Cablegate: Japanese Morning Press Highlights 09//06
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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09//06
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule
Security angles:
4) Former Prime Minister Nakasone proposes Japan study nuclear
arming itself in case alliance with US fails
5) GSDF brass turned commentator Shikata says Japan should have a
preemptive strike capability
6) MSDF ship off Aomori Prefecture accidentally fires 10 rounds of
shells toward private homes on shore
7) Prime Minister Koizumi tops all of his predecessors in overseas
travel: 47 countries in 51 trips abroad
8) Chinese premier tells Keidanren chairman that obstacles have to
be removed before he can visit Japan
9) Japan, ROK reach no agreement in talks to set prior-notification
system for surveys in disputed EEZ waters between the two countries
10) Japanese companies may provide US with nuclear-recycling
technology
11) METI to promote development of domestic passenger plane by 2012
Political season:
12) LDP bloc convention series ends as presidential campaign rolls
toward final phase
13) Abe camp alarmed by proposed Diet opening on Sept. 26, five days
after LDP election, leaving open party scramble for posts in new
administration
14) New Komeito to issue new political action plan that will draw a
line from Abe's conservative stances
15) Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) head Ozawa to issue party
"vision" on 11th
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Amendment to the Money Lending Control Law will raise interest
rates, with special interest rate likely to be set at 28% per year
Mainichi:
Consumer loan firms collected debts in 3,649 cases of borrowers'
suicides
Yomiuri:
Extension of Narita Airport temporary runway to be started before
the end of this month with agreement reached with local residents on
noise measures
Nihon Keizai:
METI outlines a plan for commercial production of jet planes with
120 billion to be contributed from government and private sector
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Sankei:
Japan to send an official government delegation of 1,000 persons to
trade fair in China
Tokyo Shimbun:
MSDF ship misfires 10 rounds while moored off Aomori's port
Akahata:
JCP Chairman Shii visiting ROK, first JCP head to visit there
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) Kickback money scandal involving Gifu Prefectural Government:
Former government should take responsibility
(2) Frozen sperm: Flaw in legislation
Mainichi:
(1) Fertilization after death: Rules should be set for reproduction
technology
(2) Civil engineering technology: Handing down of technology at home
and abroad
Yomiuri:
(1) Removal of gray zone interest rate should not be watered down
(2) Corrupt prison officers: Illegal acts still exist in prisons
Nihon Keizai:
(1) Russia needs to improve investment environment
(2) Cell phone charges should be reduced with adoption of number
portability system
Sankei:
(1) Kickback money scandal involving Gifu Prefectural Government:
Grande-scale organized crime
(2) Frozen sperm: Broad discussion necessary
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Reform of local government finance: Need to be prepared for
zero-base budget
(2) Exchanges of Japanese and Chinese senior high school students to
make a lot of friends
Akahata:
Budget request for military spending aimed at backing up US world
strategy
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, September 5
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
September 6, 2006
09:21
Handed over endorsement certificates to those who plan to run for
the by election in the Lower House Osaka Constituency No. 9 at LDP
Headquarters. Secretary General Takebe was present. Then attended a
party executive meeting.
10:02
Attended a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Official
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Residence (Kantei). Then attended a meeting of the Central Urban
District Revitalization Headquarters and a meeting of the Experts
Council for Active Agriculture, Mountain and Fishing Villages.
14:03
Met with outgoing and incoming Vice Environment Ministers Tamura and
Sumitani. Then met with Cabinet Office Vice Minister Uchida and
others.
15:00
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Nishida and European Affairs Bureau
Director General Harada of the Foreign Ministry.
16:30
Met with Deputy Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Ando.
18:31
Dined with cabinet ministers, the deputy chief cabinet secretary and
others at the Kantei, joined by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe and
Foreign Minister Aso.
4) Nakasone calls for studying option of arming Japan with nuclear
weapons
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
September 6, 2006
The Institute for International Policy Studies chaired by former
Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone released yesterday afternoon a set
of proposals urging Japan to study the option of arming itself with
nuclear weapons to be prepared against tremendous future changes in
the international climate.
Nakasone told the press conference:
"Whether or not the United States (which has provided Japan with a
nuclear umbrella) will maintain the same attitude is unpredictable.
There is a need to study the option of nuclear weapons."
Nakasone's proposal that might lead to an abandonment of the three
non-nuclear principles is likely to create a stir.
Nakasone also said: "First, Japan should remain as a non-nuclear
power, second the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) system must
be strengthened."
The proposals also call for the possession of an enemy-base strike
capability as a step to enhance Japan's self-defense capabilities.
The proposals also call for: (1) continued efforts to win a
permanent UN Security Council seat; (2) establishment of a national
intelligence bureau directly under the prime minister; and (3)
establishment of a National Security Council by strengthening the
Security Council of Japan.
5) Shikata in speech in Wakayama conference says that Japan "should
have preemptive strike capability"
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
September 6, 2006
Speaking at a Sankei-sponsored conference in Wakayama yesterday on
the theme of "Responding to the New Threats," Teikyo University
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Professor Toshiyuki Shikata stressed that sole self-defense alone
would not be able to respond to attacks from international
terrorists and failed states. He advocated: "Japan should possess
the military capability of preemption against enemy bases. Whether
we would actually use the weapons or not would be a political
decision."
In addition, he touched on the situation of Japan having to depend
on the United States in various ways, such as the US' nuclear
deterrence and intelligence gathering. "The reason why Japan lacks
the military capability of making a preemptive strike is because
political decisions have been neglected," he pointed out. "It is
possible for us to set up system where we do not have to rely on the
US for its intelligence, which forms the basis of political
decisions."
Profile: Toshiyuki Shikata, a professor at the Law Faculty of Teikyo
University, is a former defense attach at the Japanese Embassy in
the US and commanding general of the Ground Self-Defense Force's
Northern District Army.
6) MSDF ship docked in Aomori misfires 10 machinegun rounds in
direction of private houses
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
September 6, 2006
A 50-ton Maritime Self-Defense Force missile ship docked at the
Ominato base in Aomori Prefecture misfired 10 20mm machinegun rounds
on the night of Sept. 5, the Defense Agency said. The ship belongs
to the Yoichi coastal defense post in Hokkaido.
The ship negligently fired four live and four training rounds at
around 7:19 p.m. in a direction of the Ominato regional headquarters
and private houses two kilometers ahead. Whether the misfire caused
any damage remains unknown. The MSDF is searching for the fired
rounds in cooperation with local governments, police forces, and
firefighters.
According to the MSDF, two missile vessels left the Yoichi costal
defense post earlier in the day. They conducted a machinegun firing
drill at sea and entered the Ominato base at around 6:00 p.m. The
misfiring occurred in the process of checking the machineguns.
The MSDF has three hydrofoil missile ships of the same type which
all belong to the Yoichi coastal defense post. Each carries two
ship-to-ship missiles, one 20mm machinegun, and 11 crewmembers.
In February 1999, an MSDF petty officer 2nd class aboard the escort
ship Haruna docked at the Maizuru base in Kyoto fired two live
rounds using the Close in Weapon System (CIWS) in a direction of
land for the purpose of disposing of the live shells left behind
from the drill conducted in December 1998. Although the shells are
believed to have landed in Mt. Aoba in Takahama Town, Fukui
Prefecture, they have not been found.
7) Prime Minister Koizumi visits 47 countries, makes 51 overseas
trips
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will leave for Finland tomorrow to
attend the summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). This will be
his 51st and last overseas trip as premier, giving him the highest
total among the nation's prime ministers, more than twice the 22
trips made by former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. He is
expected to exchange views with ASEM leaders on Iran's nuclear
program and international cooperation to resolve the abduction
issue.
Koizumi will have visited a total of 47 countries, topping the 30 by
former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu. By country, he visited the
United States seven times. He made his first trip to the US in June
2001 and his second in September 2001 immediately after the 9/11
terrorists attacks. In his latest visit to the US in June, he was
able to play up his close ties with President George W. Bush,
visiting the residence of Elvis Presley along with the president.
Koizumi went to China and South Korea six times. However, summits
with Chinese and South Korean leaders have been suspended since
Koizumi visited Seoul in June last year. He visited the Memorial
Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japan in Beijing in October
2001.
8) Chinese Premier Wen tells Keidanren chairman about the need to
remove obstacles against Japan visit
SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
Minoru Nagata, Beijing
Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) Chairman Fujio Mitarai
yesterday met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of
the People and asked him to visit Japan. According to a person
accompanying Mitarai, Wen told Mitarai: "Normal, high level
exchanges can be realized once political obstacles are removed." Wen
thus indicated that resolving the issue of the prime minister's
visits to Yasukuni Shrine is the condition for the resumption of
exchanges of top leaders of Japan and China, which have been
interrupted for nearly five years.
Mitarai is visiting China as the top advisor of the Japanese
delegation to China sent by the Japan-China Economic Association.
Wen said to Mitarai: "The reason why political obstacles have been
caused is known to everybody. I think both countries need to
endeavor to remove the obstacles as soon as possible." This remark
is taken as a message toward the next prime minister after Koizumi,
as the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race approaches.
9) Japan, ROK fail to reach agreement on establishment of prior
reporting system
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
September 6, 2006
Kyoji Fukushima, Seoul
Japan-ROK intergovernmental talks on the demarcation of the
exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the two countries, held yesterday
at South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ended
without any progress, although both sided agreed to hold the next
round of the talks in Tokyo. The negotiations also failed to reach
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agreement on the introduction of a prior reporting system that would
require both countries to report to each other about marine surveys
planned in waters where no demarcation has been set, for example,
the area around Takeshima (Dokdo). Both sides, however, agreed to
continue the negotiations on the prior reporting system, aside from
the demarcation talks.
During the talks yesterday, the negotiators from the two governments
remained firm in their principles and went no further than to
confirm that they would accelerate the negotiations so that
demarcation can be realized in accordance with international law and
with an agreement. A timetable for the next round of talks will be
discussed in the days ahead. Both sides want to meet again by the
end of the year. On the question of the prior reporting system, both
sides set out their basic notions, but Japan failed to bring out any
positive stance about the system from South Korea.
Japan's Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi late
yesterday arrived in Seoul to attend the Japan-ROK vice foreign
ministerial strategic dialogue, one day ahead of the initial
schedule because his South Korean counterpart, Yu Myung Hwan,
conveyed to Yachi that the bilateral dialogue could be started at
noon today. Japan plans to conduct an environmental survey in waters
around Takeshima at late September or in October to see how nuclear
waste dumped by the former Soviet Union in the Sea of Japan has
affected the waters. But if under this circumstance, this survey
were carried out as planned, the possibility is not ruled out that
South Korea will dispatch patrol boats to the water area to be
surveyed and clash with the survey boat.
10) Aiming at contract, Japanese companies to propose exporting
technology for US' nuclear recycling program
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) and several nuclear
reactor manufacturers, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Toshiba, and Hitachi are aiming at receiving orders from the United
States for high-speed reactors and nuclear-fuel reprocessing
facilities for spend fuel that are planned to come on line in 2020,
and have decided to put forth a technology proposal. Because of
international proliferation of nuclear weapons and the difficulty in
the US of reducing the amount of nuclear waste, the government is
switching from the previous method of disposing of nuclear waste
underground to a plan of recycling spent fuel. Japan thus aims to
export its technology of building high-speed reactors (Monju) and
recycling spent fuel to the US. The proposal will be sent to the US
Department of Energy around Sept. 8.
11) Commercial production of domestically-produced jet to start in
fiscal 2012: Government, private sector to disburse 120 billion yen
NIHON KEIZAI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has set an
outline for the nation's first plan for commercial production of a
domestically-manufactured jet passenger aircraft, a project to be
promoted together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It will set up a
special purpose company (SPC) financed by the private sector with
the aim of launching flight services in fiscal 2012. The company
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will procure approximately 120 billion yen as development funds.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will be responsible for developing and
selling the envisaged jets. The government intends to enhance the
international competitiveness of the aircraft industry and parts and
raw material industries through the practical use of
domestically-produced jets after a hiatus of about 50 years.
The plan is to develop a 72-seater small-size jet and a 92-seater
medium-size jet. Fuel efficiency will be more than 20% higher than
competing models. METI and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have
developed elemental technology since fiscal 2003, but a massive
amount of money is needed for commercialization. It has been a case
in point whether a fund procurement system aimed to reduce the
burden of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can be worked out.
According to the of the commercial production plan, the SPC will be
established as early as 2008, funded by domestic trading companies
and banks, as well as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The company will
also procure development funds through loans from private banks and
government-affiliated financial institutions. The state will also
disburse subsidies.
Boeing of the US and Airbus of Europe have also received financial
assistance from their governments in developing passenger planes. In
view of these examples, the government has judged that it would be
necessary for the government and the private sector to tackle the
commercial production of jets in cooperation. The only passenger
plane manufactured by Japan is the YS-11 plane, which made its
maiden flight in 1962. A special company jointly funded by the
government and the private sector carried out the project. The ratio
of government subsidies for the project this time will be around
30%, a level in conformity with the US and European cases.
12) LDP regional conventions end; Presidential candidates play up
policies; Not enough debate
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday wrapped up its regional
conventions for the Sept. 20 party leadership race. The conventions
were held in 10 cities across the nation. The holding of the
regional conventions for the presidential race was the first
challenge led by the LDP executive, including Secretary General
Tsutomu Takebe. All three presidential candidates viewed the events
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favorably, saying that they were able to explain their major policy
platforms. However, the three candidates failed to debate, simply
explaining their policies.
29,000 participants in 10 cities
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters last night:
"I think the conventions were good, since many people took part and
the candidates were able to explain their views.
The first convention was held in Tokyo on July 28, and the last one
in Nagoya yesterday. The purpose of holding the regional conventions
was to give the presidential candidates opportunities to explain
their policy platforms to the public to increase voter interest in
the presidential election. A total of 29,000 people participated in
the ten conventions.
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13) Abe and his supporters concerned about office-seeking
intensifying; Extra Diet session to be convened on Sept. 26
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
Meeting strong opposition by the leading opposition party Minshuto
(Democratic Party of Japan), the proposed Sept. 22 starting date for
an extraordinary Diet session to select the next prime minister has
been slipped to the 26th. The change in the starting date for the
extra session will likely affect the selection of cabinet members
and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executives by Chief Cabinet
Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is expected to win the LDP presidential
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election. The starting date for Sept. 22 was set in order to prevent
office-seeking activities by those looking forward to entering an
Abe cabinet by convening the extra session soon after the Sept. 20
LDP leadership race. The delay of the convocation of the Diet
session will likely create confusion in Abe's selection of key
officials.
The party's Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe, who is close to Abe,
said yesterday at a press conference: "The LDP president becomes in
effect the prime minister. The public also hopes for the
establishment of the new cabinet and a policy speech by the new
prime minister." Abe's aide urged the Prime Minister's Official
Residence to convent the extra Diet session on Sept. 22, concerned
that it won't be good to convene the session one week after the new
LDP president was elected on Sept. 20 because Abe's appointment of
key officials will become complicated. Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi expressed understanding for an early convocation of the
extra session, saying on Aug. 25, "It would be good to convene the
session soon after the new president is elected."
14) New Komeito drafts action program to keep cautious distance from
Abe
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts)
September 6, 2006
The New Komeito has drafted its action program covering the next two
years expressing its concern over Japan's discord with China and
South Korea and a determination to maintain Article 9 of the
Constitution, which renounces war and the possession of war
potential. The action program is likely to dampen the conservative
policy of Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, the frontrunner in the
Liberal Democratic Party presidential race. Although the party's
action program two years ago took a negative view about exercising
the right of collective self-defense, the program this time does not
touch on the issue, seemingly in deference to Abe, who is eager to
allow the government to exercise it by altering the government's
interpretation of the Constitution. The LDP's coalition partner is
likely to maintain a cautious distance from an Abe administration.
Asked by a reporter for his opinion about Abe's constitutional view
on Aug. 31, New Komeito Acting Secretary General Akihiro Ota, who is
certain to become the new representative of the party, declined to
express his view. In 2004, the New Komeito adopted an action that
read: "The dominant view in the party is that Japan is not allowed
to exercise the right of collective self-defense." Critical views
are deeply seated in the party and its support base, Soka Gakkai.
"It's not our policy to allow the country to exercise the right of
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collective self-defense. We would not hesitate to dissolve the
coalition arrangement with the LDP, if necessary," a senior New
Komeito lawmaker said.
But given the circumstances, the party may have to lean toward a
pragmatic approach. In the Upper House election next summer, the New
Komeito will aim to maintain its 13 seats, which seems difficult at
present. Of the important bills carried over from the previous
ordinary Diet session, the party wants to enact controversial bills,
such as those to amend the Basic Education Law and to raise the
Defense Agency to ministry status, in the upcoming extraordinary
Diet session in the fall without waiting for the next year's regular
Diet session, which will soon be followed by the Upper House
election. To that end, the New Komeito needs to maintain good
relations with the LDP.
In addition, the New Komeito will adopt in the upcoming party
convention a new setup handed by Ota, who will replace
Representative Takenori Kanzaki. With New Komeito-LDP coalition
government talks approaching, some senior Komeito members have begun
calling for caution in handling the question of the right of
collective self-defense for the time being.
15) Ozawa to release new vision for DPJ presidential election on the
11th
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
September 6, 2006
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan = Minshuto) head Ichiro Ozawa
has decided to release during a press conference to be held on Sept.
11 a new policy vision for a party presidential election to be
announced on the 12th.
He will return to Japan from the US on the 7th. The plan is to meet
with Deputy Chief Naoto Kan and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama at
the party headquarters on the morning of the 8th for the final
coordination of the new vision.
The new vision is characterized as Minshuto's basic policy proposal
in the run-up to the Upper House election next year. During the
April party presidential election, Ozawa put up creation of a fair
country as a reform target. To achieve that end, he made policy
proposals, including cutting income tax rates, totally abolishing
tax grants allocated to individual local governments and instead
introducing a package allocation system as independent fiscal funds,
establishing United Nations-centered security principles, etc. The
new vision is expected to be the materialization of these proposals.
Ozawa will also present political principles along with the new
vision. He will thus clarify a stance of aiming for a changeover of
government.
Minshuto during yesterday's directors meeting made a final selection
of 239,323 party members and supporters who are eligible to vote in
the presidential election. Party members and supporters in 300 small
election districts will vote by mail. A candidate who garnered the
largest number of votes in each district will be given one point.
Takashi Kawamura (elected from the Aichi Constituency No. 1), a
Lower House member, is also eager to run in the election. However,
he has no prospect for being able to secure 20 supporters from among
lawmakers who belong to Minshuto. As such, Ozawa will be mostly
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likely reelected without voting by party members and supporters.
SCHIEFFER