ten days after
being reelected as president of the LDP at a party convention in
September 2006.
The lingering rumor that he is in bad health is a negative factor
for a prime ministerial candidate. DPJ Diet Affairs Committee
members had asked him to attend the Lower House plenary session
yesterday. Ozawa's aide stressed that he had checked in to a
hospital for a rest, saying: "He is taking a rest at hospital as
usual. It's good for him to take a rest before the upcoming Lower
House election."
SCHIEFFER