JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/10/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001931

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/10/06


Index:

1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule

6-party delegates in Tokyo:
4) Assistant Secretary of State Hill nixes US-DPRK dialogue
5) US delegate calls for North Korea to unconditionally come
back to 6-party talks
6) US, North Korea at tug of war
7) US teaming up with Japan, ROK to resume 6-party talks
8) Japan also urges North Korea to sit down at negotiating
table, but Pyongyang refuses

China, ROK ties:
9) President Bush wants Japan to improve relations with China,
ROK
10) Prime Minister Koizumi left out of info loop over diplomat's
suicide in Shanghai
11) Japan, China to resume ruling party talks in October

Defense issues:
12) Prime Minister Koizumi, JDA Minister Nukaga concur on
expediting solution to cost sharing for Marine relocation from
Okinawa to Guam
13) JDA chief estimates Japan's Marine relocation cost share at
several hundred billion yen
14) Japan mulls over 30% in cost sharing for Marine relocation
to Guam
15) Tokyo to make decision this month on Guam relocation cost
16) Gov't to renew previous cabinet decision on Futenma
relocation
17) 2 airstrips for only 3 airplanes: JDA
18) USFJ realignment talks to reach watershed in a week or two:
JDA chief
19) Prime Minister Koizumi willing to meet, but Okinawa Gov.
Inamine reluctant

Political issues & opinion poll:
20) Class-A war criminals unqualified at Yasukuni Shrine: DPJ
President Ichiro Ozawa
21) 56% hold high hopes for DPJ President Ozawa in Yomiuri poll
22) Yomiuri poll shows support rate for Koizumi cabinet rises to
56%
23) Ozawa on stage, but public support for DPJ flat in Fuji-
Sankei poll

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi & Mainichi:
France announces decision to rescind a new employment law

Yomiuri:
Suicide of Japanese diplomat at Consulate General in Shanghai:
Cabinet Information Research Office report that mentioned fear of
leakage of official secrets did not reach prime minister

Nihon Keizai:
Construction and Transport Ministry to release quoted prices of

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real estate quarterly

Sankei:
Sankei-FNN poll: No sharp increase in support rate for Ozawa-led
Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan); Abe takes lead over other
contenders to succeed Koizumi

Tokyo Shimbun:
Supreme Court says on lawsuit against Janome Machine Co. that
payment for "consideration" is equivalent to payoff, noting, "The
company is responsible for compensation"

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Personal information: Inadequate protection is unacceptable
(2) Protectionism: US is highly responsible

Mainichi:
(1) Abolition of the nominated bidder system: Other government
agencies should follow the MLIT
(2) Palestinian situation: Caution needed on "starvation"
strategy

Yomiuri:
(1) Salaries for local public servants: Problems not meeting the
changes of the times are conspicuous
(2) Disclosure of national life insurance companies'
information: Management shift needed to attach importance to
policyholders

Nihon Keizai:
(1) Solution to social disparities can be found in growth and
reform

Sankei:
(1) Financial contributions to UN: Japan should explain the
adequacy of its proposal
(2) Baseball player Kanemoto's world record: Significant record
proves him to be an iron man

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Futenma relocation: Need to listen to voices of Okinawa
residents
(2) Legal assistance system needs to be made reliable for every
citizen

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, April 9

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Spent whole day at his official residence.

Prime Minister's schedule, April 10

09:51
Attended the National Spring Road Safety Campaign Central
Convention held at an elementary school in Ebisu.


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10:55
Returned to Kantei.

11:29
Met with defense chief Nukaga, his deputy Moriya, and others in
the presence of Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe and his deputy
Futahashi.

15:57
Met with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Japan.

17:03
Met in the Diet building with DPJ President Ozawa, Vice President
Kan, Secretary General Hatoyama, Diet Affairs Committee chief
Watanabe, and others, in the presence of LDP Secretary General
Takebe. Afterward, attended a party executive meeting.

17:49
Attended an IT Headquarters meeting at Kantei.

18:57
Returned to his residence.

4) US Assistant Secretary of State Hill turns down dialogue with
Pyongyang; Individual talks continue between delegates to six-
party talks

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged)
April 11, 2006

Major chief delegates to the six-party talks on North Korea's
nuclear ambitions yesterday actively engaged in multilateral
talks, such as meetings between China and South Korea, China and
North Korea, and Japan and the US. Thus, they intensively
discussed the issue of restarting the six-party talks, which have
been suspended since last November. US Assistant Secretary of
State Christopher Hill was expected to arrive in Japan yesterday
afternoon. The greatest focus of attention is whether US-North
Korea talks will take place.

Hill categorically said at a Tokyo hotel, "Since Pyongyang
insists on its position of boycotting the six-party talks, I will
not meet with the North Korean delegate." He thus rejected talks
with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, the delegate from North
Korea.

Hill reiterated his intention not to hold a US-North Korea talks
under the present circumstances, saying after a dinner meeting
with the delegates from Japan and South Korea, "The point is
whether North Korea will return to the six-party talks or not."

Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi yesterday told a press
conference, "North Korea has not yet presented anything that
would allow us to take an optimistic view regarding restarting
the six-party talks." He added, "There are no prospects for
realizing US-North Korea talks." South Korean negotiator Chun
Young Woo said, "The current situation is considerably difficult.
I think all concerned parties need patience."

Kim bilaterally met with the chief delegates from Japan, South
Korea, and China April 8-10. Prior to a dinner meeting with the
Chinese delegate yesterday evening, he rejected the idea of

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restarting the six-party talks, noting, "I have no intention of
taking part in the talks while the US financial sanctions are in
place."

5) US chief delegate to six-party talks Hill strongly urges
Pyongyang to return to negotiating table unconditionally

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, US chief delegate
to the six-party talks, yesterday morning arrived at Narita
Airport and told reporters: "It appears that North Korea has not
yet decided whether to return to the six-party talks. At present,
I have no plans to meet with the North Korean delegate." He thus
strongly called on Pyongyang to unconditionally return to the six-
party talks. Referring to the US financial sanctions on the North
over its unlawful activities, Hill also stressed that the
financial sanctions and the restarting of the talks are two
separate issues. He said, "The North understands our position,
and we understand their position."

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan and Vice Foreign
Minister Wu Dawei of China, which hosts the six-party talks, met
in Tokyo yesterday evening. Prior to the meeting, Kim told
reporters: We demand the sanctions be eased. We cannot take part
in the talks as long as the sanctions are in place." He thus
called for the settlement of the sanctions issue.

6) Full-scale maneuverings start between US, North Korea, to seek
breakthrough on restarting six-party talks

ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

In an effort to reach a breakthrough on restarting the stalled
six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, negotiators
gathered in Tokyo yesterday and started full-scale maneuverings.
The United States has called on North Korea to unconditionally
return to the negotiating table, while North Korea has urged the
US to make concessions by resorting to every possible tactic.
Whether the six-party talks will be resumed at an early date
hinges on a crucial meeting between the US and North Korea.

The North Korean delegation, including Foreign Vice Minister Kim
Kye Gwan, arrived in Japan on April 7. Responding to questions
from reporters prior to a China-North Korea meeting yesterday,
Kim said, "This is a good chance, so it would be nice for me to
be able to meet (with US delegate Christopher Hill),"
unexpectedly showing a flexible stance.

However, hearing that Hill had said: "North Korea's return to the
six-party talks is the precondition for the US to hold a meeting
with North Korea," his attitude completely changed. Kim stated:
"(To resume the six-party talks),the US knows what it needs to
do."

But North Korea's real desire is to negotiate directly with the
US. With a meeting with Hill as his main purpose, Kim came to
Tokyo.

Meanwhile, the US has maintained a consistent stance this time.

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Hill said: "I think there is nothing left to say to North Korea."
Hill met with Kim in Beijing this January, and in March, a US-
North Korea meeting was held in New York. "Despite such efforts,
North Korea took no action." Such feelings can be detected from
his words. Japanese and South Korean government officials have
also urged North Korea to take a flexible stance, by telling
North Korean delegates: "It would be difficult to bring about a
US-North Korea meeting in Tokyo." Even so, the US also cannot
give up on the six-party framework.

7) Japan, US, South Korea confirm cooperation for resuming six-
party talks

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
April 11, 2006

The chief delegates of Japan, the United States, and South Korea
to the six-party talks on North Korean nuclear programs confirmed
in a meeting last night in Tokyo that the three countries would
call on North Korea to return to the negotiating table as early
as possible. But the prospects for US-North Korea negotiations
remain unclear, since the gulf has yet to be bridged between the
US, which has called for a resumption of the talks without any
conditions, and the North, which has insisted the US lift the
financial sanctions on it before restarting them.

Attending last night's meeting were Kenichiro Sasae, director
general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs
Bureau, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, and
South Korean top envoy Chun Young Woo. After the meeting, Sasae
stated, "The three countries will make efforts to have North
Korea return to the negotiating table." Hill insisted that the
six-party talks and the financial sanctions were two separate
matters.

8) Japan urges North Korea to return to six-party talks; North
rejects call, insisting on end to sanctions

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Kenichiro Sasae, director general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian
and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, yesterday afternoon met with North
Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan for about two hours at
the annex of the Foreign Ministry's Azabudai Guest House. During
the talks, Sasae urged North Korea to return to the six-party
talks at an early date. However, Kim did not show any sign of
responding to the call. Emerging from the meeting, Sasae told
reporters, "There are at present no prospects for restarting the
stalled six-party talks."

Yesterday's meeting between the two was the second, following the
one on April 8. The meeting then focused on the abduction issue,
but yesterday they discussed the nuclear issue.

The US had earlier announced that it had no intention of holding
talks with Pyongyang unless it declares it will come back to the
six-party talks. With this in mind, Sasae called on Kim to
declare that North Korea would return to the negotiating table at
an early date. However, Kim reportedly stuck to his usual
position that as long as the US financial sanctions on Pyongyang
remain in place, the North will not return to the six-party

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talks.

Sasae later met with US chief delegate Christopher Hill and chief
South Korean delegate Chun Young Woo and held trilateral talks.
The three negotiators reaffirmed their intention to work together
in order to restart the six-party talks.

9) US president calls for improvement in Japan-China relations,
Japan-South Korea ties

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Koji Maruya, Washington

US President George W. Bush delivered a speech on April 10 in
Washington, in which he indicated that better relations between
Japan and China and between Japan and South Korea were desirable.
He expressed his hopes for the promotion of bilateral dialogue
between Japan and China and between Japan and South Korea. He
then revealed that the US would assist in promoting dialogue
between the Asian countries.

Meetings between the top leaders of Japan and China have been
suspended. President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao are
scheduled to meet in Washington on April 20. The expectation is
that the strained Japan-China relations may become a topic of
discussion in the planned US-China summit.

In his speech, Bush also expressed hopes that reform of the
Chinese yuan would achieve results. He hailed an agreement
between the Japanese government and Nago City on the relocation
of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, stressing the move
would strengthen Japan-US defense cooperation.

10) Suicide of Japanese diplomat at Consulate General in
Shanghai: Cabinet Information Research Office's report that
mentioned fear of leakage of official secrets did not reach prime
minister

YOMIURI (Top play) (Lead paragraph)
April 11, 2006

A 46-year-old Japanese diplomat at the Consulate General in
Shanghai committed suicide in May 2004. In order to get to the
bottom of the incident, the Cabinet Information Research Office
(CIRO) conducted an on-the-spot survey two months after the
incident and compiled a report in which it said, "There is a
chance that our country's official secrets were leaked." CIRO
submitted the report to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masahiro
Futahashi, according to information obtained by the Yomiuri
Shimbun. The report concluded that behind the diplomat's suicide,
there seemed to have been blackmail by China's State Security
Ministry, and it urged the government to conduct a through probe
into whether official secrets were leaked. But Prime Minister
Koizumi had been left in the dark about the report for over a
year and a half. There is a strong possibility that a bureaucrat
in the Foreign Ministry decided not to verify whether diplomatic
secrets were leaked. Crisis management in the Prime Minister's

SIPDIS
Official Residence is likely to draw criticism.

11) Japanese ruling coalition, Chinese Communist Party to resume

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exchanges in October

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Hidenao Nakagawa, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
Policy Research Council, held an informal meeting last night with
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi over dinner at a Tokyo
restaurant. The two agreed to hold an exchange in October in
Tokyo between Japan's ruling parties -- the LDP and New Komeito -
- and the Chinese Communist Party. The last session was held in
February in Beijing. The next meeting will likely be held after
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi steps down from office.

12) Prime minister, JDA chief affirm early settlement of Guam
relocation cost issue

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Prime Minister Koizumi yesterday met at his office with Defense
Agency (JDA) Director-General Nukaga, and the two discussed
Japan's share of the cost of the relocation of US Marines from
Okinawa to Guam, a focal point in the ongoing consultations with
the United States. Sharing the view that a reduction in Marines
will help ease the burden on Okinawa Prefecture, as well as on
Japan, and will also lead to enhancing the safety of Japan and
regional security, Koizumi and Nukaga affirmed the government
policy of striving to bring about an early settlement of the
issue.

Late yesterday, Koizumi told reporters: "(I told Nukaga) that if
you think of the need to alleviate the burden of military
facilities on Okinawa, the importance of the Japan-US alliance,
and Japan's national security, you will without fail reach a good
conclusion. I'd like you to have close consultations on the
issue."

Of the total cost of 10 billion dollars estimated by the US,
Washington has asked Tokyo to pay 7.5 billion dollars, but Tokyo
has insisted that its share of the cost should be limited to 3
billion dollars, including loans for the construction of housing
and other facilities. Consultations have continued between the
two countries. Japan is trying to reach an agreement with the US
during the upcoming senior-working-level talks slated for April
13-14.

Nukaga yesterday emphasized the necessity of cost sharing in a
speech in Nagoya: "Japan offered 1 trillion yen at the time of
the Gulf War and is going to provide Iraq with 5 billion dollars.
Given the need to lessen the Okinawa people's burden as quickly
as possible, I think it is not mistaken to pay a portion of the
relocation cost in accordance with our country's abilities."

13) Defense chief Nukaga indicates estimate of several hundred
billion yen for relocating US Marines from Okinawa to Guam

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga stated yesterday
in a speech delivered in Nagoya City, "Considering that Japan

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spent 1 trillion yen for the Gulf War and 500 billion yen for
humanitarian assistance for Iraq, Okinawa's burden of US military
bases should be reduced as quickly as possible." He indicated
that the Japanese government estimated several hundred billion
yen for the relocating of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam, a
major issue in negotiations on the realignment of US forces in
Japan.
Nukaga sought understanding from the audience for Japan's
financial burden for the relocation of US Marines to Guam,
saying, "(The relocation) will reduce Okinawa's and Japan's
burden of US military bases. It is not wrong for Japan to bear
its appropriate share." The Japanese and US governments will hold
an intensive discussion on the issue in an April 13-14 meeting in
Tokyo of their senior foreign and defense officials.

14) Cost of relocating US Marines to Guam; Government decides to
pay over 30%; Japan's share to reach approximately 70%, including
loans

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
April 11, 2006

The government yesterday decided to approve direct outlays from
the general account, a budget item financed with tax money, to
share the costs of relocating US Marines in Okinawa to Guam in
connection with USFJ realignment. It will convey to the US during
bilateral working-level talks of officials responsible for
foreign and defense affairs, which are to restart on April 13,
that Japan is looking into the possibility of paying
approximately 30% of the relocation cost from the general
account. The focus will be on how the US will respond to this
proposal, because it is calling on Japan to bear 75%.

Tokyo and Washington are aiming to reach a final agreement on
USFJ realignment before the end of the month. The Japanese side
wants to speed up negotiations by conveying to the US its
readiness to pay its share directly from the general account,
which it has never referred to in previous talks.

The number of US Marines to be transferred from Okinawa to Guam
is approximately 17,000, including their family members. Japan's
plan is to pay approximately 30% of the relocation cost from the
general account and another 30% or so in loans, using the Japan
Bank for International Cooperation, and to ask the US to pay for
the remaining cost.

The US estimates the total amount of the relocation cost at
approximately 10 billion dollars, of which it is urging Japan to
pay 7.5 billion dollars. The US has presented the breakdown of
the total amount as follows: 7.59 billion dollars for Marine
Corps facilities, 940 million dollars for Navy and Air Force
facilities, and 980 million dollars for off-base facilities.
Japan will ask the US to reduce the total amount as well.

In previous talks with the US, Japan has proposed a plan to pay a
total of approximately 3 billion dollars for the consolidation of
housing facilities for the families of Marines, using a loan
system. Direct payment from the general account will likely be
mainly for the consolidation of daily-life-related
infrastructure.

15) Government decides to bear 30% of Guam relocation cost to

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settle US force realignment issue before end of this month;
Likely to steal attention in Diet in connection with fiscal
reconstruction

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
April 11, 2006

The government has decided to earmark funds directly from the
general account for the relocation of US Marines from Okinawa to
Guam in a bid to settle the US force realignment issue before the
end of this month. An agreement has also been reached with Nago,
the relocation site for Futenma Air Station, on building two
runways. The Guam relocation issue is now the only remaining high
hurdle.

Japan has been avoiding mentioning its share of the relocation
costs for two reasons. One is because the Japan-US Status of
Forces Agreement has no stipulation on financial support for US
base facilities overseas, and the other is because the Finance
Ministry has been reluctant to increase spending amid a heated
debate on spending cuts as a condition for hiking the consumption
tax.

At one point, some in the government had argued that Japan should
bear 40% of the cost, but with Washington's estimate at 10
billion dollars, it has lowered Japan's share to slightly over
30%. Although Japan's direct share still remains fluid, the
government's decision this time suggests that the stage has been
set for a political settlement for a final decision on the US
force realignment issue.

At the same time, the government has to fulfill its
accountability to the public. Although Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi has indicated that he has left the matter entirely to
Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga, direct
disbursements from the general account may escalate into a topic
of contention at the Diet between the ruling and opposition
blocs.

It is the time for Koizumi to directly explain the need for US
force realignment to the people to win their understanding.

16) Government eyes new cabinet decision on Futenma relocation;
Cabinet meeting today to discuss Guam relocation cost

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
April 11, 2006

In order to make a cabinet decision after obtaining Okinawa Gov.
Keiichi Inamine's understanding, the government intends to hold
talks between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the governor,
who is opposed to relocating Futenma Air Station to the coastline
of Camp Schwab, after a US force realignment final report is
produced by Japan and the US later this month.

Koizumi told reporters last night, "I would like to hold talks
with Gov. Inamine to win his cooperation."

Appearing on an NHK program last night, Inamine also said:

"A time will definitely come for me to meet with the prime
minister. At that point, I would like to discuss Okinawa's

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standpoint squarely. But it is not the time to see the prime
minister."

The government made a cabinet decision in December 1999 based on
the original Henoko offshore plan. The government wants to make a
new cabinet decision overriding the 1999 decision after
confirming Okinawa's base realignment and reduction blueprint in
a final report and softening Inamine's stance.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Taro Aso,
Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga, and Finance
Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki are scheduled to hold talks this
morning to discuss the relocation of US Marines from Okinawa to
Guam. They will specifically discuss Japan's share of the
relocation cost ahead of the April 13-14 Japan-US senior-working-
level talks.

17) Defense Agency decides to build additional Futenma runway to
accommodate just three planes

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 11, 2006

The government has decided to build another runway at the Futenma
Air Station relocation site at Camp Schwab to accommodate just
three fixed-wing aircraft, a source revealed yesterday.
Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya admitted
yesterday the costliness of the second runway, saying, "We are
aware of the high cost for it."

A total of 12 KC-130 fixed-wing air tankers will be transferred
from Futenma Air Station to mainland Japan. As a result, two C-12
small liaison planes and one T-39 will remain at Futenma.

Moriya said, "The helicopters (deployed at Futenma Air Station)
will not fly over residential areas." He also revealed that the
government has decided to build two runways in a V-shape to
ensure that the fixed-wing planes will not pass over residential
areas.

The construction of two runways is certain to delay the
government's construction deadline of 2014 and increase the
amount of reclaimed land needed. The new construction period and
cost are unknown, according to the Defense Agency.

Both runways will be 1,800 meters long, including the overrun
portions. The new airfield will become the second US base in
Okinawa to have two runways, following Kadena Air Base.

18) JDA chief: Japan-US talks on US force realignment will enter
an important phase in one or two weeks

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Defense Agency (JDA) Director-General Fukushiro Nukaga yesterday
afternoon delivered a speech in Nagoya, in which he mentioned
Japan-US talks on how to decide on Japan's share of the cost of
relocating US Marines from Okinawa to Guam and indicated his
intention to seek to finalize the talks as swiftly as possible.
He then said: "The cost issue will become a major agenda item
over next one or two weeks."

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19) Futenma relocation: Koizumi willing to meet, Inamine
reluctant

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged)
April 11, 2006

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has indicated that he would like
to meet with Okinawa Prefecture's Governor Keiichi Inamine soon
over the planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station to a coastal area of Camp Schwab in the island
prefecture. "I hope that I can meet with the governor before long
to talk about alleviating Okinawa's burden, developing Okinawa's
economy, and the importance of the bilateral alliance between
Japan and the United States," Koizumi told reporters at his
office yesterday. The premier has so far been negative about
meeting with the governor.

However, Inamine frowned on the idea of meeting with Koizumi at
an early date. "We still cannot meet for now, I think," Inamine
said on an NHK-TV news program yesterday evening. "We're now
still coordinating issues, and I believe that the time will come
for sure when we'll have to meet in that process," Inamine said,
adding: "If the time has come, then I would like to state
Okinawa's stance."

20) In interview, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) head Ozawa
states that Class-A war criminals were "not qualified to be
honored at Yasukuni Shrine"

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Lead paragraph)
April 11, 2006

Minshuto President Ozawa, who assumed the top DPJ post, yesterday
was interviewed by the Mainichi Shimbun at party headquarters.
When asked about the enshrinement of Class-A war criminals at
Yasukuni Shrine, Ozawa again gave a critical view: "From the
beginning, they should not have been enshrined there. That's
wrong." Referring to Class-A war criminals, he stated: "They told
the Japanese people that you should die if you were taken
prisoners. They, however, did not die and were held as prisoners.
That's nonsense. They were not war dead and were not qualified to
be honored at the shrine."

21) Poll: 56%, or 90% of Minshuto supporters, have expectations
for Ozawa

YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
April 11, 2006

A total of 56%of respondents have expectations, either fully or
to some extent, for the new Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan)
head Ichiro Ozawa, while 40% do not expect much from him,
according to a nationwide (interview) survey by the Yomiuri
Shimbun on April 8-9. Among those who said they supported the
largest opposition party, 90% said they expected much of Ozawa.
Public support for Minshuto stood at 14.0%, up 2.9 points over
the previous survey in March (11.1%).

Some 50%of respondents said they believed Ozawa had the ability
to rebuild the party, while 43% gave a negative reply. Among
Minshuto supporters, 76% said Ozawa would be able to resuscitate

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the party.

Asked if Minshuto has the ability to hold the reins of
government, 61% said they did not think Minshuto was capable of
governing, while 30% said that they believed the party was
equipped to take the reins of government. In a (telephone) survey
in early April, just after former Maehara announced his intention
to resign over a bogus e-mail scandal, 67% said "no," and 22%
said, "yes." Asked about the policy stance the opposition party
should take in future Diet sessions, 77% suggested a "stance of
presenting counterproposals," while 16% called for a
"confrontational stance."

22) Cabinet support inches up to 56 %

YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full)
April 11, 2006

Public support for the Koizumi cabinet edged up 1.1 points to 56
%. The support rate of the Liberal Democratic Party rose 0.5
point to 42.8 %.

23) Poll: Public support for Ozawa-led Minshuto remains low; Abe
stands out as top choice to succeed Koizumi

SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
April 11, 2006

Following Ichiro Ozawa's assumption of the post of Minshuto
(Democratic Party of Japan) president, the Sankei Shimbun and FNN
(Fuji News Network) conducted a joint survey on the current
political situation on April 8-9. The poll found that 43.8% of
respondents had expectations for the ability of the Ozawa-led
Minshuto to hold the reins of government while 38.4% didn't. The
support rate of Minshuto, though, stood at 17.4%, a distant
second following the 42.1% for the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP). Asked who is desirable as a successor to Prime Minister
Koizumi, a whopping 47% chose Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe,
placing former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda a distant
second with 18.3 %.

Support for the cabinet dropped below the previous survey (56.9
%) conducted just after the cabinet was reshuffled last November
to 48.8 %, but the cabinet has enjoyed stable public support
despite Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's announcement of his
intention to resign this September.

SCHIEFFER