Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 10/27/08

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WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
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DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.

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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA

SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 10/27/08

INDEX:

(1) Discontent simmering in prefectural police; SOFA barrier emerges
again (Okinawa Times)

(2) Is Okinawa America's colony? Local residents angry with U.S.
military's response following the crash of light aircraft (Ryukyu
Shimpo)

(3) Prime Minister Aso aims to eradicate image of being hawk (Asahi)

(4) Japan should designate North Korea as terrorist state (Sankei)

(5) Sakhalin-2 Project: Exports of LNG to Japan likely to begin
early next year (Nikkei)

(6) TOP HEADLINES

(7) EDITORIALS

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, Oct. 24 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Discontent simmering in prefectural police; SOFA barrier emerges
again

OKINAWA TIMES (Page 24) (Full)
October 26, 2008

Another case has emerged in which the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA) is serving as a barrier. Now that the U.S. military
took back (to its base) on Oct. 25 the fuselage of the crashed
Cessna belonging to the U.S. military, discontent is simmering among
(Okinawa Prefectural Police) investigative officers. An expert also
descried it as a symbolic event of paradoxes in foreign military
forces in Japan.

"Seizure was necessary to determine the cause and secure evidence.
It was just regrettable."

Immediately after the accident occurred, the prefectural police
obtained warrants necessary for searches and seizure. Because the
accident occurred outside official duties, some police officials had
expected that investigations would go relatively smoothly. But their
expectations dashed as the U.S. military did not give its
concurrence.

Owned by the U.S. military and used by an association of aviation
lovers affiliated with the U.S. military, the crashed aircraft was
not connected with any military secrets. Despite that, the U.S.
military rejected the prefectural police's request without citing
any clear reason. This can explain why there is discontent in the
prefectural police.

Although the prefectural police intend to ask for (the U.S.
military's approval) for future inspections, as necessary, what will
happen in the future is unknown. In the wake of a U.S. military
helicopter's crash in Okinawa International University in 2004, the
U.S. military took back the chopper and did not effectively allow
the prefectural police to conduct inspections. There was a case in

TOKYO 00002997 002 OF 012

the 1970s in which the U.S. military secretly took back the engine
of the aircraft that had crashed outside Okinawa, a piece of
evidence, to the U.S. mainland.

An expert criticize the refusal as a symbolic event of paradoxes of
U.S. forces in Japan

Lawyer Yutaka Kato, who is well versed in the Japan-U.S. Status of
Forces Agreement, said, "Because the U.S. military possesses the
Cessna, the right rests with the U.S. military under the pact." At
the same time, he criticized the U.S. military, saying: "U.S.
military assets include even recreational objects. This shows that
U.S. military privileges are granted based on clear policy intent.
It is the typical paradox of the stationing of foreign military
forces in Japan and allowing them to act freely."

Okinawa Heiwaiinkai (Peace Committee) Secretary General Yasuhiro
Okubo said: "In a situation where the perpetrator is not clearly
identified and compensation remains ambiguous, the residents would
suffer damage. The governments of Japan and the United States should
unveil all bilateral agreements, including 'secret deals' and take
their responsibility." Further, the Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center has
decided to stage a protest rally in front of Kadena Air Base on the
evening of Oct. 27.

(2) Is Okinawa America's colony? Local residents angry with U.S.
military's response following the crash of light aircraft

RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 27) (Full)
October 26, 2008

Nago

In the wake of the crash of a U.S. military light aircraft (on Oct.
24), the U.S. forces hurriedly dismantled the fuselage and removed
it from the crash site on Oct. 25. Although the prefectural police
sought to confiscate the aircraft to determine the cause of the
accident and the facts, the U.S. military rejected the request. As
was the case with the U.S. military helicopter that crashed into the
campus of Okinawa International University in August 2004, the U.S.
military took the lead in investigative procedures. A prefectural
police source expressed strong discontent, saying: "They may still
have the mentality of treating Okinawa as an American colony."
Meanwhile, the local residents who pressed the U.S. military for
access to the crash site were angry since they were kept out of the
loop.

Six hours into the on-site investigation that began shortly after
noon Oct. 25, the demolished aircraft was loaded onto a trailer by a
crane-like vehicle before the eyes of the residents of the Makiya
district, where the accident had occurred. The trailer left the site
shortly after 8:00 p.m. Without access to the crash sight, Makiya
residents were left out of the loop. Representatives and others were
angry, with one saying: "Why are the investigations proceeding under
the initiative of the U.S. military? Isn't this the same as the
Okinawa International University case?" While holding back their
anger, the residents watched the trailer drove away from the site.

The start of the on-site investigation, originally planned at 10:00
a.m., was delayed abut two hours because talks between the
prefectural police and the U.S. military experienced difficulties
over a difference in views on how to conduct the investigation. The

TOKYO 00002997 003 OF 012

on-site investigation by the prefectural police ended in about three
and a half hours. The police investigation was immediately followed
by the U.S. military's work. As seen in the initial work to cut the
wings, the procedures suggested that priority was given to
collecting the plane rather than investigating the aircraft.

The trailer to carry the fuselage arrived at the crash site at
around 4:30 p.m. Upon learning of the transport of the fuselage,
Makiya district representatives and others complained to Nago Police
Station officers from outside the police line, "This is not what we
heard." The Nago Police Station explained: "The investigation
continued up to the removal of the fuselage. There still remains the
collection of soil." Representatives who saw U.S. service members
and others calmly conducted work for the removal of the aircraft all
complained, with one saying, "Why do we have to be at the U.S.
military's beck and call?"

Kenji Kina, mayor of the Makiya district, made this comment about
the fact that he did not have access to the crash site: "We are
victims. We don't have access to the crash site, and we are very
angry. As the mayor of the district, I have accountability to the
district people. I'm worried since I won't be able to offer an
adequate explanation."

Nago military affairs special committee to meet tomorrow to discuss
U.S. military protest resolution

Nago

Following the crash of the U.S. military aircraft in the Makiya
district, Nago City, the Nago City Assembly decided on Oct. 25 to
hold a meeting of the military base affairs special committee
(chaired by Takehiro Toguchi) on Oct. 27. The committee is scheduled
to discuss at its special meeting the adoption of a protest
resolution against the U.S. military and a draft resolution.

MOD Local Cooperation Bureau chief conveys regret to USFJ commander

Defense Ministry Local Cooperation Bureau Director-General Motomi
Inoue expressed his regret to U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. Gen.
Edward Rice over the phone on Oct. 24, while calling for efforts to
prevent a recurrence and determine the cause of the accident.

Frustrated senior prefectural police officer says, "It's the same as
at the time of the Okinawa International University accident"

The U.S. military's rejection of the Okinawa Prefectural Police's
request for the confiscation of the crashed airplane drew an outcry
from some senior police officers. One officer said: "The accident
occurred in a civilian area, and we don't want to see the U.S.
military acts as it pleases. We expected the U.S. military's refusal
from the beginning. The U.S. military seems to have a mentality of
treating Okinawa as a colony, as was the days immediately after the
end of the war."

A prefectural investigation officer who had interviewed U.S. service
members on the night of Oct. 24, said frustratingly: "We asked where
they were stationed and their status, but they did not answer,
saying they were ordered by their (military) superiors not to reveal
them. It might follow the same path as the Okinawa International
University accident."

TOKYO 00002997 004 OF 012

Another senior prefectural police officer expressed his anger about
the fact that the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
stands in the way of their investigation, saying: "In investigating
an accident, Japanese and foreigners must be treated equally.
Charges must be filed based on evidence. But under the law (SOFA)
such is not possible without the concurrence of the U.S. military."

Large part of fuselage visible during transport without maintenance
vehicles

The aircraft in question was transported by a 20-meter-long trailer
at around 8:15 p.m. Oct. 25 from the crash site in the Makiya
district, Nago City. It arrived at Kadena Air Base's No. 1 Gate at
around 9:40 p.m. via National Highway Route 58.

Because a large part of the fuselage was visible even thought it was
partially covered with a sheet of cloth, it drew much attention of
other drivers who looked anxious. Accompanied by no maintenance
vehicles, the trailer carrying the fuselage drove along National
Highway Route 58 at a speed of 60-70 kilometers an hour, causing no
congestion.

(3) Prime Minister Aso aims to eradicate image of being hawk

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
October 25, 2008

Prime Minister Taro Aso's meetings with the top leaders of China and
South Korea -- his debut on the international scene -- were carried
out in a friendly atmosphere. Aso has now laid the groundwork for
his diplomacy of seeking practical results, wiping off his image of
being a hawk politically. However, there still remain such issues as
the gap in historical views that need to be resolved between Japan
and China and between Japan and South Korea.

Mutual benefit by competition

Aso delivered a speech on Oct. 24 in a ceremony for the 30th
anniversary of the signing of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship
Treaty. In it, he stressed the need for strengthening friendly ties
between Japan and China, saying: "Competing while cooperating is a
true strategic, mutual-benefiting relationship." A government
official attended the ceremony gave a sigh of relief, saying:
"Although there was a risk, he made a positive challenge. His speech
was a hot topic of political conversations there and it is now
highly regarded."

Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is a pro-Chinese politician. Aso,
however, has had an image of being a hawk. The notion of building
"the arc of freedom and prosperity, which Aso advocated when he was
foreign minister in the Abe cabinet, is a strategy of strengthening
cooperation with countries from Southeast Asia to Eastern Europe. It
was taken as a strategy of creating a net encircling Russia and
China. Aso's idea provoked neighboring countries to anger. Aso's
aide said: "Contrary to his real intent, it was taken as having an
ideological side." Aso therefore has made efforts to sweep away such
an image by putting an end to his call for an arc of freedom and
prosperity in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly and
in this policy speech.

In his speech at the 30th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and
Friendship Treaty, Aso aimed to win China's trust by talking in his

TOKYO 00002997 005 OF 012

own words about Japan-China relations, while taking over the
strategic reciprocal-relationship policy advocated by the Abe and
Fukuda governments. The key words were "common benefits,"
"competition," and "potential." Aso appears to be building diplomacy
toward China, while frankly speaking with China. Aso is trying to
build relations with China under which both Tokyo and Beijing can
talk about their real intentions so that he will be able to play up
his diplomatic skills to the Japanese public.

In his meeting the South Korean president, Aso conveyed his view to
President Lee Myung Bak that he would take over a policy of moving
forward with a mature partnership. While economic globalization is
going on, relationships between Japan and China and between Japan
and South Korea have become closer. A senior official said: "In
consideration of Japan's present position, no Japanese prime
minister can change the nation's foreign policy very much.

China, South Korea expect Japan will continue to improve ties with
them

Chinese President Hu Jintao said: "China and Japan are standing at a
starting point for new history of bilateral relations." Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao said: "I believe that Prime Minister Taro Aso
will promote China-Japan relations." The two Chinese leaders, who
met with Aso at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, were
liberal in their praise.

The Chinese government endeavored to lay the groundwork for Aso's
visit to Beijing. According to Chinese sources, China informed Japan
from early on of its decision to support Tokyo's bid for a
non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, resulting in Japan's
overwhelming victory in the competition with Iran.

However, China is still concerned about the weak political base of
the Aso administration. A source connected with the Chinese
Communist Party said: "In the China-Japan summit, which was held
under the unstable Japanese political situation, what the two
leaders could only do was to confirm the principles of bilateral
ties."

The summit between Aso and Lee was held in a friendly atmosphere.
The South Korea Blue House said that the two top leaders had
continued the talks beyond the expected time, while revealing
President Lee's remarks: "Although ROK-Japan relations once came to
a halt, they have never retreated. I hope they will not falter in
the future as well."

The word falter refers to the Takeshima/Dokdo islets, which were
described in the Japanese education ministry's explanatory manuals
of new curriculum guidelines for junior high schools when Prime
Minister Fukuda was in office. The Lee administration was shocked
since it had advocated a future-oriented relationship with Japan.

A senior South Korean Blue House official said: "No such delicate
issues as one on history were mentioned" in the Aso-Lee meeting.
However, the Japanese government will discuss later this year
whether to describe the Takeshima/Dokdo islets in new educational
guidelines for high schools. Therefore, the South Korean government
strongly suspects that bilateral ties between Tokyo and Seoul may be
strained again even if they are repaired.

(4) Japan should designate North Korea as terrorist state

TOKYO 00002997 006 OF 012

SANKEI (Page 15) (Slightly abridged)
October 25, 2008

By Hiroshi Yuasa, correspondent in Tokyo

Hill made the remark

In response to North Korea's "blackmail" that it would halt the
process of disabling its nuclear facility, U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State Christopher Hill gave in and decided to remove the North
from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

He has forgotten the words by President Ronald Reagan: "Trust, but
verify." What is worse, the Bush administration, which was critical
of the Clinton administration for its reconciliatory stance toward
North Korea, has now rejected its own policy toward the North.

Since (the U.S.) in its policy toward North Korea has made light of
Japan's wishes, Japan must now apply additional sanctions on the
DPRK. This view was expressed in a front page article in the Sankei
Shimbun on Oct. 13. In it, Fuji Kamiya, an professor emeritus at
Keio University, suggested that Japan should designate North Korea
as a terrorist state, because abducting is indisputably a terrorist
act. This argument is quite reasonable, and I am willing to go along
with his argument.

There are few who remember that Assistant Secretary Hill had
referred to the idea of Japan designating North Korea as a terrorist
nation. Probably around this spring, Hill cynically said when asked
by reporters whether the U.S. was planning to delist North Korea:
"Our moves are line with the U.S. national interests. Japan should
independently designate the North."

I do not intend to use his words in an underhanded way, but Japan
should not hesitate to designate North Korea as a terrorist state.
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Deputy Secretary General Akihisa
Nagashima, a national security expert, made this reassuring remark
in the Yomiuri Shimbun dated Oct. 21: "We should show to the
international community our position of not letting this issue be
moved off the table, for instance, by taking such measures as
designating North Korea as a terrorist state."

The Liberal Democratic Party, the DPJ, and the New Komeito revised
the North Korean Human Rights Law in June of last year to add this
provision: "The government must properly work on multilateral
development banks to take steps that would contribute to resolving
the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea." If it
takes time to enact new legislation to designate North Korea as a
terrorist state, Japan will be able to use this provision that would
bring about the same effect.

Mobilize all laws

Although this is an irresponsible statement, may I suggest how about
designating the regime of Kim Jong Il as a crime syndicate by using
the Anti-mobster Law and then issuing an order to eliminate that
regime? Applying domestic law is not a wild argument at all in the
U.S.

The U.S military detained Manuel Noriega and convicted of him under
the federal charge of narcotic trafficking. When a Central

TOKYO 00002997 007 OF 012

Intelligence Agency (CIA) member was killed by a Pakistani, Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) members pursued the murderer who had
fled to Pakistan, and brought him to the U.S. A ruling was handed
down there.

The U.S. is quite a stouthearted nation. Japan, though it does not
have such undaunted courage to that extent, should be determined to
slap sanctions against the North and prepare a strategy to that
end.

Washington's removal of North Korea from its terror blacklist leads
to enabling the North to receive financial aid from international
financial institutions and to start monetary transactions with the
U.S. This means the U.S. sanctions against North Korea will end.
There is no other way but for Japan, which is saddled with the
abduction issue, to call on international financial institutions to
refrain from offering aid to the North.

Japan is the second largest contributor to the World Bank and is the
largest contributor to the Asian Development Bank. There is an
option of taking the top post in the World Bank from the U.S. by
injecting significantly more capital in the bank. In this case,
Japan will be able to demand the presidency of the World Bank now
held by the U.S., as its right to speak will increase in the bank.

In the 1990s, Japan gave up the top post just before it was about to
outpace the U.S. in terms of contributions in the 9th capital
increase of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The change of top
contributors means that the U.S.-led postwar regime will encounter a
challenge. (The U.S.) in a flurry came to ask then Finance Minister
Kiichi Miyazawa to cancel the capital investment.

North Korea might find it easier to ask the Asian Development Bank
to finance it. The top post in the Asian bank is now held by
Haruhiko Kuroda, a former Finance Ministry official, and China
reportedly is watching eagerly to get a chance to grab the post. To
prevent its scheme from being implemented, it is conceivable for
Japan to increase capital or change its members to form a powerful
lineup. These measures, in addition to economic sanctions, are
expected to work effectively to apply pressure to the North.

U.S. government also divided

Views in the U.S. government were also split over whether to remove
North Korea from its blacklist. Some of those who were close to Hill
have begun to leave.

The condition for delisting a nation under the Antiterrorism Law is
that the nation should promise not to support international
terrorism and acts of terrorism in the future as a result of
fundamental changes in the leadership and policies. North Korea has
yet to fulfill this condition.

Did Washington make the concession, reflecting the current
administration's irritation in its last days, or in an attempt to
keep the North in negotiations until the inauguration of the next
administration? That is why the U.S. is alarmed at a mounting mood
against it or the emergence of an argument in Japan calling for
Japan to go nuclear. The Japanese government should repeatedly call
on the U.S. government to withdraw the delisting decision as the
need arises.

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(5) Sakhalin-2 Project: Exports of LNG to Japan likely to begin
early next year

NIKKEI (Page 6) (Full)
October 27, 2008

The Sakhalin-2 project for the development of resources off
Sakhalin, Russia, has at long last entered the final phase in the
run-up to full operations after all sorts of troubles and
difficulties. The construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG)
manufacturing plant and pipelines has almost been completed. While
there is concern about the future of the Sakhalin-1 project due to a
fall in crude oil prices and the financial crisis, exports of LNG to
Japan in the Sakhalin-2 project, into which Japan has poured funds
and technologies, will begin as early as next January or February.

There is a cluster of brand-new plants facing the Aniva Bay, about
one-hour drive from Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, a central city on the
Sakhalin Island. This is the port for the shipment of LNG and crude
oil produced in the Sakhalin-2 Project located in Prigorodnoye.

Ian Craig, president of Sakhalin Energy, a consortium to develop
Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project, pointed out, "The project has
entered the commercialization stage." He said, "I cannot say
definitely, but I hope to start exporting LNG as early as early next
year."

Crude oil and natural gas mined in epicontinental mining areas in
the northern part of the island will be transported to the shipment
port in Prigorodnoye via pipelines. Natural gas will be liquefied
there and shipped by special vessels. Japan's technologies were used
in the project -- the construction of the LNG plants by Chiyoda
Corporation and Toyo Engineering and the building of LNG ships -- by
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The output of LNG is about 9.6 million tons a year. Approximately 60
PERCENT of the total output is bound for Japan. TEPCO, Kyushu
Electric Power Co. and Tokyo Gas have signed long-term contracts.
Japan is expected to depend on the Sakhalin-2 project for about 8
PERCENT of its gas demand. The sales of crude oil, whose production
started in 1999, are mainly Japan-bound. The completion of the
Sakhalin-2 project will likely help Japan put an end to its
dependence on the Middle East in terms of the procurement of
energy.

The commercialization of the project was realized after many twists
and turns. The project cost has doubled from the original estimate.
Russia at one stage cancelled the authorization of the construction
work, using environmental destruction as justification. The project
was at one time on the verge of disruption. At work behind the
complications was the Russian government's hard-line stance. It
increasingly strengthened the control of energy resources. In the
end, however, the problem was settled with Russia's Gazprom, a
natural gas monopoly, taking over a majority of interests in the
project.

President Craig said, "The participation of Gazprom was helpful for
the construction of pipelines." The financial standing of Gazprom
has deteriorated due to the current financial crisis. However, Japan
Finance Corporation (former Japan Bank for International
Cooperation) and a group of private banks have already decided to
extend loans for the Sakhalin-2 project. With facilities almost

TOKYO 00002997 009 OF 012

completed, the project will now enter a full fund-collection phase.
The outlook is that if crude oil prices stand at about 70 dollars
per barrel, it would be possible to collect the invested money by
around 2012.

The project has benefited the Province of Sakhalin. The Sakhalin
Governor Alexander Khoroshavin said, "The Sakhalin Resources
Development Project contributes to 75 PERCENT of the industrial
production in the Sakhalin Province." He expressed expectations for
Japan boosting investment, noting that the project has led to
improved income of residents and a decline in the unemployment
rate.

The Far East is lagging behind the European side of Russian in terms
of the development of the economy. It is a pressing issue for the
federal government to develop the economy of the Far East.

A plan to export natural gas to China in the Sakhalin-1 Project,
joined by Itochu Corporation and Marubeni Corporation, has been
under suspension due to pressure from the Russian government and
Gazprom. The future of the project is becoming increasingly unclear
due to the decline in crude oil prices and the financial crisis. It
seems difficult for more Japanese companies to join the project as
long as the Russian government changes rules, based on opportunism.

(6) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Prime Minister Aso seek to ease bank accounting rules to help
stabilize financial markets

Mainichi:
Three leading banks mulling capital increase of up to 1 trillion
yen: Stock plunges beginning to affect Japanese banks

Yomiuri: Nikkei: Sankei
Emergency economic market stabilization measures: Government eyeing
boosting capital injections into banks to 10 trillion yen

Tokyo Shimbun:
Government mulling dispatching GSDF personnel to Afghanistan to help
wounded soldiers: Complying with U.S. request could infringe on
Constitution

Akahata:
Preferential securities tax system: Ten rich persons with income
more than 10 billion yen receive tax cut worth 18.3 billion yen

(7) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Plunge in crude oil prices: Lessons learnt
(2) Academic studies: University should make best use of women's
ability

Mainichi:
(1) Cabinet Office Personnel Division should devise system that is
not a stopgap measure
(2) Financial crisis: Economy that can control market should be
built

TOKYO 00002997 010 OF 012

Yomiuri:
(1) Road map for tax system: Consumption tax is the only mid-term
fiscal resource
(2) Print Culture Day: Value encounter with books

Nikkei:
(1) Thoughts on freezing current value accounting system

Sankei:
(1) Japan-India summit: Cooperation with largest democratic country
(2) Book Week: Make children book-lovers

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) OPEC cuts back on oil production: Continue to make effort to
stop excessive dependence on oil
(2) Large city system covering :Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya urged to
make proposals as representative of provincial areas

Akahata:
(1) Credit crunch, forcible collecting of loans: Guidance strict to
major banks needed

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, Oct. 24

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
October 25, 2008

Morning
Held a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at a hotel.
Met Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at the
People's Great Hall in succession.

Noon
Attended a reception for the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of
the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China.

Afternoon
Responded to an interview with reporters from press companies at a
hotel. Met with German Chancellor Merkel at a hotel. Attended a
welcome ceremony of the ASEM summit at the People's Great Hall.
Posed for a photo.

Evening
Attended an opening ceremony. Briefly talked with Mongolian
President Enkhbayar.

Night
Attended a working dinner. Held an informal meeting with
accompanying reporters at a hotel. Stayed there.

Prime Minister's schedule, October 25 & 26

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

October 26, 2008

Oct. 25

Morning
Briefly talked with Austrian Prime Minister Gusenbauer at the Great
Hall of the People in Beijing. Attended the second round of the ASEM
summit. Met with Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani.

TOKYO 00002997 011 OF 012

Noon
Attended a working lunch.

Afternoon
Met Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi. Later, met French President
Sarkozy. Attended a closing ceremony. Responded to an interview with
correspondents from Japan and other countries. Met Japanese
nationals living in China at the Japanese Ambassador's Official
Residence. Left Beijing International airport by government plane.

23:45
Arrived at Haneda Airport.

Oct. 26

00:34
Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.

Prime Minister's schedule, Oct. 26& 27

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

October 27, 2008

Oct. 26

12:35
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.

15:39
Reported on his return home at the Imperial Palace.

16:02
Met Metropolitan Police Board's Criminal Investigation Chief
Funamoto, First Investigation Division Chief Tachinobe, and Station
Chief Katsuta at the Manseibashi Police Station.

16:31
Delivered a speech in front of JR Akihabara Station.

17:25
Held a talk show with cartoonists, Takao Saito and Kenshi Hirokane
at Akihabara UDX. Later, enjoyed a comic character exhibition, with
METI Minister Nikai and Hirokane.

18:24
Attended a joint meeting of nationwide LDP youth department heads,
youth section heads, and women's department heads at the Grand Arc
Hanzomon.

20:10
Dined with his secretaries at a Chinese restaurant in the Grand
Prince Hotel.

22:06
Met Finance Minister and Financial Services Minister Nakagawa, Vice
Finance Minister Sugimoto, Secretariat Director General Katsu, and
Financial Services Agency Director General Sato.

23:14
Arrived at a pub in the hotel with the secretaries.

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Oct. 27

00:30
Returned to his private residence.

SCHIEFFER

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