Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1818
2006-04-05 08:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/05/06

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001818 

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 04/05/06


INDEX:

(1) Poll on USFJ realignment

(2) Futenma relocation Henoko point plan: One thousand angry
residents living under planned flight route hold rally; Speakers
complain about noise pollution

(3) US force realignment following a wild path (Part 1): Based on
mutual distrust, Japan and the US trying to prevent each other
from maximizing advantages

(4) Poll on Japan's Constitution

(5) Editorial: Opinion poll reveals growing awareness of need for
constitutional revision

(6) Interview with Shinzo Abe, chief cabinet secretary: Policies
should be worked out by government

(7) Japan ratcheting up pressure on North Korea at Chief Cabinet
Secretary Abe's initiative, with review of tax breaks for pro-

SIPDIS
Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan;
Ministries and agencies working together to uncover illegal acts

ARTICLES:

(1) Poll on USFJ realignment

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2006

Questions & Answers
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female)

Q: There's a plan to move about 8,000 US troops from Okinawa to
Guam in order to alleviate Okinawa's base-hosting burden. The US
has asked Japan to pay about 900 billion yen, or 75% of its
estimated cost of new facilities there for them. Do you think
it's unavoidable for the Japanese government to share the cost?

T P M F
Yes 38 47 31
No 53 47 58

Q: The city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture polled its
residents to ask whether they would accept the planned
redeployment of a carrier-based air wing to Iwakuni base for the
realignment of US forces in Japan. In that plebiscite, about 90%
voted against it. Meanwhile, there's an opinion that matters
related to the nation's diplomacy and security are not
appropriate for a plebiscite. Do you agree with this opinion?

Yes 20 26 14
No 68 67 70

(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "No answer"
omitted.

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted April 1-2 over the
telephone with the aim of calling a total of 1,000 voters across
the nation on a computer-aided random digit sampling (RDS) basis.
Answers were obtained from 1,092 persons.

TOKYO 00001818 002 OF 012



(2) Futenma relocation Henoko point plan: One thousand angry
residents living under planned flight route hold rally; Speakers
complain about noise pollution

ASAHI (Page 29) (Slightly abridged)
April 5, 2006

Residents of Ginoza Village yesterday held a rally in opposition
to the plan to relocate US forces' Futenma Air Station to Henoko
Point, Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. The village is located
approximately 8 kilometers southwest of Henoko Point, right under
the planned flight route. The relocation issue is now at the
final stage, but the government is continuing talks only with
Nago. Put in the dark, another affected local community is
increasingly becoming impatient and indignant.

An implementation committee organized by senior village officials
and members of the village assembly hosted the rally. About 1,000
villagers out of 5,300 took part in it, according to the
organizer.

In the village, residents of Matsuda Ward are especially
concerned over the Henoko Point plan, because the ward is located
right under the planned flight route.

Residents there are already suffering from noise from US forces'
helicopter drills. Reiko Toma (47) is the mother of one son and
two daughters. She made a speech at the rally as a representative
of the residents. She noted, "There is constant noise whether it
is early in the morning or late at night. The noise is so loud
that you cannot hear the television."

Fishermen are also deeply concerned. Minoru Koki (41) sees a
convoy of US forces' amphibious vehicles coming and going in a
lagoon in the ward. He expressed concern: "Military drills will
destroy the coral. If the sea around this area is reclaimed, it
would cause a great deal of damage to the fishing industry."

The village assembly last November adopted a motion opposing the
Henoko Point plan. There are, however, no signs of the government
altering the relocation plan substantially. On the contrary,
under the government's draft revision, including moving the
planned runway site counterclockwise 10 degrees, the flight route
will come even closer to the village. The flight route will be
right over the village under the plan presented by Nago, too.

Ward Mayor Akinobu Toma (43) expressed his growing sense of
alarm: "Looking at talks between Nago and the government, I feel
that they do not mind sacrificing Matsuda Ward. If we keep mum
about the development of the talks, things will go from bad to
worse for us."

(3) US force realignment following a wild path (Part 1): Based on
mutual distrust, Japan and the US trying to prevent each other
from maximizing advantages

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Abridged slightly)
April 2, 2006

Tokyo and Washington began talks on the realignment of US forces
in Japan in November 2003. Washington's realignment plan centered
on two points: (1) relocating the US Army 1st Corps headquarters

TOKYO 00001818 003 OF 012


from Washington to Japan and (2) transferring the Fifth Air Force
Command at Yokota Air Base, which houses USFJ headquarters, to
Guam.

The global transformation of US forces originated from 9/11,
which exposed the need for homeland security of the United States
for the first time. The incident prompted Washington to aim at
effectively defending the US mainland and blocking terrorists
from entering the US while constraining military spending.

The news that the Fifth Air Force may disappear shocked Japan.

To begin with, the Fifth Air Force has no power to command a
major battle. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the force has
become an integral part in the defense of Japan. It has also
turned into a mere shell due to major cutback on staff officers.
In time of an emergency in Japan, the Hawaii-based commander in
chief, US Pacific Command, is required to take command.

It is proper to regard the Fifth Air Force commander as a
"peacetime administrator" rather than a "wartime commander."

Japanese and US defense officials were all aware that US forces
in Japan were nothing more than a paper tiger, and they feared
that the vague security system would come to light.

The Foreign Ministry rejected the US realignment plan. In the
event of an armed attack on Japan, the 40,000-strong US Army 1st
Corps is required to rush to Japan ahead of other forces. Known
for its outstanding combat power, the area of responsibility of
the US Army's 1st Corps extends to the Indian Ocean. Japan
rejected the US plan by citing the bilateral security treaty's
Far East clause, which stipulates that US forces in Japan can
make sallies to the area up to the north of the Philippines.

The relocation of the 1st Corps headquarters was eventually
shelved, and the focus in talks was shifted to closer cooperation
between US forces in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces and
Japan's call for alleviating burdens on municipalities hosting US
bases.

US officials commented angrily at times: "Reducing the burden?
The word 'burden' really applies to the United States in
describing Iraq, where so many young American men and women are
losing their lives."

Looking back on talks with the US, a Japanese official said, "We
acutely felt America's frustration with US force realignment
deviating from its original purpose."

The viewpoint of defending Japan was visibly lacking. A Ground
Self-Defense Force official took this view: "Conflicts could
occur in the Asia-Pacific (a region producing terrorists). The
planned relocation of the 1st Corps reflected the US Army's
desire to command troops from a spot closer to the region." US
force realignment is intended to strengthen the role of the
Japanese archipelago, which is serving as frontline command.

After moving the 1st Corps headquarters to Japan, the US
reportedly intends to upgrade the rank of its commander from
lieutenant general to general and to place US Forces South Korea
under US Forces Japan.


TOKYO 00001818 004 OF 012


The transformation of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which was
originally intended for the defense of Japan, is now obvious.

There was every reason for Defense Agency officials to underscore
the need to review the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense
Cooperation (which allows the two countries to cooperate within
the scope of regional crises).

When bilateral talks stalled in February last year, the US
proposed changing the 1st Corps headquarters to a new US Army
headquarters known as Unit of Employment X (UEx) with no area of
responsibility. In reaction, the Defense Agency said: "Japan does
not need two ground forces. We would like to see US Marines
removed from Okinawa to overseas."

The proposed UEx might infringe on the Far East clause, and the
Defense Agency insisted on resolving the Okinawa base issue.

Looking back, a Japanese negotiator noted:

"The acceptance of the 1st Corps had to come in hand in hand with
alleviating the burden on Okinawa. The two countries eventually
forced themselves to agree to implementing everything that is
mentioned in their interim report -- from the relocation of
Futenma Air Station to the transfer of a carrier-borne aircraft
unit from Atsugi to Iwakuni -- although they might force greater
burdens on local communities."

Such developments offer a glimpse into the two countries'
determination not to allow each other to monopolize the benefits.
US force realignment talks also exposed mutual distrust behind
the Japan-US alliance, which is supposed to rest on relations of
trust.

Five months have passed since Tokyo and Washington produced their
interim report on US force realignment. In anticipation of
greater burdens, base-hosting municipalities have hardened their
attitude, and questions remain about close cooperation between
the US military and the SDF. Rough-and-ready bilateral talks also
forced the two countries to defer their deadline for the final
report from March 31 to April or later.

(4) Poll on Japan's Constitution

YOMIURI (Pages 15) (Full)
April 4, 2006

Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage.)

Q: What's your interest in the Constitution of Japan? If there's
anything you are particularly interested in, pick as many as you
like from among those listed below.

The Emperor and imperial household 30.9
Japan's war renunciation, Self-Defense Forces 49.3
Equality, discrimination 16.4
Freedom of speech, press, and all other forms of expression
11.1
Information disclosure 16.4
Privacy protection 25.3
The right to live in peace, social welfare 16.9
Environmental disruption 24.0

TOKYO 00001818 005 OF 012


The rights to assemble, demonstrate, and strike 2.0
Electoral system 12.7
The right of access to the courts 12.5
Official visits to Yasukuni Shrine 27.8
Constitutional revision 16.2
Separation of the three powers of administration, legislation,
and judicature 4.1
Local autonomy 12.0
The Diet's bicameral system 8.4
The process and background of establishing the Constitution
5.7
Other answers (O/A) + nothing in particular (NIP) + no answer
(N/A) 9.1

Q: These days, the Diet and various political parties have been
pursuing debate on the Constitution. Do you favor this move?

Yes 42.2
Yes to a certain degree 29.2
No to a certain degree 11.0
No 10.2
N/A 7.5

Q: Do you think it would be better to amend the Constitution?

Yes 55.5
No 32.2
N/A 12.3

Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question)
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed
below.

Because it's a US-imposed constitution 33.6
In order to expressly stipulate Japan's right of self-defense and
the existence of the Self-Defense Forces 32.5
Because there are too many cases claiming rights while neglecting
obligations 25.3
Because the conventional way of reading or applying the
Constitution's provisions would lead to confusion if and when
there is a need to meet situational changes 32.9
Because Japan is expected to make international contributions,
and there are also various challenges Japan cannot meet under its
present-day constitution. 47.4
O/A 1.5
N/A 1.9

Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question)
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed
below.

Because the Constitution has already taken root in the nation
36.3
Because the Constitution is of a pacifist nature, Japan can be
proud of it 51.5
Because the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and
democracy 26.7
Because the Constitution can be interpreted or applied in a
flexible way with the change of the times 20.5
Because revising the Constitution may pave the way for Japan to
turn into a military power 34.2
O/A 1.0
N/A 0.7

TOKYO 00001818 006 OF 012



Q: The Constitution's Article 9 stipulates that Japan renounces
war and will never maintain any war potential. The government has
so far responded to relevant problems with its interpretation and
application of the article. What do you think the government
should do about Article 9 from now on? Pick only one from among
those listed below.

The government should continue with its interpretation and
operation of Article 9 32.6
The government's conventional way of responding to problems with
its constitutional interpretation and operation has now reached
its limit, so Article 9 should be amended 39.3
The government should strictly abide by Article 9 and should not
respond to problems via interpretation or operation 20.9
O/A 0.2
N/A 7.0

Q: The Constitution's Article 9 does not directly stipulate
anything about having an organization for self-defense. Do you
think the Constitution should expressly stipulate the Self-
Defense Forces' existence?

Yes 46.8
Yes to a certain degree 24.4
No to a certain degree 11.4
No 11.3
N/A 6.1

Q: The government has been taking the position that although
Japan has the right to collective self-defense, the Constitution
does not allow Japan to exercise this right. What do you think
about this? Pick only one that is closest to your opinion from
among those listed below.

The Constitution should be amended so that Japan can exercise the
right of collective self-defense 26.9
The Constitution should be reinterpreted so that Japan can
exercise the right of collective self-defense 22.7
Japan should continue as it has done and need not be allowed to
use the right of collective self-defense 43.5
O/A 0.1
N/A 6.7

Q: The Constitution stipulates the Diet shall consist of two
houses, namely the House of Representatives (lower chamber) and
the House of Councillors (upper chamber). There are various
arguments about this bicameral parliamentary system. Pick only
one that is closest to your opinion.

The House of Councillors should be abolished, leaving only one
chamber 27.8
The two-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of
Representatives' role and authority should be strengthened
8.8
The two-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of
Councillors' role and authority should be strengthened 16.9
The Diet should maintain its current two-chamber system as is
40.7
O/A 0.8
N/A 4.9

Q: If there's anything you think it would be better to revise in

TOKYO 00001818 007 OF 012


the Constitution or add to the Constitution, pick as many as you
like from among those listed below.

The Emperor's status 24.2
Japan's maintenance of armed forces for self-defense 27.4
Proactive international cooperation 21.9
Right to know government information 18.3
Privacy protection 27.6
Respect for family 11.5
The right to live in a good environment 27.6
The prime minister's strengthened powers to deal with
emergencies, etc. 12.4
The lower and upper houses' respective roles 13.5
Central and local government roles 25.2
Establishment of a constitutional court 4.5
O/A 0.1
NIP 16.4
N/A 2.9

Q: What idea do you think it would be desirable to emphasize in
the Constitution? Pick up to three from among those listed below.

Tradition, history 29.2
Nature, environmental protection 40.3
Contributions to the international community 26.3
Peace and its importance 67.7
Individual freedom and its importance 12.6
Social equality and its importance 24.0
Education, culture, science & technology 25.2
Economic affluence 15.3
O/A 0.1
NIP + N/A 4.9

Q: The Constitution has a procedural stipulation for amendments.
But there is no law governing a referendum or any other specific
procedures for constitutional reform. Are you in favor of
establishing a law to stipulate such procedures?

Yes 68.7
No 7.0
Can't say which 20.3
N/A 4.1

Q: There are now proposals to introduce a framework of larger
regional administrative units reorganizing and integrating the
nation's 47 prefectures into "doshu" units. The idea is to
transfer government roles-excluding diplomacy and defense-to each
new administrative entity called "Do" or "Shu." Are you in favor
of introducing this "doshu" system?

Yes 17.5
Yes to a certain degree 19.3
No to a certain degree 24.1
No 25.2
N/A 13.9

Polling methodology
Date of survey: March 11-12.
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all
eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a
stratified two-stage random-sampling basis).
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-
face interviews.

TOKYO 00001818 008 OF 012


Number of valid respondents: 1,812 persons (60.4% )
Breakdown of respondents: Male-50% , female-50% ; persons in
their 20s-12% , 30s-13% , 40s-17% , 50s-22% , 60s-20% , 70 and
over-16% ; big cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated
cities)-22% , major cities (with a population of more than
300,000)-19% , medium-size cities (with a population of more than
100,000)-23% , small cities (with a population of less than
100,000)-22% , towns and villages-14% .

(5) Editorial: Opinion poll reveals growing awareness of need for
constitutional revision

YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full)
April 4, 2006

The unsettled international situation and circumstances
nces
surrounding Japan's national security have led voters to seek
change and support revision of the Constitution, including
Article 9.

In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey on the Constitution,
56% of respondents answered that the nation's top law should be
amended. This marks the ninth consecutive year that more than 50%
of respondents have supported constitutional reform. As one of
the reasons, they cited Japan's inability to deal appropriately
with new issues, such as international contributions, under the
present Constitution. In fact, this has been the top reason since

1993.

The international situation has become more fluid since the end
of the Cold War in 1989. New threats surfaced with the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Given the unstable
international situation, the perception that Japan has to fulfill
its responsibilities and play its role for the sake of peace and
stability in the world has gradually taken root among the public.

In the survey, more than 70% of the respondents said that the
Constitution should clearly mention the existence of the Self-
Defense Forces. More than half indicated that Japan should be
allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense. Among
those who supported constitutional reform, 64% favored revising
Article 9.

The volatility of the international situation has also become
prominent in East Asia in recent years. The environment
surrounding Japan's national security has become increasingly
unstable and opaque due to such factors as North Korea's nuclear
and missile development and China's rapid military buildup.

Voters seem to have a common view forged by historic changes in
the international situation that the Constitution should
incorporate a national security clause not only for fulfilling
Japan's responsibility of international contribution but also for
the defense of Japan.

In pursing such a course of action, it is natural for a "normal
country" to define the nature and role of the SDF in the
Constitution.

For the SDF to function smoothly on international peacekeeping
missions and for the security of the country and Asia, Japan must
enhance cooperative relations with the United States in the

TOKYO 00001818 009 OF 012


spirit of the Japan-US alliance. The realignment of US forces in
Japan will require closer and more flexible cooperation between
the two countries.

If Japan cannot exercise the right of collective defense, the
Japan-US alliance will not be able to fully function.

Needless to say, revision of the Constitution does not mean a
revival of militarism. In the opinion poll, nearly 70% said the
Constitution should underscore the "importance of peace." This
pacifism is not the sort seen in the old movements that opposed
the SDF and called for protection of the Constitution. Society
must pursue proactive pacifism that utilizes the SDF to help
create peace.

The Liberal Democratic Party compiled its own draft revision of
the Constitution last fall, featuring inclusion of the national
right to possess a military for self-defense (jieigun). In its
set of constitutional proposals, Minshuto (Democratic Party of
Japan) also called for constitutional revision to allow Japan to
use force under some conditions, such as participation in
activities of UN multilateral forces.

It is the duty of the nation's politicians to come up with a new
constitution that will match the needs of the times without
lagging behind public awareness.

(6) Interview with Shinzo Abe, chief cabinet secretary: Policies
should be worked out by government

NIHON KEIZAI (Page
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001818

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 04/05/06


INDEX:

(1) Poll on USFJ realignment

(2) Futenma relocation Henoko point plan: One thousand angry
residents living under planned flight route hold rally; Speakers
complain about noise pollution

(3) US force realignment following a wild path (Part 1): Based on
mutual distrust, Japan and the US trying to prevent each other
from maximizing advantages

(4) Poll on Japan's Constitution

(5) Editorial: Opinion poll reveals growing awareness of need for
constitutional revision

(6) Interview with Shinzo Abe, chief cabinet secretary: Policies
should be worked out by government

(7) Japan ratcheting up pressure on North Korea at Chief Cabinet
Secretary Abe's initiative, with review of tax breaks for pro-

SIPDIS
Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan;
Ministries and agencies working together to uncover illegal acts

ARTICLES:

(1) Poll on USFJ realignment

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2006

Questions & Answers
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female)

Q: There's a plan to move about 8,000 US troops from Okinawa to
Guam in order to alleviate Okinawa's base-hosting burden. The US
has asked Japan to pay about 900 billion yen, or 75% of its
estimated cost of new facilities there for them. Do you think
it's unavoidable for the Japanese government to share the cost?

T P M F
Yes 38 47 31
No 53 47 58

Q: The city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture polled its
residents to ask whether they would accept the planned
redeployment of a carrier-based air wing to Iwakuni base for the

realignment of US forces in Japan. In that plebiscite, about 90%
voted against it. Meanwhile, there's an opinion that matters
related to the nation's diplomacy and security are not
appropriate for a plebiscite. Do you agree with this opinion?

Yes 20 26 14
No 68 67 70

(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "No answer"
omitted.

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted April 1-2 over the
telephone with the aim of calling a total of 1,000 voters across
the nation on a computer-aided random digit sampling (RDS) basis.
Answers were obtained from 1,092 persons.

TOKYO 00001818 002 OF 012



(2) Futenma relocation Henoko point plan: One thousand angry
residents living under planned flight route hold rally; Speakers
complain about noise pollution

ASAHI (Page 29) (Slightly abridged)
April 5, 2006

Residents of Ginoza Village yesterday held a rally in opposition
to the plan to relocate US forces' Futenma Air Station to Henoko
Point, Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. The village is located
approximately 8 kilometers southwest of Henoko Point, right under
the planned flight route. The relocation issue is now at the
final stage, but the government is continuing talks only with
Nago. Put in the dark, another affected local community is
increasingly becoming impatient and indignant.

An implementation committee organized by senior village officials
and members of the village assembly hosted the rally. About 1,000
villagers out of 5,300 took part in it, according to the
organizer.

In the village, residents of Matsuda Ward are especially
concerned over the Henoko Point plan, because the ward is located
right under the planned flight route.

Residents there are already suffering from noise from US forces'
helicopter drills. Reiko Toma (47) is the mother of one son and
two daughters. She made a speech at the rally as a representative
of the residents. She noted, "There is constant noise whether it
is early in the morning or late at night. The noise is so loud
that you cannot hear the television."

Fishermen are also deeply concerned. Minoru Koki (41) sees a
convoy of US forces' amphibious vehicles coming and going in a
lagoon in the ward. He expressed concern: "Military drills will
destroy the coral. If the sea around this area is reclaimed, it
would cause a great deal of damage to the fishing industry."

The village assembly last November adopted a motion opposing the
Henoko Point plan. There are, however, no signs of the government
altering the relocation plan substantially. On the contrary,
under the government's draft revision, including moving the
planned runway site counterclockwise 10 degrees, the flight route
will come even closer to the village. The flight route will be
right over the village under the plan presented by Nago, too.

Ward Mayor Akinobu Toma (43) expressed his growing sense of
alarm: "Looking at talks between Nago and the government, I feel
that they do not mind sacrificing Matsuda Ward. If we keep mum
about the development of the talks, things will go from bad to
worse for us."

(3) US force realignment following a wild path (Part 1): Based on
mutual distrust, Japan and the US trying to prevent each other
from maximizing advantages

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Abridged slightly)
April 2, 2006

Tokyo and Washington began talks on the realignment of US forces
in Japan in November 2003. Washington's realignment plan centered
on two points: (1) relocating the US Army 1st Corps headquarters

TOKYO 00001818 003 OF 012


from Washington to Japan and (2) transferring the Fifth Air Force
Command at Yokota Air Base, which houses USFJ headquarters, to
Guam.

The global transformation of US forces originated from 9/11,
which exposed the need for homeland security of the United States
for the first time. The incident prompted Washington to aim at
effectively defending the US mainland and blocking terrorists
from entering the US while constraining military spending.

The news that the Fifth Air Force may disappear shocked Japan.

To begin with, the Fifth Air Force has no power to command a
major battle. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the force has
become an integral part in the defense of Japan. It has also
turned into a mere shell due to major cutback on staff officers.
In time of an emergency in Japan, the Hawaii-based commander in
chief, US Pacific Command, is required to take command.

It is proper to regard the Fifth Air Force commander as a
"peacetime administrator" rather than a "wartime commander."

Japanese and US defense officials were all aware that US forces
in Japan were nothing more than a paper tiger, and they feared
that the vague security system would come to light.

The Foreign Ministry rejected the US realignment plan. In the
event of an armed attack on Japan, the 40,000-strong US Army 1st
Corps is required to rush to Japan ahead of other forces. Known
for its outstanding combat power, the area of responsibility of
the US Army's 1st Corps extends to the Indian Ocean. Japan
rejected the US plan by citing the bilateral security treaty's
Far East clause, which stipulates that US forces in Japan can
make sallies to the area up to the north of the Philippines.

The relocation of the 1st Corps headquarters was eventually
shelved, and the focus in talks was shifted to closer cooperation
between US forces in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces and
Japan's call for alleviating burdens on municipalities hosting US
bases.

US officials commented angrily at times: "Reducing the burden?
The word 'burden' really applies to the United States in
describing Iraq, where so many young American men and women are
losing their lives."

Looking back on talks with the US, a Japanese official said, "We
acutely felt America's frustration with US force realignment
deviating from its original purpose."

The viewpoint of defending Japan was visibly lacking. A Ground
Self-Defense Force official took this view: "Conflicts could
occur in the Asia-Pacific (a region producing terrorists). The
planned relocation of the 1st Corps reflected the US Army's
desire to command troops from a spot closer to the region." US
force realignment is intended to strengthen the role of the
Japanese archipelago, which is serving as frontline command.

After moving the 1st Corps headquarters to Japan, the US
reportedly intends to upgrade the rank of its commander from
lieutenant general to general and to place US Forces South Korea
under US Forces Japan.


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The transformation of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which was
originally intended for the defense of Japan, is now obvious.

There was every reason for Defense Agency officials to underscore
the need to review the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense
Cooperation (which allows the two countries to cooperate within
the scope of regional crises).

When bilateral talks stalled in February last year, the US
proposed changing the 1st Corps headquarters to a new US Army
headquarters known as Unit of Employment X (UEx) with no area of
responsibility. In reaction, the Defense Agency said: "Japan does
not need two ground forces. We would like to see US Marines
removed from Okinawa to overseas."

The proposed UEx might infringe on the Far East clause, and the
Defense Agency insisted on resolving the Okinawa base issue.

Looking back, a Japanese negotiator noted:

"The acceptance of the 1st Corps had to come in hand in hand with
alleviating the burden on Okinawa. The two countries eventually
forced themselves to agree to implementing everything that is
mentioned in their interim report -- from the relocation of
Futenma Air Station to the transfer of a carrier-borne aircraft
unit from Atsugi to Iwakuni -- although they might force greater
burdens on local communities."

Such developments offer a glimpse into the two countries'
determination not to allow each other to monopolize the benefits.
US force realignment talks also exposed mutual distrust behind
the Japan-US alliance, which is supposed to rest on relations of
trust.

Five months have passed since Tokyo and Washington produced their
interim report on US force realignment. In anticipation of
greater burdens, base-hosting municipalities have hardened their
attitude, and questions remain about close cooperation between
the US military and the SDF. Rough-and-ready bilateral talks also
forced the two countries to defer their deadline for the final
report from March 31 to April or later.

(4) Poll on Japan's Constitution

YOMIURI (Pages 15) (Full)
April 4, 2006

Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage.)

Q: What's your interest in the Constitution of Japan? If there's
anything you are particularly interested in, pick as many as you
like from among those listed below.

The Emperor and imperial household 30.9
Japan's war renunciation, Self-Defense Forces 49.3
Equality, discrimination 16.4
Freedom of speech, press, and all other forms of expression
11.1
Information disclosure 16.4
Privacy protection 25.3
The right to live in peace, social welfare 16.9
Environmental disruption 24.0

TOKYO 00001818 005 OF 012


The rights to assemble, demonstrate, and strike 2.0
Electoral system 12.7
The right of access to the courts 12.5
Official visits to Yasukuni Shrine 27.8
Constitutional revision 16.2
Separation of the three powers of administration, legislation,
and judicature 4.1
Local autonomy 12.0
The Diet's bicameral system 8.4
The process and background of establishing the Constitution
5.7
Other answers (O/A) + nothing in particular (NIP) + no answer
(N/A) 9.1

Q: These days, the Diet and various political parties have been
pursuing debate on the Constitution. Do you favor this move?

Yes 42.2
Yes to a certain degree 29.2
No to a certain degree 11.0
No 10.2
N/A 7.5

Q: Do you think it would be better to amend the Constitution?

Yes 55.5
No 32.2
N/A 12.3

Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question)
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed
below.

Because it's a US-imposed constitution 33.6
In order to expressly stipulate Japan's right of self-defense and
the existence of the Self-Defense Forces 32.5
Because there are too many cases claiming rights while neglecting
obligations 25.3
Because the conventional way of reading or applying the
Constitution's provisions would lead to confusion if and when
there is a need to meet situational changes 32.9
Because Japan is expected to make international contributions,
and there are also various challenges Japan cannot meet under its
present-day constitution. 47.4
O/A 1.5
N/A 1.9

Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question)
Why? Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed
below.

Because the Constitution has already taken root in the nation
36.3
Because the Constitution is of a pacifist nature, Japan can be
proud of it 51.5
Because the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and
democracy 26.7
Because the Constitution can be interpreted or applied in a
flexible way with the change of the times 20.5
Because revising the Constitution may pave the way for Japan to
turn into a military power 34.2
O/A 1.0
N/A 0.7

TOKYO 00001818 006 OF 012



Q: The Constitution's Article 9 stipulates that Japan renounces
war and will never maintain any war potential. The government has
so far responded to relevant problems with its interpretation and
application of the article. What do you think the government
should do about Article 9 from now on? Pick only one from among
those listed below.

The government should continue with its interpretation and
operation of Article 9 32.6
The government's conventional way of responding to problems with
its constitutional interpretation and operation has now reached
its limit, so Article 9 should be amended 39.3
The government should strictly abide by Article 9 and should not
respond to problems via interpretation or operation 20.9
O/A 0.2
N/A 7.0

Q: The Constitution's Article 9 does not directly stipulate
anything about having an organization for self-defense. Do you
think the Constitution should expressly stipulate the Self-
Defense Forces' existence?

Yes 46.8
Yes to a certain degree 24.4
No to a certain degree 11.4
No 11.3
N/A 6.1

Q: The government has been taking the position that although
Japan has the right to collective self-defense, the Constitution
does not allow Japan to exercise this right. What do you think
about this? Pick only one that is closest to your opinion from
among those listed below.

The Constitution should be amended so that Japan can exercise the
right of collective self-defense 26.9
The Constitution should be reinterpreted so that Japan can
exercise the right of collective self-defense 22.7
Japan should continue as it has done and need not be allowed to
use the right of collective self-defense 43.5
O/A 0.1
N/A 6.7

Q: The Constitution stipulates the Diet shall consist of two
houses, namely the House of Representatives (lower chamber) and
the House of Councillors (upper chamber). There are various
arguments about this bicameral parliamentary system. Pick only
one that is closest to your opinion.

The House of Councillors should be abolished, leaving only one
chamber 27.8
The two-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of
Representatives' role and authority should be strengthened
8.8
The two-chamber system should be maintained, and the House of
Councillors' role and authority should be strengthened 16.9
The Diet should maintain its current two-chamber system as is
40.7
O/A 0.8
N/A 4.9

Q: If there's anything you think it would be better to revise in

TOKYO 00001818 007 OF 012


the Constitution or add to the Constitution, pick as many as you
like from among those listed below.

The Emperor's status 24.2
Japan's maintenance of armed forces for self-defense 27.4
Proactive international cooperation 21.9
Right to know government information 18.3
Privacy protection 27.6
Respect for family 11.5
The right to live in a good environment 27.6
The prime minister's strengthened powers to deal with
emergencies, etc. 12.4
The lower and upper houses' respective roles 13.5
Central and local government roles 25.2
Establishment of a constitutional court 4.5
O/A 0.1
NIP 16.4
N/A 2.9

Q: What idea do you think it would be desirable to emphasize in
the Constitution? Pick up to three from among those listed below.

Tradition, history 29.2
Nature, environmental protection 40.3
Contributions to the international community 26.3
Peace and its importance 67.7
Individual freedom and its importance 12.6
Social equality and its importance 24.0
Education, culture, science & technology 25.2
Economic affluence 15.3
O/A 0.1
NIP + N/A 4.9

Q: The Constitution has a procedural stipulation for amendments.
But there is no law governing a referendum or any other specific
procedures for constitutional reform. Are you in favor of
establishing a law to stipulate such procedures?

Yes 68.7
No 7.0
Can't say which 20.3
N/A 4.1

Q: There are now proposals to introduce a framework of larger
regional administrative units reorganizing and integrating the
nation's 47 prefectures into "doshu" units. The idea is to
transfer government roles-excluding diplomacy and defense-to each
new administrative entity called "Do" or "Shu." Are you in favor
of introducing this "doshu" system?

Yes 17.5
Yes to a certain degree 19.3
No to a certain degree 24.1
No 25.2
N/A 13.9

Polling methodology
Date of survey: March 11-12.
Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all
eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a
stratified two-stage random-sampling basis).
Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-
face interviews.

TOKYO 00001818 008 OF 012


Number of valid respondents: 1,812 persons (60.4% )
Breakdown of respondents: Male-50% , female-50% ; persons in
their 20s-12% , 30s-13% , 40s-17% , 50s-22% , 60s-20% , 70 and
over-16% ; big cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated
cities)-22% , major cities (with a population of more than
300,000)-19% , medium-size cities (with a population of more than
100,000)-23% , small cities (with a population of less than
100,000)-22% , towns and villages-14% .

(5) Editorial: Opinion poll reveals growing awareness of need for
constitutional revision

YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full)
April 4, 2006

The unsettled international situation and circumstances
nces
surrounding Japan's national security have led voters to seek
change and support revision of the Constitution, including
Article 9.

In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey on the Constitution,
56% of respondents answered that the nation's top law should be
amended. This marks the ninth consecutive year that more than 50%
of respondents have supported constitutional reform. As one of
the reasons, they cited Japan's inability to deal appropriately
with new issues, such as international contributions, under the
present Constitution. In fact, this has been the top reason since

1993.

The international situation has become more fluid since the end
of the Cold War in 1989. New threats surfaced with the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Given the unstable
international situation, the perception that Japan has to fulfill
its responsibilities and play its role for the sake of peace and
stability in the world has gradually taken root among the public.

In the survey, more than 70% of the respondents said that the
Constitution should clearly mention the existence of the Self-
Defense Forces. More than half indicated that Japan should be
allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense. Among
those who supported constitutional reform, 64% favored revising
Article 9.

The volatility of the international situation has also become
prominent in East Asia in recent years. The environment
surrounding Japan's national security has become increasingly
unstable and opaque due to such factors as North Korea's nuclear
and missile development and China's rapid military buildup.

Voters seem to have a common view forged by historic changes in
the international situation that the Constitution should
incorporate a national security clause not only for fulfilling
Japan's responsibility of international contribution but also for
the defense of Japan.

In pursing such a course of action, it is natural for a "normal
country" to define the nature and role of the SDF in the
Constitution.

For the SDF to function smoothly on international peacekeeping
missions and for the security of the country and Asia, Japan must
enhance cooperative relations with the United States in the

TOKYO 00001818 009 OF 012


spirit of the Japan-US alliance. The realignment of US forces in
Japan will require closer and more flexible cooperation between
the two countries.

If Japan cannot exercise the right of collective defense, the
Japan-US alliance will not be able to fully function.

Needless to say, revision of the Constitution does not mean a
revival of militarism. In the opinion poll, nearly 70% said the
Constitution should underscore the "importance of peace." This
pacifism is not the sort seen in the old movements that opposed
the SDF and called for protection of the Constitution. Society
must pursue proactive pacifism that utilizes the SDF to help
create peace.

The Liberal Democratic Party compiled its own draft revision of
the Constitution last fall, featuring inclusion of the national
right to possess a military for self-defense (jieigun). In its
set of constitutional proposals, Minshuto (Democratic Party of
Japan) also called for constitutional revision to allow Japan to
use force under some conditions, such as participation in
activities of UN multilateral forces.

It is the duty of the nation's politicians to come up with a new
constitution that will match the needs of the times without
lagging behind public awareness.

(6) Interview with Shinzo Abe, chief cabinet secretary: Policies
should be worked out by government

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
April 4, 2006

-- What sort of nation are you aiming for?

"Soon after the end of World War II, the government set up the
goal of making Japan once again a country free from concerns
about a lack of clothing, food, and housing. I think this goal
has been achieved satisfactorily. I want to make Japan into a
country whose people can be proud. Japan must be a nation that is
trusted, depended on, and respected by the rest of the world.

"Japan has won a certain level of appreciation for its
considerable financial contributions, such as official
development assistance (ODA),but it might be necessary to
consider a little more seriously providing other types of aid,
for instance, assistance to settle disputes or to rebuild peace."

-- Are you going to maintain the policy of establishing a "small
government"?

"We advocated the slogan of building a 'small government' for the
first time in the general election campaigning last year. A
`small government' can be interpreted as a simple and effective
government. Private-sector vitality should be utilized as much as
possible. It is also necessary to keep a close check to see if
government funds have not been spent wastefully.

"On social security, keeping some safeguards is necessary.
Although it is important to thoroughly streamline what can be
done, we must not allow the quality of benefits to be undermined.
We will not establish a society in which the people must take
care of themselves with their own funds after retirement."

TOKYO 00001818 010 OF 012



--Some criticize Japan as a bureaucrat-led state.

"It is bureaucrats' task to provide options, while making a final
judgment is the government's duty. Our party assumed political
power by setting forth quite vague policies, while government
offices worked out details for the policies without giving other
options.

"However, the government has presented policies it should take,
though it exchanges views with government offices in
Kasumigaseki. The government is likely to seek to offer some
additional options. The government should venture into
(government offices) with a totally fresh mind-set and should
work out policies based on that. The policymaking process must be
revealed to the people.

-- What is necessary in order to strengthen the functions of the
Prime Minister's Office?

"The National Security Council did not work satisfactorily as an
arena for discussing diplomatic and security issues in a
comprehensive manner. The panel should meet more frequently to
make its presence more significant. It is also necessary to
enhance the function of the staff. It is vital to set up a
strategically and politically influential security or economic
cooperation council."

-- What role do you think Japan should play in Asia?

"In mapping out Asia policy, Japanese people, with tunnel vision,
tend to focus only on East Asia, China, and South Korea, but
having a wider field of vision is necessary. Japan should
consider how influential it is in Asia under this context.

"Spreading common values is necessary, such as freedom,
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It will also be
imperative for Japan to hold an annual conference, for example,
at the foreign ministry level, with countries that share common
values, including India and Australia, and joined also by the US.
In addition, it is necessary to speed up negotiations to conclude
an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Southeast Asia."

"How are you going to promote policy toward China?

-- "China is one of the key platforms in Asia (for Japan). That
nation is Japan's indispensable economic partner, and both
countries have profited from Japan's exports to and investment in
China. To be sure, China has constituted a destabilizing factor
in the region. China has increased its national defense budget by
double-digits for the 18th consecutive year. That nation does not
share such basic values as freedom and human rights. The rule of
law has yet to be established, either.

"We have kept the door open (to China). One nation absolutely
should not cut off talks due to a single problem. I hope China
will take a step forward. There is still a risk over historical
perceptions, but politicians must hammer out some measures to
contain the risk. Dialogue is the best way for Japan and China to
protect the foundation of their relations."

(7) Japan ratcheting up pressure on North Korea at Chief Cabinet
Secretary Abe's initiative, with review of tax breaks for pro-

SIPDIS

TOKYO 00001818 011 OF 012


Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan;
Ministries and agencies working together to uncover illegal acts

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged)
April 4, 2006

The Japanese government has begun taking action to boost pressure
on North Korea. The aim is to extract concessions from North
Korea on the abduction issue. The leading actor in this move is
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe. But the move is meeting with
a strong backlash from Pyongyang, which has described the
situation as entering "a dangerous stage." In the previous round
of government-to-government talks, Tokyo and Pyongyang agreed to
resume dialogue at an early date, but when it will be reopened
remains to be seen. The psychological war between the two
countries is only escalating.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications yesterday
issued to local governments a notice dated April 1 regarding tax
breaks for facilities owned by the pro-Pyongyang General
Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun). The
issuance followed the Fukuoka High Court's ruling in February
denying Kumamoto City's property tax reduction for one of the
Chongryun facilities, which the court said did not serve the
public. The MIC notice places Chongryun-affiliated facilities on
the list of the targets for a review of the tax breaks.

Ministry officials concerned had been reluctant about specifying
Chongryun in the list, but their opposition was brushed off by
Abe and Senior Vice Minister Yoshihide Suga.

On April 3, a law-enforcement team composed of senior officials
from six ministries and agencies held a plenary session and
discussed such measures as prevention of illegal exports of
products convertible to military purposes. The team was
established at the request of Abe to boost pressure on North
Korea by strictly applying existing laws to that country.

The Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) is also showing
signs of shifting its emphasis to North Korea as evidenced by the
recent replacement of the cabinet intelligence director, the key
post for intelligence analysis in Kantei. The official who
assumed the post as of April 1 was Hideshi Mitani, former
director of the National Policy Agency's Foreign Affairs and
Intelligence Department. There was a recommendation for an
official from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry for
the post, but Abe chose Mitani from among several candidates,
giving high marks to him for his performance as an expert on the
North Korean situation. This appointment was unusual in view of
Mitani being younger than the past officials who had been picked
for the post.

Mitani served as secretary to then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori,
and he and Abe assisted Mori together. Mitani was also a member
of the law-enforcement team's parent body, the informal task
force under the supervision of Abe.

The government will possibly next week release the results of the
DNA analysis that will determine whether the man alleged to be
the former husband of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North
Korean agents, is a South Korean national also abducted by North
Korean agents. This analysis has become possible in Japan owing
to Abe's efforts made to obtain cooperation from the South Korean

TOKYO 00001818 012 OF 012


Embassy in Tokyo.

Abe firmly believes that Japan's dialogue approach is
insufficient to prompt concessions from North Korea. From a
strategic point of view, he thinks it is necessary to bring North
Korea to the negotiating table while falling in line with the
United States, which is intensifying pressure on the North by
using financial sanctions and the human rights issue.

North Korea is becoming increasingly belligerent toward Japan and
the US. According to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean
media denounced Japan's North Korea policy on March 26: "It has
entered a dangerous phase. If it boosts its hostility policy,
tough measures will be taken against it."

Pyongyang has resisted not only dialogue with Japan but it also
has refused to return to the six-nation talks. But given Chinese
President Hu Jintao's planned meeting with US President Bush in
Washington on April 20, "There is a possibility of the six-party
talks and Japan-DPRK dialogue being resumed as early as in May,
if China mediates between the US and North Korea," a government
official commented.

SCHIEFFER