JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/31/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001705 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/31/06 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) President Bush in speech praises Japan's democracy, contributions to peace, while criticizing China's oppression of freedom Iraq reconstruction aid: 5) Japan asked to continue assistance to Iraq 6) Foreign ministers of Japan, Britain to meet in May, agree on difficulty to set timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq 7) Japan pressed by US to fall in line with its diplomacy toward Iran and the nuclear issue China ties: 8) Shocking suicide notes left by Shanghai consulate employee detailing entrapment and intimidation by Chinese intelligence agencies 9) Former prime minister Hashimoto, now leading large delegation to China, to meet President Hu today 10) New Komeito protests delay in ODA loans to China 11) New Ambassador to China Miyamoto sees improvement coming in Japan-China relations 12) China tones down criticism somewhat of Japan's new textbook screenings 13) South Korean government calls in Ambassador Oshima to blast him on new crop of Japanese history textbooks Defense issues: 14) Aomori accepts installation of X-Band, new US radar system 15) JDA chief Nukaga holds talks with mayors in cities near Nago over Futenma issue 16) METI Minister Nikai to submit bill to Diet raising status of JDA to ministry 17) Visiting Commerce Secretary seeks US-Japan cooperation to press China for monetary policy reform 18) US explains that bones found in Hong Kong shipment of US beef posed no safety risk 19) Report shows potential growth rate for Japan at 1.3%, highest in a decade 20) Chief Cabinet Secretary ABE taking lead in study of social disparity issue 21) Muraoka acquitted of charges of taking illegal dental association check, raising greater question of former prime minister Hashimoto's role in the incident 
 22) Former ambassador to US Kuriyama appointed to serve as advisor to the Emperor Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES TOKYO 00001705 002 OF 011 Asahi, Mainichi, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun: Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka acquitted of charge of having concealed 100-million-yen donation from Japan Dental Association to Hashimoto faction; Tokyo District Court rules former treasurer's testimony not credible, suggesting donation was given directly to Hashimoto Yomiuri: Suicide notes by Japanese diplomat in Shanghai testify to China's persistent pressure to reveal secrets Nihon Keizai: Daiichi Sankyo to purchase Zepharma from Astellas to follow top drug maker Taisho 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Muraoka acquitted: Hashimoto's turn to answer questions (2) Revision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law: Merits and demerits on fingerprinting foreign visitors Mainichi: (1) Muraoka acquitted over 100-million-yen donation scandal: Who is the bad guy? (2) NEET and job-hopping part-time workers not "losers" Yomiuri: (1) Muraoka ruling shows murky side of politics (2) Bid rigging-preventing reduced surcharge system worked Nihon Keizai: (1) Rice futures market must be approved (2) Muraoka ruling points to true culprit Sankei: (1) Muraoka cleared in donation scandal: What is the truth? (2) Learn lessons from high-rise apartment building ruling to build pleasant communities Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Muraoka acquitted: Dark side of bypass donation not clarified (2) Deep gulf remains over pluthermal project 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, March 30 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 11:00 Met at Kantei with Naoki Tanaka, who will become chairman of the Postal-Privatization Committee, and followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe. Met again with Tanaka. SIPDIS 14:00 Met with Chairman Iida of the expert panel on sliming and making administration effective, Administrative Reform Minister Chuma, TOKYO 00001705 003 OF 011 and Administrative Reform Promotion Chief of Secretariat Matsuda. 15:00 Met with Ambassador to Iraq Suzuki. 16:00 Met with METI Minister Nikai, Natural Resources and Energy Agency Director General Kodaira. Met afterwards with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 17:23 Met with Gender Equality Minister Inoguchi and Gender Equality Bureau chief Natori. 19:00 Met at his official residence with Upper House Budget Committee Chairman Ono and chief director Ichikawa, and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki. 4) US President Bush, showing clear differences in his approach, criticizes China's suppression of freedom, while praising Japan's contributions to peace SANKEI (Page 7) (Full) March 31, 2006 By Yoshihisa Komori in Washington US President George W. Bush brought up China's suppression of freedom in a speech on freedom and democracy delivered in Washington, DC, and in a subsequent question-and-answer session on March 29, he declared that he would critically refer to religious suppression and other issues in China in an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Meanwhile, Bush repeated his praise for Japan's contributions to democracy and peace, clearly indicating differences in his approaches to these two nations. Bush delivered this speech at Freedom House headquarters, a private organization for advancing democracy, in Washington. In the speech, Bush stated freedom and democracy are also taking root in Iraq. In the subsequent question-and-answer session, Bush referred to the lack of democracy in China and stated, "I will tell President Hu Jintao, who is expected to visit us shortly, not to be afraid of a free society." In addition, he revealed he was reading Mao, a book depicting the life of President Mao Tse- tung, telling the audience, "I keenly realize how the rest of the world was deceived by (President Mao) and how cruel China was." Speaking of the planned meeting with the Chinese president in late April, Bush revealed that in the meeting, he would directly criticize China's suppression of freedom, including religious oppression. Bush noted: "I will discuss freedom and frankly tell Mr. Hu about a number of conversations with the Dalai Lama, the concerns of Catholic churches as well as those of Evangelical churches in China, and other matters. I will also tell him that a healthy society is not built only by the market-opening principles." In answering questions about democratization in the Middle East, Bush emphasized that democracy and freedom were not something peculiar to the United States but they are the universal concepts TOKYO 00001705 004 OF 011 that prevail on the globe. He then mentioned his relationship with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and stated: "Prime Minister Koizumi is not only a good friend but also a partner for me in pursuing peace. Nearly 1,000 Japanese troops are now stationed in Iraq. This is the result of Prime Minister Koizumi having a good grip on the benefits of democracy in the Middle East." Additionally, Bush repeatedly emphasized the values of democracy in Japan, noting: "Because Japan became a democratic nation and a peace-loving nation, the leaders of Japan and the United States can have discussions. Turning Japan into a democratic nation was the right thing to do. This fact is a lesson to be noted." 5) Iraqi delegation expresses hopes for Japan's continued assistance to Iraq MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) March 31, 2006 A group of 10 Iraqi leaders, including the mayor of Muthanna Province in southern Iraq, who are on a mission to Japan to study local autonomy, held a press conference at the Foreign Ministry yesterday. Provincial assemblyman Alzayadi commented on the Ground Self-Defense Force's mission in the province, "It is the Japanese government's responsibility to decide on a withdrawal. We will respect your decision." He also expressed hopes for Japan's continued assistance to Iraq, saying, "We hope that either the SDF, the Foreign Ministry or private corporations will continue carrying out activities in Iraq even after a new government is established." 6) Japanese, British foreign ministers to meet in May on timetable for GSDF withdrawal; Pullout in April now difficult NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 Coordination has started for Foreign Minister Taro Aso and his British counterpart Jack Straw to meet in Tokyo in May. Britain is in charge of ensuring security in the southern part of Iraq. The aim of the planned Japan-Britain meeting is to discuss a timeframe for a withdrawal of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops stationed in Samawah. The Japanese government was planning to pull them out of Iraq in two stages during the April - June period, but if the foreign ministerial is arranged for May, it will become impossible for Japan to withdraw GSDF in April. The inauguration of Iraq's permanent government has been delayed. Given this, Aso during the recent Japan-US-Australia strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level put off a judgment on the timing for a GSDF withdrawal. Britain intends to reduce its troops in Iraq in May as scheduled. 7) UNSC statement on Iran's nuke program: Japan urged to act in concert on diplomatic front SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) March 31, 2006 In connection with Iran's nuclear program, the United States has now informally called on Japan to halt its Azagaden oil field development project in Iran. Meanwhile, the United Nations TOKYO 00001705 005 OF 011 Security Council has adopted a chairman's statement on the issue. Japan, now pressed to make a decision, will have to pay for its failure to review its bilateral relations with Iran and its energy strategy. "If we're nuclear-armed, no one would challenge us any more. Anyone trying to do so will have to pay dear for that." This statement came from Ali Larijani, secretary general of Iran's Supreme National Security Committee (SNSC),when he addressed a national meeting of political leaders from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on November 30 last year. "Iran has a firm resolve to go nuclear. A nuclear-armed Iran would come out with dauntless, offensive foreign policies." This warning came from Gregg Schulte, US representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and US ambassador to the United Nations agencies in Vienna. US Under Secretary of State Joseph, who is in charge of arms control and international security, presumes that Iran has enough nuclear materials to produce highly enriched uranium for "10 nuclear weapons." In his analysis, the US government official predicts that Iran would acquire nuclear development capability in "5-10 years." "Iran is dealing with several countries in an attempt to divide the international community and threatening to stop trade and oil," Ambassador Schulte said. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki delivered a speech in Tokyo on March 1. In the speech, Mottaki issued a warning to Japan, Iran's best customer that buys about 27% of that country's crude oil output. He said, "Our close bilateral relationship must not be hurt by any third- party (US) intervention." The United States' strategy is to isolate Iran. But "it wouldn't be a deal for Iran to stop uranium enrichment," says Koichiro Tanaka, director of the JIME Center at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan. As it stands, the United States and Iran remain wide apart from each other. Russia was expected to act as a go between the two countries but it is now speaking for Iran. The UNSC, from now on, will not likely go any further than to adopt a resolution denouncing Iran at best and not go so far as to adopt a resolution calling for sanctions against Iran. The United States would then form a "coalition of the willing" with its allies to implement sanctions against Iran, and the US-led coalition would step up its pressure... Such a scenario is seen as likely. "Japan will be sandwiched there," says Kunihiko Miyake, formerly a Foreign Ministry bureaucrat and now representing a foreign policy think tank. The coalition would not take all-out economic sanctions at once. They would begin with restricting investments and freezing assets. And then, they will likely go on with sanction measures in stages, such as issuing no passports (sic) to high-ranking Iranian officials and prohibiting overseas travels. However, some doubt such sanctions when it comes to their actual effectiveness. In response to the UNSC chairman's statement, Senior Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki said Japan would continue to work on Iran. But the United States, in its heart of hearts, has no expectations for Japan. The United States is rather casting distrustful eyes on Japan. "The key to our diplomatic strategy toward Iran is that countries concerned about Iran's activities TOKYO 00001705 006 OF 011 act in concert," Schulte said. This US message had Japan in mind. Japan will now have to make up its mind to give up on Iranian oil. That's not only from the perspective of consideration for the United States. "For Japan," Miyake said, "it's not choosing between the United States and oil, it's choosing between oil and nuclear nonproliferation." He added: "Japan should stop nuclear proliferation even at the sacrifice of oil. That's Japan's good sense as the only atomic-bombed nation. Japan should not cave in to Iran's pressure. That's important." 8) Suicide notes of Shanghai consulate official reveals pressure to reveal secrets by China side and threats to five information on other diplomats; Decided to commit suicide when asked for codes next YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpt) March 31, 2006 This newspaper obtained the contents of a suicide note sent to the consul general by a Japanese diplomat (then 46) assigned to the Shanghai Consulate General. The diplomat committed suicide in May 2004. The note revealed that the diplomat was forced by Chinese intelligence agents to provide diplomatic secrets and other information, and it details the process that led to his decision to commit suicide. In the note obtained by this newspaper, the Chinese intelligence agents ask him to tell them from which ministry or agency each consulate official came. The note details the persistent and clever tactics used by the agents, such as pressing him to tell them the names of Chinese contacts of consulate officials. The note is ample proof for the Japanese government to judge that there was a violation of the Vienna Convention. There is also a document in Chinese that was used by the agents to put pressure on the individual. The Chinese government has denied having anything to do with the suicide, but the contents of the note and the document contradict its claim. 9) Delegation of seven groups to China, headed by Hashimoto, arrives in Beijing for talks with President Hu today NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 Manabu Morimoto, Beijing A delegation of seven groups to promote Japan-China friendship, headed by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, arrived in Beijing yesterday. Hashimoto has served as chairman of the Japan International Trade Promotion Association. The delegation will meet with President Hu Jintao at the Great People's Hall today. This will be the Chinese president's first meeting with Japanese politicians since meeting Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe and New Komeito Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba last May. The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the China- Japan Friendship Association. This is the first large-scale Japanese mission to China since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine last October. Hu is expected to give an "important lecture" on bilateral relations during his meeting with Hashimoto, former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, who chairs the cross-party Federation of Diet Members for Promoting TOKYO 00001705 007 OF 011 Japan-China Friendship, and other members. Attention is now paid to what message the top Chinese leader will deliver on the strained relations between Japan and China. 10) New Komeito protests Foreign Ministry's decision to defer yen loans to China MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) March 31, 2006 New Komeito called yesterday Foreign Ministry Economic Cooperation Bureau Director-General Shigekazu Sato to its Foreign Affairs Division to protest the ministry's postponement of its decision on yen loans to China for fiscal 2005, saying, "It is meaningless to shelve the decision." Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba expressed strong displeasure, saying: "The Foreign Ministry did not consult with the New Komeito beforehand. The Liberal Democratic Party is not the only party that is supporting the Foreign Ministry." 11) "There is ample possibility to improve Japan-China relations," says new Ambassador to China Miyamoto MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 Commenting on the strained Japan-China relations, Ambassador to China Yuji Miyamoto, who is to take his post on April 10, in yesterday's interview to the Mainichi indicated a perception: "Both countries are in agreement on the point that relations with the other country are important. There is ample possibility to improve bilateral relations." 12) Screening of school textbooks: China restrains criticism MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has ordered that school textbooks to be screened for next spring should mention that the Senkaku Islands (known as the Diaoyu isles in China) belong to Japan. Deputy Director General Qin Gang of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Press Bureau yesterday responded, "The Diaoyu and islets belonging to it have been China's territory since ancient times. There are unquestionable legal grounds for our claim." He, however, did not protest to the Japanese government. His criticism was restrained, compared with past comments. The Chinese side apparently stopped short of provoking Japan, because President Hu Jintao was scheduled to meet with former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto on March 31, yesterday and release a key dialogue designed to improve bilateral relations. 13) Screening of school textbooks: South Korea lodges protest with Ambassador Oshima MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki-moon of South Korea yesterday called in Japanese Ambassador Shotaro Oshima to the TOKYO 00001705 008 OF 011 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Referring to the order given by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) that high school textbooks to be screened in fiscal 2005 should mention that Takeshima, known as Toku-do in South Korea, are Japan's territory, Ban expressed his regret: "It is regrettable that Japan has taken a measure that could erode the sovereignty of South Korea amid ongoing efforts to dissolve the stalemated bilateral relations." Ambassador Oshima sought understanding from him, noting: "The screening was carried out properly, based on the examination system. It is Japan's consistent position regarding Takeshima." 14) Aomori governor and Tsugaru mayor agree to deployment of US military's X-band radar YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) March 31, 2006 Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura and Tsugaru Mayor Hiroyoshi Fukushima held a press conference at the prefectural government office yesterday in which they expressed their agreement to the planned deployment of mobile X-band radar at the Air Self-Defense Force's Shariki detachment base in the city. The radar was developed by the US military to build an early warning system to intercept ballistic missiles. The deployment of the radar will be incorporated into the US force realignment final report to be compiled in April. 15) Nukaga holds talks with mayors of municipalities around Nago MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) March 31, 2006 Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga held talks last night at his agency with the mayors of four municipalities around Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. Given the difficulty to obtain Nago's consent on the planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab, the defense chef sought their cooperation. 16) Lawmakers to sponsor bill upgrading Defense Agency to a ministry: METI Minister Nikai TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai yesterday in a general meeting of his faction promoted a set of bills to upgrade the Defense Agency to the status of a ministry: "It is desirable that (the government will submit) the bills since they are designed to reform the government organization. However, if the government is reluctant to do so, we are ready to present them as bills sponsored by lawmakers." The faction is now calling on LDP lawmakers to sign up to sponsor the bills. 17) US Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez: "Japan, US need to work together for a China's currency reform" TOKYO 00001705 009 OF 011 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 9) (Full) March 31, 2006/03/31 US Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez yesterday was interviewed by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in Tokyo, and in the interview, he indicated an intention to join hands with Japan to urge the Chinese government to reform the yuan, saying, "The currency issue is the common matter of concern for both the Japanese and US economies." Gutierrez also indicated that revaluing the yuan would help improve America's trade deficits. On the US beef issue, he again called on the Japanese government to reopen its beef market to the United States as quickly as possible. Gutierrez pointed out, "There is indeed the concern about whether the value (of the yuan) is adequate." Citing the submission of a bill intended to impose sanctions on China by influential US senators, he urged Beijing to revalue the yuan even further. Additionally, Gutierrez analyzed: "The US trade deficit is closely linked to (the exchange rate of) the yuan," explaining that the US' current account deficit has been brought about chiefly by trade with China. 18) It was haunch bones that were included in beef shipment to Hong Kong, US replies to Japan's inquiry MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) March 31, 2006 The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) yesterday announced that it received a reply from the US to a question it asked about the inclusion of bones in US beef shipment to Hong Kong. According to the reply provided by the US, two chips 2.5 - 5 centimeters long from parts sticking out of haunch bones were found in the shipment. The US said that the inclusion of such bones is not a breach of the import conditions, because they are not a risk material. Hong Kong imports only boneless beef from the US. It suspended imports in mid-March from the meat packer that shipped the product in question. However, the US appears to be claiming that it is not possible to say that the inclusion of bone chips are the same as beef with bones attached. 19) Projection for growth potential for fiscal 2005 reaches ten- year high of 1.3%, according to provisional calculations by Cabinet Office NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) March 31, 2006 The Cabinet Office has estimated that growth potential, which indicates the Japanese economy's growth performance, for fiscal 2005 increased to 1.3%, up 0.1 points from the preceding year. The recovery of capital investment and improved productivity has raised the fundamental power of the Japanese economy, leading to the surge in the growth potential. The figure is the highest since 1995, when such a figure reached 1.5%. The Cabinet Office sees that the economy is about to emerge from the deflationary cycle due to the correction of the situation in which the actual growth rate has been underperforming growth potential. The Cabinet Office has calculated the growth potential for fiscal TOKYO 00001705 010 OF 011 2005, based on the revised value of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the October-December quarter last year. It is worked out, based on the amount of capital companies invested in their plants and manufacturing facilities, productivity, which reflects the development of technology and production efficiency, and the labor force needed for production activities. Of the growth potential of 1.3%, capital contribution accounts for 0.5 points, productivity for 1.1% and labor force for negative 0.3%. The recovery of business showings has boosted corporate production capacity as well as management efficiency. 20) With an eye on the presidential race, ABE takes lead in discussion on measures to offer second chance for success, seen as move to forestall criticism of income disparity, NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) March 31, 2006 In its first meeting yesterday, the government's Second Challenge Promotion Conference, chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe, started discussion on measures to help out-of-work people or failed entrepreneurs gain a second chance for success. ABE instructed panel members to work out specific measures, including those to back up companies' intermediate recruitment. Some observers speculate that Abe, having an eye on the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race in September, started moves to forestall criticism of a widening gap in society allegedly caused by structural reforms. In yesterday's meeting, ABE said: "It is important to build a society that offers a second chance at success and not to fix the group of winners and the group of losers. He mentioned the words "a second chance" as many as seven times. He asserted that although a certain level of income disparity is unavoidable, "it is necessary to increase chances to try again, instead of distributing wealth with 'equality' as the buzzword." Many officials in the LDP voice concern about the disparity between winners and losers widening in society. The possibility is strong that if ABE runs for the presidential race, the focus of his election campaigning will be "second chance" measures. 21) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Muraoka acquitted of concealing 100 million yen political donation; Tokyo District Court determines testimony of former treasurer not credible; Perhaps covering up for Hashimoto ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) March 31, 2006 Tokyo District Court presiding judge Masaaki Kawaguchi yesterday acquitted former chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka, 74, of the charge of having concealed a 100 million yen political donation by the Japan Dental Association to the former Hashimoto factions' political organization Heisei Kenkyu Kai (Heisei Study Group) of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The concealment was alleged to be in violation of the Political Funds Control Low. The presiding judge determined that the testimony by Toshiyuki Takigawa, then treasurer of the faction, was not credible. The testimony was the pillar of the prosecutions' allegation that Muraoka had ordered Takigawa to hide the donation. The judge TOKYO 00001705 011 OF 011 underscored the possibility of Takigawa having made the false testimony to prevent the scandal from causing trouble for former Prime Minister Hashimoto, who then headed the faction, and Hiroshi Motojuku, the LDP's chief of secretariat, while pointing out the possibility that the 100 million yen might have been a donation to Hashimoto himself. The presiding judge pointed out the reason for the possibility of Takigawa having given a false testimony: "Because he made the false testimony to prevent the scandal from causing trouble for former Prime Minister Hashimoto and other LDP officials, as well as minimize damage to the faction. He also tried to prevent the scandal from revealing the LDP's murky handling of political donations by bringing about investigations into Motojuku. There is the possibility that he made false statements, by mentioning the retired senor LDP official after being defeated in the election." Moreover, the judge stated: "(If not issuing a receipt was Hashimoto's intent) It is conceivable that since the former prime minister headed the faction, chances are strong that he will be charged with a violation of the Political Funds Control Law. It is only natural to think that treasurer Takigawa tried to avoid the scandal causing trouble for the former prime minister and the Heisei Study Group." 22) Former ambassador to US Kuriyama to become advisor to Emperor in post at Imperial Household Agency TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) March 31, 2006 Former Ambassador to the US Takakazu Kuriyama, 74, and Tokyo University Professor Emeritus Taichiro Mitani, 69, will assume positions at the Imperial Household Agency, effective on April 1. They will serve as advisors to the Emperor. Incumbent advisors -- Toshijiro Nakajima, 80, and Katsuya Onishi, 77 -- will step down from their posts as of today. Joining the Foreign Ministry in 1954, Kuriyama served in such posts as administrative vice minister, advisor to the ministry, and ambassador to the United States. Mitani is a specialist in modern Japanese history. He headed the Japanese team of the Japan-South Korea History Study Committee, which compiled a report in 2005. DONOVAN