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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003251
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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 11/28/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Terrorism:
4) Japan to fully back India against terrorists (Yomiuri)
5) Japan to team up with Asian countries against terrorism (Nikkei)
Foreign aid:
6) Gov't plans to provide 700 million yen in aid to Congo
(Nikkei)
Defense & security issues:
7) DPJ's Maehara concurred with Obama staff that Futenma relocation
would be infeasible (Mainichi)
8) ASDF to be ordered today to pull out of Iraq (Mainichi)
Political agenda:
9) Another gaffe from Prime Minister Aso over doctor bills
(Mainichi)
10) LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito party, growing frustrated
with Prime Minister Aso (Yomiuri)
11) Ruling coalition to avoid confronting opposition bloc during
extended Diet session for MSDF, finance bills (Mainichi)
12) Japan eyes space activities for security, diplomacy (Yomiuri)
13) Diet expected to approve amendment to Nationality Law on Dec. 3
(Asahi)
14) Gov't to continue space rocket engine project (Yomiuri)
North Korea problem:
15) U.S., Japan mull another documentation for sampling from North
Korea's nuclear facilities (Yomiuri)
16) Japan to work on Obama administration (Nikkei)
Economic issues:
17) Gov't to cap Narita airport stakes at 20 PERCENT (Sankei)
Opinion poll:
18) Gov't poll shows 51 PERCENT concerned about public security
with more foreign tourists to Japan (Nikkei)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi: Mainichi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun:
No. of assailants in Mumbai attacks believed to top 20: 200 people
still trapped in occupied hotels; 30 taken hostage at one hotel
Nikkei:
Controls on farmland leasing to be listed, according to outline of
MAFF reform plan
Sankei:
Defense minister voices concern about purchases of land in Tsushima
City by Korean companies
Akahata:
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EU recommends consumption tax cut needed and cut in workers' income
tax
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Mumbai attacks: Terror hits emerging country
(2) Fiscal deficit: Political determination to settle issue under
new goal urged
Mainichi:
(1) Prime minister's gaffe hurts patients
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Pursue links among India, Pakistan
and Afghanistan
Yomiuri:
(1) Use basic space program for strategic diplomacy
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Key economic city made target
Nikkei:
(1) Terrorist attacks on India's commercial city reminiscent of
9/11
(2) Confusion in Thailand marring its national interests
Sankei:
(1) Lay judge system: More efforts needed to wipe away anxieties
(2) Terrorist attacks in India: Eradicate terrorism with unity of
international community
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Terrorist attacks in India: Cooperation between India and
Pakistan indispensable
(2) Lay judge system: Effort to ease anxieties needed
Akahata:
(1) Achievement test in Osaka: Governor's abnormal attitude will
arouse spirit of competition
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule Nov. 26
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
Nov. 27, 2008
08:48
Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike at the Kantei.
09:28
Met LDP special panel to strengthen diplomatic capabilities chairman
Yoshiro Mori and executive secretary Motegi.
10:01
Attended an Upper House plenary session.
12:18
Attended a national convention of town and village heads at the NHK
Hall.
14:02
Met at the Kantei with LDP Agriculture and Forestry Division head
Miyakoshi, Forestry Policy Research Commission Chairman Iwanaga,
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national federation to promote creating a forest environment tax
chairman Iwata and others.
15:03
Attended a meeting of the central council to promote measures for
the disable. Met members of the Central Union of Agricultural
Cooperatives.
16:00
Met Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Ogawa.
17:02
Met Middle East Cooperation Center Chairman Jiro Nemoto. Followed by
chief Takagi of Hoshino Village in Fukuoka Prefecture, with Election
Strategy Council Chairman Koga.
18:39
Met members of the New Japan-China Friendship 21st Century
Committee, including Fuji Xerox Supreme Advisor Yotaro Kobayashi,
chairman of the Japanese group.
19:59
Dined at a Chinese restaurant in the Hotel Okura with Tanigaki,
chairman of the LDP project team on freeing up road revenues, Policy
Research Council Chairman Hori, and Deputy Chairman Sonoda.
22:47
Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 28, 2008
07:39
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
10:01
Met at the Kantei with Secretary General Hosoda and Diet Affairs
Committee Chairman Oshima, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura.
10:49
Met Kawamura, joined by New Komeito President Ota and Secretary
General Kitagawa. Kitagawa stayed behind.
11:39
Met Kitakyushu Social Welfare Council Chairman Haga and others, with
Konoike present.
12:12
Met Internal Affairs and Communications Hatoyama.
12:53
Attended a national convention of the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry at the NHK Hall.
13:56
Met LDP Tax System Research Commission Chairman Tsushima at the
Kantei.
14:30
Attended a special executive meeting in the Diet Building. Later,
met Secretary General Hosoda, Executive Council Chairman Sasagawa,
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Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, and others.
15:00
Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka at the Kantei. Met Japan Dental
Federation Chairman Nagayama and others, with Lower House member
Takashi Mitsubayashi, Upper House member Masakazu Sekiguchi, and
others.
15:45
Met Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau Director General
Takamizawa, Defense Intelligence Headquarters chief Shimohira, and
Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. Mitani stayed behind.
16:31
Met incoming and outgoing chief judge of the Supreme Court Takesaki
and Shimada.
16:47
Met Tokyo Governor Ishihara, with Konoike.
17:10
Met LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, New Komeito Policy
Research Council Chairman Yamaguchi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary
Kawamura. Hori and Yamaguchi stayed behind. Followed by Economic and
Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano.
18:20
Met Lower House members Koki Chuma and Takeshi Iwaya, Upper House
member Katsuhito Asano, and assistant Yamaguchi.
18:58
Met Sasagawa, Hori and other members of the LDP Executive Liaison
Council. Joined by Hosoda and Election Strategy Council Chairman
Koga.
20:37
Met his secretaries at the Imperial Hotel
23:57
Returned to his private rsidence.
4) Terrorist attacks in India: Government fully supports India;
Determined to do its utmost to secure safety of Japanese nationals
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
November 28, 2008
The government on November 27 stressed its stance of cooperating
with the Indian government on measures against terrorism,
criticizing the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India,
that claimed a large number of victims, including a Japanese
businessman. It also intends to do its utmost to secure the safety
of Japanese nationals and tourists throughout the world, with one
senior Foreign Ministry official noting that the world is becoming
instable.
Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Taro Aso on the evening
of November 27 told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office
(Kantei), "This is apparently terrorism. We must fight terrorism in
a determined manner. Japan will extend full assistance to the Indian
government, which is fighting terrorism head on.
TOKYO 00003251 005 OF 010
5) Japan to strengthen cooperation with other Asian countries to
prevent terrorism
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 28, 2008
In reaction to the terrorist attacks in India on Nov. 27, the
government will quickly boost cooperation with other countries in
Asia to prevent large-scale terrorism. Prime Minister Taro Aso
announced yesterday that the government will fully support the
antiterrorism measures taken by the Indian government. Japan has
been assisting developing countries in enhancing their capabilities
to cope with terrorist acts by disbursing its official development
assistance (ODA) funds. Japan is likely to be required to beef up
this kind of aid in the future.
Aso told reporters at his official residence last night:
"The attacks were apparently acts of terrorism. I think we must
stand against them.... We would like to offer full assistance for
the Indian people and government, who are fighting terrorism."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura also said in a press
conference: "We will continue to cooperate with the Indian
government in facing terrorism."
The government intends to take the following measures on a priority
basis: (1) to strengthen the immigration-control system to prevent
terrorists from coming into and going out of the nation; (2) to
improve the functions of security agents responsible for exposing
planned terrorist acts; and (3) to tighten the system of keeping
tabs on money laundering by terrorist groups.
6) 700 million yen to be offered to Congo as humanitarian aid
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 28, 2008
The government yesterday decided to provide approximately 700
million yen in humanitarian aid, which includes the provision of
tents, as a measure to support refugees in Congo, where public
security has deteriorated due to the civil war. Coinciding with the
dispatch of Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Nobuhide
Minorikawa to Congo for four days from Dec. 1, the cabinet will make
a decision on the matter in a meeting today.
7) DPJ's Maehara: Obama team shares the view that Futenma relocation
plan is impossible
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
November 27, 2008
Takenori Noguchi
Democratic Party of Japan Vice President Seiji Maehara delivered a
speech on Nov. 26 in Tokyo. In the speech, Maehara indicated that
during his visit to the United States in June, he exchanged views
with President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy team on the
relocation of Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Camp
Schwab, and that they shared the view that realizing the plan was
impossible. Maehara also indicated that the plan should be
reconsidered on the occasion of the establishment of the new U.S.
TOKYO 00003251 006 OF 010
administration.
The governments of Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 to
return Futenma Air Station on the condition of its relocation to a
new site in Okinawa. The plan did not move forward due to the
anti-base movement and other factors, and the two governments
reached a new agreement on the Futenma base in 2005 to return the
base by linking it to a plan to move 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa
to Guam as part of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Maehara,
who was involved in the matter in 1996 as the now-defunct Sakigake
Party's policy officer, noted: "In order to build relations of trust
to carry out the promise, a different design must be drawn up by
putting the matter back to the drawing board. We share the same
awareness (with the United States)."
8) Defense minister to issue order today for withdrawal of ASDF from
Iraq
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly)
November 28, 2008
By Ryo Matsuo
The government is set to decide at its Security Council of Japan
meeting today to withdraw the Air Self-Defense Force, which has been
engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. Based
on the decision, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will issue an
order for the withdrawal. The deployment of Japan's Self-Defense
Forces of about five years will completely end, following the
pullout of the Ground Self-Defense Force from the southern Iraqi
city of Samawah in July 2006.
A UN resolution authorizing the stationing of the multinational
forces will expire at the end of this year. In addition, U.S.
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to shift the emphasis of
the war on terror from Iraq to Afghanistan. Given the situation, the
government decided in September to pull the ASDF out of Iraq.
Sending an advance team in late 2003, the ASDF's C-130 transport
planes began airlift operations in March 2004 between Kuwait and
Iraq. As of Nov. 26, the ASDF made a total of 810 flights to airlift
671.1 tons of supplies and personnel for the multinational forces
and the UN.
9) Prime minister makes another gaffe: "Why should I pay for medical
fees for those who are careless with their health?"
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
November 27, 2008
The minute book of a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal
Policy, held on November 20, was released on the 20th, disclosing
Prime Minister Aso's remark on constraining social security
expenses. He said, "Why should I pay for the medical costs of people
(patients) who become sick because they just keep on drinking and
eating and doing nothing?" The remark will likely draw fire, as it
can be taken as insinuating that patients are to be blamed for an
increase in medical costs for elderly people.
The prime minister said, "If you attend a class reunion at the age
of 67 or 68, you'd find some of your classmates who used to be fit
and healthy are now worn out and go to see the doctor frequently."
TOKYO 00003251 007 OF 010
He also said, "My medical costs are much lower than such people.
That is because I take a walk every day and do other things. I pay
more tax (than them)." Aso lastly said, "The government should
provide incentives to people who make efforts to keep in good
health."
10) New Komeito unhappy with premier
YOMIURI(Page 4) (Excerpts)
November 27, 2008
The New Komeito is increasingly dissatisfied with Prime Minister
Aso. That is because the prime minister failed to meet its request
for a Lower House dissolution at an early date. He is also causing
confusion because of his gaffes and controversial statements.
However, a sense of constriction is gripping the party with the only
option available now being to support him for the next Lower House
election.
Referring to a Lower House dissolution, Secretary General Kitagawa
at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on November
26 admitted, "The possibility of the government dissolving the Lower
House at the outset of the regular Diet session (to be convened in
January next year) is becoming slim." This is the first time for the
party to indicate such an outlook, because it has insisted that
there could be dissolution in the year-end and new-year period.
Kitagawa underscored, "There is no change in our stance of
contesting the next election with Prime Minister Aso."
11) Ruling coalition to pour all energy into enacting refueling and
financial bills, avoiding all-out confrontation in extended Diet
session
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 28, 2008
The government and the ruling camp officially decided yesterday to
extend the current Diet session for 25 days to Dec. 25 with the aim
of passing a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures
Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in
the Indian Ocean. The decision is expected to be approved at a
plenary session of the House of Representatives today by a majority
from the ruling parties.
The government and the ruling parties intend to devote themselves to
enacting the refueling bill and a bill amending the Law for
Strengthening Financial Functions to enable the government to pour
public funds into regional financial institutions, while refraining
as much as possible from deliberations on other bills.
12) Government's space outline allows use of space for security and
diplomatic purposes
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
November 28, 2008
A basic space plan, unveiled yesterday by the expert research
council of the government's Strategic Headquarters for Space
Development headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso, set forth a policy
direction to allow the government to use space for security and
diplomatic purposes from a perspective putting high priority on the
development of rockets and satellites. The government will launch
TOKYO 00003251 008 OF 010
concrete work for formulating a program next May.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura emphasized before the expert
research council yesterday the importance of defining the
development of space as a national strategy, saying: "It is
necessary to have a basic program that can help Japan demonstrate
its presence in the international community."
The basic space development program will be formulated based on the
basic space law enacted in May this year. The program will
incorporate a basic policy and measures for the next five years.
Referring to the use of space for defense purposes that has become
possible with the enactment of the basic space law, the outline
specifies that the government is to endeavor to strengthen and
improve the country's information-gathering capability. The
government thus showed its intention to set forth a certain
direction for the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) to be
revised at the end of 2009.
The research council is expected to consider in the future: (1)
reconnaissance satellites with a resolution higher than that of the
present information-gathering satellites; (2) early-warning
satellites to detect launches of missiles; and (3) high-capacity
high-speed communications satellites.
To what extent these elements will be reflected in the NDPG remains
unclear.
In addition to difficulty securing a budget for launching satellites
under the tight fiscal condition, there are a plethora of
challenges, such as the development of new technologies and
acquiring know-how.
The promotion of space diplomacy is another pillar of the outline.
Japan has provided climate satellite images to some 30 countries in
the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, some have pointed out
that such an approach was weaker as a national strategy in
comparison to China's diplomatic means of securing energy resources
by receiving orders for launching communications satellites from
such countries as Nigeria and Venezuela.
13) Nationality Law revision bill to clear Diet as early as Dec. 3
ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
November 28, 2008
Regarding a bill amending the Nationality Law, a vote on which has
been put on hold in the House of Councillors, the Upper House
Judicial Affairs Committee directors from the ruling and opposition
parties yesterday agreed on an additional resolution, which includes
such requirements that the submission of a report every six months
to the Diet. The additional resolution calls on the committee to
report the enforcement state of the revised law every six months, as
well as to consider whether the introduction of a DNA examination
system is needed or is appropriate.
As such, the expectation is that the revision bill and the
additional resolution will be adopted in the committee and an Upper
House plenary session as early as Dec. 3. However, cautious views
are simmering in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). In order to seek
understanding for the revision to the law, the DPJ intends to hold
TOKYO 00003251 009 OF 010
an explanatory session for its members early next week.
14) Expert panel recommends continuing development of engine for GX
rocket
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
November 28, 2008
In a meeting of its expert panel yesterday, the government's
Strategic Headquarters for Space Development released its report
noting that an engine powered by liquefied natural gas and used for
the planned GX rocket be completed at an early date to conduct a
combustion test next summer. The medium-sized GX-rocket is being
developed jointly by the public and private sectors. But the panel
put off a judgment on the propriety of continuing the development of
the GX rocket itself.
The central government is in charge of developing the engine.
However, technical problems have been left unresolved, and the
project has been up in the air.
15) Japan, U.S. considering separate document on sampling
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
November 28, 2008
Regarding Japan's request to put in writing a verification protocol
in connection with North Korea's nuclear declaration, which will be
high on the agenda in the next round of the six-party talks, the
governments of Japan and the United States are now studying a
compromise plan under which sampling of materials from North Korean
nuclear facilities will be referred to in an "attachment," which
will be different from the verification protocol, it was learned
yesterday. The two governments are also considering covering the
nuclear sampling issue in a "footnote." The move is aimed at giving
consideration to North Korea, which has strongly opposed the idea of
putting sampling into written form.
Chief negotiators to the six-party talks from Japan, the United
States and South Korea are expected to meet on Dec. 3 in Tokyo to
discuss response to the next round of the talks.
16) Government to urge U.S. President-elect Obama to understand
abduction issue
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 28, 2008
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura met yesterday with Governor
of Niigata Prefecture Hirohiko Izumida, chair of the Association of
Governors to Rescue Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea, at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence. In the meeting, Kawamura told
Izumida: "We will make efforts to urge U.S. President-elect Barack
Obama to understand the abduction issue."
17) Study group proposes restricting investment in airport operating
companies to 20 PERCENT
SANKEI (Page 8) (Full)
November 28, 2008
Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) intends to list its
TOKYO 00003251 010 OF 010
stocks. In this connection, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and
Transport (MLIT) on November 27 formally submitted to the Study
Group on Regulations on Airport Infrastructure (chaired by Chuo
University Law School Professor Seiichi Ochiai), the government's
expert council, a draft report that incorporates a proposal for
limiting an investor's stake to 20 PERCENT of the company.
The draft mentions that the government, which now wholly owns the
company's stocks, will sell those stocks in stages and eventually
hold a one-third stake for the foreseeable future. It also points
out the need to introduce a shareholding restriction without
discriminating between domestic and foreign companies. The draft
proposes 20 PERCENT and 33 PERCENT as the upper limits of a stake
in the company by one shareholder, but notes that the limit should
be set at 20 PERCENT to prevent any single shareholder from having
excessive influence. As the ratio of government-held shares as a
result of gradual privatization, the draft proposes 50 PERCENT or
one-third and recommends the one-third plan so as to allow the
company to display its independence as much as possible.
The panel will finalize the report based on those government
proposals and adopt it at its December meeting. Related laws,
including the airport law, will be amended during the regular Diet
session next year.
The MLIT plan includes arguments for and against regulating
investment in Japan Airport Company, the already-listed Haneda
Airport facilities operator. The panel will compile a report with
the possibility of ruling out the adoption of a restriction.
18) Poll: 51 PERCENT concerned about public security due to rise in
foreign touristry to Japan
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 28, 2008
The Cabinet Office yesterday released the results of its sponsored
special public opinion survey on the government's tourism policy. In
the survey, respondents were asked for multiple-choice answers about
an increase in the number of foreign travelers to Japan. To this
question, a total of 51.8 PERCENT answered that they were concerned
about safety and thought some measures should be taken. The
government plans to increase the number of foreign travelers to
Japan to 20 million by 2020, more than twice the current level.
However, it has also become clear that there are also many people
who are worried about a rapid increase in the number of foreign
tourists to Japan.
SCHIEFFER