DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/05/06

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 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