Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1521
2006-03-23 07:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 03/23/06

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
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DE RUEHKO #1521/01 0820743
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230743Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0051
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 7902
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5272
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8419
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5286
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6454
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1281
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7470
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9424
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 001521

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST
DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS
OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 03/23/06


INDEX:

(1) Poll: 87% feel income gap expanding

(2) E-mail fiasco: Minshuto to urge Nagata to reveal middleman's
name; LDP to call for summoning that individual before Diet

(3) Iwakuni City's referendum on USFJ realignment: Overwhelming
opposition against central government plan

(4) Iwakuni City's referendum on USFJ realignment: Overwhelming
opposition against central government plan; Opinion by Taku
Yamasaki, LDP Security Affairs Commission chairman, aims at
realizing USFJ realignment

(5) Government must stresses to US its great benefits from
strengthened base functions in Guam by relocating Okinawa Marines

(6) "Rising Sun-led crude oil" project now adrift

(7) Arguments for and against whaling: Fisheries Agency - "Whale
meat consumption can be expanded," "Whaling is necessary for
controlling aquatic resources"; Those against whaling - "Japan's
needs for whale meat are low," "Research is possible by
observation"

ARTICLES:

(1) Poll: 87% feel income gap expanding

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged)
March 23, 2006

The Japan Polling Association conducted a face-to-face nationwide
public opinion survey on March 4-5 to probe into the public
awareness of income disparities. In the survey, respondents were
asked if they thought the nation's income gap was widening. In
response to this question, "yes" and "yes to a certain degree"
totaled 87%. As is evident from the figure, the widening of
income disparities is now being felt by the greater part of the
nation. The government will likely be urged to carry out a fact-
finding survey for policy-based countermeasures.


The most common reason given for "yes" and "yes to a certain
degree" was the increasing number of part-time workers at 43%,
pointing to an increase in the number of nonpermanent employees
who are less paid than permanent employees. Among other reasons,
32% attributed it to the expansion of corporate and industrial
wage differentials, with 31% picking socioeconomic advantages to
the rich.

Meanwhile, a total of 8% answered "no" or "no to a certain
degree" when they were asked if they thought the income gap was
widening. Among them, 38% did not think the gap was becoming
wider in wages based on ability or work performance.

In the survey, respondents were also asked if they thought the
nation's economy was improving. In response to this question,
"yes" and "yes to a certain degree" totaled 61%, up 21 percentage
points from a previous survey conducted at the same time a year
before. "No" and "no to a certain degree" totaled 35%. As seen
from these figures, the general public was upbeat about the
nation's economy, substantially differing from the previous

TOKYO 00001521 002 OF 009


survey in which public opinion was split.

Polling methodology: For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons
were sampled out of males and females aged 20 and over at 250
locations throughout the country on a stratified two-stage random-
sampling basis, so as to epitomize the nation's voting population
of more than a 100 million. The survey was conducted over a
period of two days, March 4-5, on a face-to-face interview basis.
Answers were obtained from 1,810 persons, excluding those who
could not be interviewed because of their having moved away or
being on a trip, or for other reasons. The retrieval rate was
60.3%. In the breakdown of respondents, males accounted for
48.0%, and females 52.0%.

(2) E-mail fiasco: Minshuto to urge Nagata to reveal middleman's
name; LDP to call for summoning that individual before Diet

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
March 23, 2006

House of Representatives member Hisayasu Nagata apologized
yesterday to the Lower House Disciplinary Committee for creating
the e-mail uproar. Nagata's explanation was focused on
conversations between him and a middleman, a freelance reporter,
who had acted as a go-between for Nagata and the information
source. The main opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of
Japan),which has suspended Nagata's membership, intends to
convince Nagata to reveal the name of the middleman at a
committee session on March 24. The ruling coalition has strongly
called for summoning the middleman to testify as a witness before
the Diet. Chances are strong that the committee will decide what
punishment should be given to Nagata next week or later.

Nagata explained the reasons why he believed a false e-mail that
allegedly Livedoor Co. had transferred money to a son of Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe. He said
that: the middleman had repeatedly told him that bringing up the
email issue at the Diet he would be able to achieve self-
realization and get the credit; the middleman said he had given
him the most important e-mail from among 200 e-mails; and the
middleman had told him the money was transferred from the
Roppongi bank branch of a major bank to the Ginza bank branch of
a major bank.

Nagata, however, gave no grounds for his information. He did not
mention exchanges between the middleman and him until he judged
that the e-mail was a fake.

LDP Acting Secretary General Ichiro Aisawa told reporters
yesterday: "(Nagata's explanation) will not convince the public.
He will have to explain more specifically at a committee session
on March 24."

LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Hiroyuki Sonoda said to
reporters yesterday, "We have to ask the person caused the e-mail
uproar the reason why he gave (Nagata) the false e-mail." He
indicated that Diet testify by the middleman is indispensable.

The focus will be shifted to the name of the middleman, the
result of Minshuto's investigation into the e-mail fiasco planned
for the end of March, the committee's decision on Nagata's
punishment, and on whether Nagata will give up his Diet seat.


TOKYO 00001521 003 OF 009


Minshuto intends to urge Nagata to reveal the name of the
middleman in the form of responding to a question by the ruling
camp at tomorrow's committee session. Secretary General Yukio
Hatoyama said, "He should reveal the name during the session." If
Nagata does not accept the party's request, the main opposition
party plans to reveal the name when it makes public the result of
its investigation. However, many party members are reluctant to
take legal steps, with a senior member remarking, "We don't have
time to file a lawsuit against such a person."

The expectation is that the Disciplinary Committee will give
Nagata an order to suspend his attendance at the Diet for 30
days. However, since calls for his resignation are strong inside
and outside Minshuto, the e-mail fiasco will not be resolved
soon.

(3) Iwakuni City's referendum on USFJ realignment: Overwhelming
opposition against central government plan

ASAHI (Page 15) (Full)
March 17, 2006

Opinion by Iwakuni Assembly member Jungen Tamura

It is significant that the citizens of Iwakuni City were able to
express their opposition to an increase in their burden of
hosting a US military base prior to final formulation by the
governments of Japan and the United States of a report on the
realignment of US bases in Japan.

There is a view that it is inappropriate to take a referendum on
security, for which the central government is responsible.
However, it is impossible to stably operate the base without
cooperation from the local community. If carrier-borne aircraft
are transferred to Iwakuni base, the number of US jet flights
there will double and greatly affect the lives of Iwakuni
residents. Therefore, obtaining local understanding is absolutely
necessary.

Based on the National Protection Law, local governments are
working on drafting a national protection plan that would involve
local governments and private companies. Local government
jurisdictions, including the use of ports, are involved. Since
jurisdictions of local and central governments are sometimes
intertwined, national defense is an immediate issue for local
communities.

The transfer of carrier-based aircraft transfer to Iwakuni is
planned for 2009 after the ongoing construction of an offshore
runway is completed. After a US military plane crashed into the
campus of Kyushu University in 1968, there was a strong outcry
for Iwakuni base to be relocated, because communities were
worried out another accident. Because of this reason, the
construction is now underway to build a new runaway on land
reclaimed from the sea. Now, the central government has decided
to transfer carrier-born aircraft to Iwakuni to use the new
runaway.

Although the offshore runaway project was planned to respond to
the wish of Iwakuni residents, the government has decided to use
it as part of the USFJ realignment process. Iwakuni residents
view the central government's plan to transfer carrier-borne
aircraft from Atsugi base (Kanagawa Prefecture),where more than

TOKYO 00001521 004 OF 009


a million people live, to Iwakuni base, where only 100,000 live,
as done only for its convenience. The local citizens, therefore,
became very angry at the government's plan. After the city
decided to conduct a referendum, many central government
officials made comments downplaying Iwakuni's decision. This only
has added fuel to the fire in Iwakuni.

Of course, Iwakuni residents have raised various reasons for
their opposition to the transfer of carrier-born aircraft. While
some residents have called for a removal of the base, others are
against any strengthening of the functions of the base; while a
third group opposes the plan because they still do not know what
economic incentives the central government will offer them. But
once such a package is revealed, the third group may accept or
may think they have to go along with it.

Since Iwakuni City financially depends on a base economy. The
city is not viable without the presence of the base. In the past,
it was able to build a new office building because of subsidies
in return for its acceptance of a heliport unit. The Defense
Facilities Administration Agency's (DFAA) budget is used for
various public facilities, including the sewage system and roads.

Iwakuni Mayor Ihara is completely aware of that reality. He will
end his tenure on March 19 when Iwakuni City and seven towns and
villages merge to become a new city. The new Iwakuni mayor will
be elected in late April. If Ihara is elected as the new mayor,
he may introduce a flexible policy.

Nevertheless, the city residents after agonizing over the issue,
decided to vote "no" to the plan, Their opposition is
significant.

Iwakuni residents are normally cooperative toward the base. They
have been regarded as meek when it came to base problems.
Whenever the issue of strengthening the functions of the base was
raised, the mayor made the decision to accept it. No claims were
ever filed for damages against base noise. Since many citizens
earn their living by working at the base, base issues were
regarded as taboo. With the referendum this time as a turning
point, a public backlash against pressure from the base suddenly
erupted, resulting in a majority of votes opposing the transfer
of carrier-born aircraft.

USFJ realignment will have an impact on the local community for
the next 20 to 30 years. Therefore, in-depth discussion on the
issue should be conducted, respecting the views of local
communities as much as possible. The government's unilateral
imposition is therefore unacceptable.

(4) Iwakuni City's referendum on USFJ realignment: Overwhelming
opposition against central government plan; Opinion by Taku
Yamasaki, LDP Security Affairs Commission chairman, aims at
realizing USFJ realignment

ASAHI (Page 15) (Full)
March 17, 2006

I predicted that Iwakuni's referendum would turn out that way.
The government takes a position of being responsible for the
security of the entire nation, but for local residents, there is
strong feeling that such is a nuisance. If a public opinion poll
were conducted on the same issue, most people would oppose it.

TOKYO 00001521 005 OF 009


Iwakuni City will merge with neighboring municipalities on March

20. A decision on the issue should be made after the new mayor is
elected.

Since the Iwakuni issue is linked to the realignment of US forces
in Japan, the central government will likely continue its effort
in order to obtain local understanding.

It is desirable for the central government to reach an agreement
with the United States after securing the consent of local
governments by explaining its plans to local residents and
convincing them. I think there could be such a case. However,
there is a limit to the local government's authority. The central
government is responsible for foreign policy and security. Even
if the government fails to obtain approval of the local
residents, it will in the end implement its plan.

When Tokyo and Washington compiled an interim report on the USFJ
realignment at the end of October, I pointed out that it was the
report having been formulated without the participation of local
governments would be a problem. I thought the central government
should have explained its plan to local governments before coming
up with an interim report. It is true that a consensus on the
details had not yet been reached within the government, so it was
difficult for the government to explain its realignment plan to
local governments. I have made efforts to explain the government
plan, but I was able to explain matters only to Okinawa. Unless
the US Marine Futenma Air Station relocation issue is resolved,
the entire USFJ realignment process will not be realized. The US
government has placed top priority on the relocation of Futenma
heliport functions, thinking that as long as this issue remains
unsettled, it will not be possible to reach a final agreement.
Regarding Okinawa's plan to build an alternate heliport offshore,
the central government and local governments were able to
coordinate views, but the main reason for the plan failing to be
realized was because the new heliport had to be built on coral
reefs. Supporters of environmentalism in Tokyo were the main
protesters to the offshore plan. They were concerned about coral
reefs rather than the safety of residents. Local fishermen let
them use their boats (for demonstrations) for their own safety,
not for protesting against the heliport plan.

In August 2004, a US Marines' helicopter crashed on the campus of
Okinawa International University. As a result, distrust of the
entire US forces in Japan spread to other parts of Japan as well.
Anti-US Marines movements erupted. If the Futenma base were
relocated as agreed by the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on
Okinawa (SACO),the problem would have been resolved. Therefore,
Washington is unhappy with the present situation, thinking that
Tokyo is to blame for the Futenma issue since agreement was
reached.

There might be a possibility that a final agreement will be
delayed to next month in order to ensure the effectiveness of the
plan. No changes will be made in the government plan, but
coordination is needed between the central government and local
residents. I believe that the city of Nago will accept the
government plan at the end. I can say that there is no
possibility at present of changing the relocation site. The
relocation site, the area, and the length of a runaway will not
be changed since they have been agreed between the governments of
Japan and the United States.


TOKYO 00001521 006 OF 009


The residents of Nago City want security and regional
development. The reason why they put up a stronger fight than
ever is because that flight routes are located near their
residential area. They are concerned about safety. However, most
flight routes are not over the shore. If the site is changed, the
issues of dugongs and coral reefs will come up again. I think the
government's plan this time is best.

We must realize the relocation plan in order to maintain the
Japan-US alliance, which is one of the pillars of Japan's foreign
policy. The Koizumi government has set the deadline of a final
agreement at the end of March, which is sort of a political
pledge. I think the prime minister is determined to resolve this
issue.

(5) Government must stresses to US its great benefits from
strengthened base functions in Guam by relocating Okinawa Marines

Commentary by Editorial Division member Hidemichi Katsumata

YOMIURI (Page 13) (Full)
March 23, 2006

In the ongoing Japan-US talks on US force realignment plans,
Japan's share of the cost for the planned relocation of US
Marines from Okinawa to Guam has taken center stage.

This issue will also be high on the agenda in the talks of
foreign and defense deputy directors general from Japan and the
United States to start in Tokyo today. In the US force
realignment talks held so far, Japan and the US agreed on a plan
to transfer to Guam about 8,000 Marines, including headquarters
members, of the approximately 15,000 Marines stationed in
Okinawa. The US has estimated 10 billion dollars or approximately
1,170 billion yen as the transfer cost.

The cost estimate includes expenditures for constructing the
headquarters building, barracks, housing for troops' families,
family welfare facilities, as well as infrastructure buildings
such as roads, docks, electric power stations near bases. The US
has asked Japan to pay 75% of the cost (approximately 880 billion
yen) for relocating the Marines.

The Defense Agency (JDA) and the government have fiercely reacted
to the request, one official remarking: "We cannot accept it at
all. I wonder how the 75% was worked out."

A government source, though, stated: "It is necessary for us to
consider the meaning of the figure 75%." The source added: "The
US wants to underscore that the transfer of Marines to Guam is in
response to Japan's request and is not part of US force
realignment plans."

The US takes the above view based on a provision in the status of
forces agreements (SOFA) that the US has concluded with Japan,
South Korea, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Article 18 of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement stipulates
that when the US military or US troops cause damage in Japan to
third parties and if the US side alone is responsible, the cost
incurred in satisfying claims shall be distributed in the
proportion of 25% chargeable to Japan and 75% chargeable to the
US. In the incident in which a US military helicopter crashed

TOKYO 00001521 007 OF 009


into the campus of Okinawa International University (in the
summer of two years ago),it has been decided that the US will
pay 75% of the 47 million yen in compensatory payment. Under the
SOFAs with other countries as well, the maximum share is set at
75% even if one side alone is responsible, out of consideration
given to security benefits enjoyed by both parties.

The planned relocation of Okinawa Marines to Guam is outside the
reach of the Japan-US SOFA, so both sides will work out new
legislation to determine their shares of the cost. Washington's
request for Japan to foot 75% of the cost is supposedly based on
the view that Japan is in charge of the planned Marine
relocation.

Japan and the US expect to face stormy negotiations on US force
realignment from now, but it is important for the government to
clarify the meaning of bases in Guam in US force realignment
plans.

In the 1990s in the post-cold war period, the US significantly
reduced its bases in Guam, keeping Anderson Base and some others
in place. But the US recently announced plans to make Guam its
strategic base, focusing on China's ocean strategy aiming to
advance into the Pacific Ocean. The US has decided to deploy B-2
Stealth bombers and cutting-edge F-22 fighters. It has also
deployed several submarines since three years ago.

The purpose of the planned Marine relocation is to reduce the
base burden on Okinawa. Given this, Japan must be ready to share
a certain level of burden. Even so, it is also necessary for the
government to underline that the reinforcement of its bases in
Guam will greatly benefit the US. It is certain that huge costs
will be needed for moving bases in Iwakuni (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
and other cities in the nation. Without such, it is impossible to
obtain public understanding.

(6) "Rising Sun-led crude oil" project now adrift

SANKEI (Page 3) (Full)
March 23, 2006

Statement by Koichiro Tanaka from the JIME Center, Institute of
Energy Economics

Iran will not give up its nuclear ambitions. Its goal is to
develop nuclear weapons, and by acquiring necessary technologies
for the development of such weapons while denying its intention
to possess them, to acquire deterrent force. Iran is trying to
reach that goal, well aware that this is causing a stir in the
international community. A halt to uranium enrichment activities
does not serve as a bargaining chip.

Depending on the circumstances, Iran would surely try to unsettle
other nations, for instance, Japan, and push the price of crude
oil upward as a strategic move. But Iran needs to sell its oil,
so as long as it is at liberty to export its oil, it will not
take such actions as depriving Japan of its rights to develop the
Azadegan oil field.

If a decision were made by an international coalition to impose
economic sanctions on Iran or if Japan were to reduce its oil
imports, either would deal a blow to Iran. Iran, though, has
enough money set aside to keep its economy afloat for at least

TOKYO 00001521 008 OF 009


two years. If during that timeframe Iran could complete the
process of uranium enrichment, a new game would begin.

Would Japan face difficulty if oil imports from Iran stopped? No.
It is possible for Japan to buy oil from Saudi Arabia instead of
Iran. However, if China and European nations do the same, oil
supplies will not be smooth over the short term. Japan would then
have to be ready to buy oil at much higher prices.

When it comes to securing independently developed oil fields,
Japan has spent the past two decades adrift without charting a
clear map for that purpose. Since winning the rights to develop
the Azadegan oil field, Japan has not thought about what to do
next. Japan has focused its energy for independent oil
development solely on Azadegan in Iran. This strategy has now
driven Japan into a tight spot.

(7) Arguments for and against whaling: Fisheries Agency - "Whale
meat consumption can be expanded," "Whaling is necessary for
controlling aquatic resources"; Those against whaling - "Japan's
needs for whale meat are low," "Research is possible by
observation"

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 28) (Slightly abridged)
March 22, 2006

The argument on whether whaling should be continued or not is
becoming protracted. In the meantime, distributors' whale meat
stocks are building up. The surplus of stocks might spark
discussions on the legitimacy of the argument that whale meat is
Japan's traditional food. The discussions might pick up, covering
such issues as the use of whale as a resource and how to protect
them. The Tokyo Shimbun probed into the focus of the arguments.

Whale meat stocks

According to statistics on the distribution of chilled fishery
products released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and
Fisheries (MAFF) on March 9, the trade inventory of whale meat
stood at 3,512 tons as of the end of last December and 3,185 tons
as of the end of this January. The Fisheries Agency noted that
whale meat stocks dropped to 1,500 tons in the 1990s. It takes an
aggressive view: "One reason for the increase in whale meat
stocks is that the species of whales for research have increased
since 2000. We sometimes receive inquiries from consumers about
where they can buy whale meat. Consumption will increase if
distribution routes are expanded."

On the other hand, Greenpeace Japan, an environmental
organization, criticized whaling: "In a survey conducted in 1999
by an independent British research organization, only 1% of
Japanese surveyed replied that they ate whale meat once a month.
Consumer needs for whale meat are low, and yet whaling is
continuing. The government should conduct a survey of the need
for whale meat instead of research whaling." It also noted that
in surveys conducted in the past, the government adopted an
unfair questionnaire method in which it told respondents that the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) allows research whaling
when it questions respondents.

Research whaling

Research whaling is being carried out in order to do research on

TOKYO 00001521 009 OF 009


such matters as the number of whales. The Japan Whales and Other
Marine Mammals Research Center is responsible for whaling.
Portions of the whales caught in research whaling are preserved
as samples, and the remaining parts are put on the market for
sale. Profits from the sales are used to fund research whaling.
According to the Fisheries Agency, 500 million yen a year in
government funds is used for research whaling and more than 400
million yen for joint research with the IWC.

The Fisheries Agency stressed that research whaling was necessary
to protect the ecosystem as well. It also added that it would aim
to resume commercial whaling.

Greenpeace criticized research whaling: "We want the Fisheries
Agency to take a second look at the situation in which humans
casually leave food, including fish, half-eaten. We also want the
government to survey the overexploitation of whales. Research on
whales can be done through observation. DNA research is also
possible, by sampling parts of whale bodies. It is not necessary
to catch whales."

Traditional food

Some of those who are in favor of whaling have pointed out that
whale meat is a traditional Japanese food and that it is
inappropriate to criticize Japan's traditional culture.

The Fisheries Agency also noted: "Whaling is necessary in order
to raise the nation's food self-sufficiency rate, which is
overwhelmingly low among advanced industrialized nations. Is it
all right for Japanese to eat imported foods instead of
traditional food?"

Greenpeace and other anti-whaling organizations offered a
counterargument: "Whales' gestation period is 10 to 17 months.
Their reproductive rate is low, with whales giving birth to only
one offspring at a time. They are not fit for commercial use. Is
it traditional to dispatch high-tech vessels out into the
Antarctic Ocean to catch whales?" They also noted, "Since Japan's
food sufficiency rate is low, we should use our funds to increase
the rate in a more effective manner instead of carrying out
research whaling."

The positions of those in favor of whaling and those against it
differ in many areas ranging from food culture to the ecosystem.
The future course of the arguments is not yet in sight.

SCHIEFFER