JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/09/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002481 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/09/06 TOKYO 00002481 001.2 OF 011 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule Defense issues: 4) Prime Minister Koizumi wishes to coordinate with US to publicize the recent USFJ realignment agreement at the summit 5) Prime Minister to place efforts on convincing locals to accept realignment pact 6) JDA chief Nukaga advises Prime Minister Koizumi to present a defense message at the upcoming summit meeting with President 7) Nukaga wants to revised bilateral defense cooperation guidelines to stress importance of USFJ realignment 8) Governor Inamine still pushing for temporary heliport concept at Camp Schwab 9) Ozawa, Kan, Hatoyama to attach the USFJ realignment agreement in Diet debate 10) Aussie troops to stay for while longer in IRAQ just when Japan mulling its own pullout 11) Finance Minister Tanigaki: Chukibo mid-range defense procurement plan may have to be constrained to accommodate the cost of relocating US troops Diplomatic issues: 12) Japan to put energy conservation high of the G-8 summit agenda 13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: Coordination underway to put the abduction issue on the G-8 summit agenda 14) Lower House Speaker Kono criticizes Prime Minister in monthly magazine China connection: 15) China calling for a trilateral dialogue among Japanese, Chinese and South Korean officials 16) Government giving careful scrutiny to future of ODA to China 17) -Prime Minister's office taking lead in restructuring ODA program, with China in mind 18) UN Secretary General Annan arrives on 16th for visit to Japan 19) Team of US beef experts arrive next week for what may be wrap up talks prior to DECISION on reopening market to US beef Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun: Half of middle-aged men are suspected of having metabolic syndrome, according to Health Ministry survey; 20% of women Mainichi: Nihon Keizai: Financial Services Agency considering suspension of all business activities by Chuo-Aoyama Audit Corporation for one to two months due to window-dressing by Kanebo Yomiuri: Russia summit; Japan to propose introducing Japanese-style energy TOKYO 00002481 002.2 OF 011 conservation system; Prime minister intends to work on other countries to adopt top-runner method 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Can decentralization take another step? (2) WTO: Time approaching for political DECISION Mainichi: (1) Drug use: Japanese baseball teams should take measures as soon as possible (2) Thoughts on social divide: Change concept of social security benefits to prevent recipients from falling into poverty trap Yomiuri: (1) Certified public accountants: How should they audit companies? (2) Speeding up patent application screening: Delay in examination will threaten intellectual property rights Nihon Keizai: (1) Remove anxiety over earthquake resistance of nuclear power stations (2) Still no democratic election under Singapore's Lee administration Sankei: (1) Academic disparity: Revitalizing public education is of urgent necessity (2) Prevent heinous crimes from spreading to provincial districts Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Cuts in tax allocations: Do not pass the buck to local governments (2) Internet and broadcasting: Reconciling copyrights and convenience 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, May 8 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 9, 2006 10:11 Signed in to report his return at the Imperial Palace. 10:32 Met at Kantei with Nobuyuki Nakahara, former BOJ policy board member. 11:23 Attended Overseas Economic Cooperation Council meeting. 12:02 Attended meeting of the government and ruling coalition. Met afterwards with Foreign Minister Aso and Defense chief Nukaga. 14:00 Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani and Cabinet TOKYO 00002481 003.2 OF 011 Satellite Intelligence Center head Oda, followed by LDP Secretary General Takebe. 17:03 Attended LDP executive meeting at Diet building. Met with LDP Upper House Chairman Aoki. 17:38 Arrived at Kantei. 19:03 Dined with Aoki, LDP Upper House Secretary General Katayama, and New Komeito Upper House Secretary General Kusakawa at the Japanese restaurant Yamazato in Hotel Okura. 21:16 Returned to his official residence. 4) Koizumi plans to highlight significance of US force realignment agreement in talks with Bush NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) May 9, 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held talks at his official residence yesterday with Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga. In the talks, the prime minister confirmed that he would seek to coordinate with the United States in the Japan-US summit talks in June to play up the significance of the final agreement reached recently between Tokyo and Washington on US force realignment. The prime minister apparently wants to highlight the significance of the stability of the Asia-Pacific region in view of China and other countries' growing alarm against the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance. In the talks, Nukaga urged Koizumi to lay the groundwork in the summit talks to send a political message on the significance of the final agreement on US force realignment and how it will contribute to the region and the world. After the meeting, Koizumi told reporters: "I will clearly express my views to President Bush. I also want to discuss overall Japan-US relations." Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe also said in a press conference yesterday, "The two leaders will discuss the Japan-US alliance in the world to share a common vision." Koizumi also attended a government-ruling coalition liaison meeting yesterday in which he emphatically said, "We must fulfill our accountability to the people." 5) Koizumi orders Aso, Nukaga to make every effort to convince local governments on US force realignment to pave way for cabinet decision YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) May 9, 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga at his official residence yesterday and ordered them to make every effort to win the support of affected local governments for the TOKYO 00002481 004.2 OF 011 final report on US force realignment. The government intends to devote its efforts to convince local governments displeased with US force realignment plans. The government also plans to make a cabinet DECISION next week to implement the realignment plan as scheduled even if it fails to win the concurrence of all the affected local governments. Koizumi said to Aso and Nukaga, "I want you to explain things thoroughly to local communities to obtain their understanding and to pave the way for a cabinet decision." Nukaga said in connection with the Koizumi-Bush meeting, planned for June, "It is necessary to lay the groundwork to send a political message on what the final agreement on US force realignment means to Japan and the US and how (Japan) will contribute to this region and the world." Koizumi responded positively to Nukaga's advice. 6) Defense chief Nukaga proposes to Prime Minister Koizumi dispatching political message at Japan-US summit MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) May 9, 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was briefed yesterday by Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga on the final report on the realignment of US forces in Japan. Nukaga proposed to Koizumi that a political message explaining the significance of (the realignment of the US military facilities in Japan) for the two countries be dispatched at the upcoming summit between Koizumi and President George W. Bush. Koizumi expressed his understanding. Nukaga apparently suggested that the two leaders release a joint statement at their summit. Koizumi told reporters last night: "(The final agreement) is meaningful in view of the Japan-US alliance in the world. I will clearly express my views to President Bush." Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe at a press conference yesterday indicated that the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance through the USFJ realignment would become a major topic at the upcoming summit, saying, "I think (The two leaders) will discuss the Japan-US alliance, which has now matured, or the alliance in the world so that they will be able to share a common perception. 7) Nukaga suggests need to confirm USFJ realignment's significance in joint declaration, eyes revising defense guidelines ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) May 9, 2006 Following the final agreement reached between Japan and the United States on the realignment of US forces in Japan, Defense Agency Director General Nukaga met with Prime Minister Koizumi yesterday. In the meeting, Nukaga suggested the need for the two countries' leaders to confirm a "political message" incorporating the significance and objective of the force realignment. The Defense Agency wants a joint declaration to be issued in a summit for a review of the Japan-US Defense Cooperation Guidelines. However, the Foreign Ministry remains cautious about reviewing the guidelines. The US government is also insisting on the TOKYO 00002481 005.2 OF 011 necessity of fast-tracking the realignment plan. The Japanese and US governments are now coordinating to schedule a summit for late next month. "I'd like to prepare an environment (for Japan and the United States) to issue a political message," Nukaga explained to Koizumi. After the meeting, Nukaga told reporters, "The prime minister also understands that, I think." Defense Agency Administrative Deputy Director General Takemasa Moriya also told a press conference yesterday: "It's my understanding that the prime minister has said Japan and the United States should issue a bilateral joint declaration to send a clear-cut message to the peoples of Japan, the United States, and Asia." In 1996, the Japanese and US governments released the Japan-US Security Joint Declaration after the Cold War. In 1997, the two governments revised the guidelines. The Defense Agency wants a political message now that the bilateral alliance has entered a new phase with the US military's realignment. "It's about time to consider renewing the goals and ideals of the two countries' security arrangement," Nukaga said. Japan and the United States held a "two-plus-two" meeting of their intergovernmental security consultative committee, in which Nukaga proposed creating a new framework to replace the 1997 guidelines. "There were more events than we had expected when we worked out the new guidelines," Nukaga said in the two-plus-two ministerial. "The message must be clear," one of Koizumi's aides at his office also said, adding, "We've yet to decide whether to issue such a message in a joint declaration at the Japan-US summit meeting, but the two leaders will likely agree to start discussions on a review of the guidelines." According to a high-ranking government official, however, the government has yet to begin interdepartmental coordination. So far, Koizumi has not talked about a review of the guidelines. He stopped short of referring to the guidelines when he was asked by reporters yesterday evening about the necessity of issuing a political message like a joint declaration. "I'd like to think over what to do," he said. In the meantime, US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld told Nukaga in their meeting on May 3 that the United States was ready to hold talks about a review of the guidelines. However, Rumsfeld also laid emphasis on the necessity of carrying out the realignment plan, noting the importance of implementing matters regarding bilateral defense cooperation in a steady way. "We're now moving ahead with base realignment," a Foreign Ministry official said. This official went on, "The United States is not thinking of going back into the world of words at this time." 8) JDA administrative vice minister: "Construction of temporary helipad is difficult" SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) May 9, 2006 TOKYO 00002481 006.2 OF 011 At a press conference yesterday, Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya touched on Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine's counterproposal for constructing a temporary helipad at Camp Schwab in connection with the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station and indicated that it would be difficult to accept his proposal, saying: "I'd like the governor to understand the central government's ideas and cooperate." Moriya pointed out: "Nago City, despite the difficulties it has faced, has declared it would accept the relocation plan. We'd like to respect the willingness of local communities." 9) Minshuto's Ozawa, Kan, Hatoyama determined to pursue government on US force realignment cost NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 9, 2006 Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa, Acting President Naoto Kan, and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama exchanged views at party headquarters yesterday on measures for the Diet in its closing stage. Ozawa said regarding the realignment of US forces in Japan, "Our party must deal with the issue fairly and squarely." The three leaders confirmed that the party would grill the government on its accountability for Japan's share of the cost. 10) IRAQ deployment: Australia to stay on after Japan's pullout ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpt) May 9, 2006 SINGAPORE-Australia will continue its troop deployment in the southern Iraqi province of Al-Muthanna regardless of Japan's moves, Australian Defense Minister Nelson was quoted as telling the Australian media. "Even if Japan announces its intention to pull out (of the southern Iraqi city of Samawah),we'd like to continue to provide training to Iraqi forces and to conduct our activities in that country's southern district." Australian Prime Minister HOWARD has implied the possibility of continuing Australia's troop deployment in IRAQ after Japan withdraws Ground Self-Defense Force troops. However, it is the first time an Australian government official has clarified this course of action. 11) On the cost for the realignment of US forces in Japan, Finance Minister Tanigaki says, "The budget for midterm defense buildup program needs to be constrained" SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) May 9, 2006 At a meeting yesterday of the Upper House Special Committee on Administrative Reform, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, touching on Japan's share of the realignment of US forces in Japan, stated, "Given the current tight state finances, we should not tack on the realignment cost to the budget for the midterm defense buildup program (chukibo)." He thus indicated that the budget for chukibo needs to be constrained. At the same time he remarked, "I have no idea how much the relocation will cost. We need to examine it closely," and noted that the total relocation cost and the basis for the cost calculation should be made clear. TOKYO 00002481 007 OF 011 12) Russia Summit; Japan to propose introducing Japanese-style energy conservation system; Prime minister intends to work on other countries to adopt top-runner method YOMIURI (Top Play) (Excerpts) May 9, 2006 A Group of Eight summit is to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in July. As part of energy-conserving measures, Prime Minister Koizumi yesterday decided to work on other participating countries during the meeting to adopt a top-runner system, under which energy-conserving and fuel-efficiency standards to be achieved by all industries are set in compliance with products with the highest such performance on the market. He will also introduce a new environment-friendly technology aimed at promoting the use of coal and express his determination to offer assistance to countries that introduce this technology. Amid international concern over the sharp rise in crude oil prices and global warming, Japan wants to contribute to settling the issue using its advanced technology, by spreading its own strict energy- conserving standards and technology. The summit will be held July 15-17. Energy, education, and measures to deal with infectious diseases will likely top the agenda. The meeting will also focus on energy in response to the sharp rise in crude oil prices, which is posing a risk to the global economy. Participants will discuss measures to stabilize prices, including the promotion of investment in oil production, transportation, and refining capability, as well as measures to improve energy efficiency. In Japan, the top-runner method was applied to 21 items, including autos and refrigerators, based on the Energy Conservation Law revised in 1998. Since then, this method has been producing results. The prime minister plans to propose this method, which is premised on performance-based competition by companies. Among major industrialized nations, Russia is lagging far behind in energy conservation. With that country in mind, the government is looking into the possibility of dispatching engineers in order to raise the level of energy-conserving technology, a precondition for introducing the top-runner method. 13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: Japan will raise abduction issue at G-8 Summit; Government to carry out coordination with US ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) May 9, 2006 Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe told senior members of the ruling parties during a meeting of the government and ruling coalition that Japan would raise the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea at the Group of Eight (G-8) Summit, which will be held in July in St. Petersburg. The government will begin coordination with relevant countries, including the United States, where the abduction issue has begun to draw wider attention. If the abduction issue becomes an important issue at the G-8 Summit along with North Korea's nuclear programs, it may affect the development of the six-party talks. TOKYO 00002481 008 OF 011 Abe, in the meeting yesterday, hailed the meeting between US President George W. Bush and Sakie Yokota, mother of Megumi Yokota, one of the abductees, saying: "A strong message was sent to the world through the meeting that the abduction issue must be resolved. We will put our all energy into resolving the issue by strengthening cooperation with the US and other countries. We will do our best so that the issue will be taken up at the G-8 Summit." Following the North Korean leader's admission in his meeting in September 2002 with Prime Minister Koizumi of the abductions, Japan alone raised the abduction issue at the 2003 G-8 Summit in Avian, France, and the issue was included in the chairman's statement. The issue was also incorporated in the summit in 2004 and 2005. Realizing that it has obtained Washington's understanding with Yokota's visit to the US, the government intends to present a common agenda after securing understanding from other countries. If realized, international movement on human rights issues, including the abductions, may grow before the stalled nuclear issue. However, the G-8 Summit will take place in Russia, which expresses understanding for the North. A government official, therefore, pointed out, "It will not be easy to obtain understanding from G-8 members." 14) Lower House Speaker Kono criticizes Prime Minister Koizumi's foreign policy in monthly magazine MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) May 9, 2006 Yohei Kono, speaker of the House of Representatives, criticized the foreign policy of the Koizumi government in the issue of the monthly magazine Sekai that went on sale on May 8. He wrote: "I have doubts about whether the Diet should tamely follow the government, which blindly follows the United States because of the Japan-US alliance." He also pointed out: "When the US attacked Iraq, the Koizumi government immediately expressed its support for the US. The government says Japan will be in trouble when a problem occurs in North Korea if it does not back the US. Diplomacy is not that simple." 15) Japan, China, South Korea to hold talks on energy in Latin America at China's proposal, probably with aim of easing "China as a threat" argument ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) May 9, 2006 The Chinese government has proposed to the Japanese government to hold talks on energy in Latin America and military cooperation. In late April, Japan, China, and South Korea held their first bureau-director-level talks in Beijing. Amid their strained political relations, it is quite rare for the three countries to hold talks over diplomacy toward countries on the other side of the world. Some have speculated that China is also aiming to ease the "China as a threat" argument growing in the US, focusing on TOKYO 00002481 009 OF 011 China's activities in Latin America. The first Latin America talks involving officials in charge of Latin American affairs from Japan, China, and South Korea were held on April 26 at the proposal of China. In the meeting, the participants agreed to meet annually. They also agreed on a plan in which their embassies in countries in Latin America will jointly hold a trade show. According to an attendee, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Latin American Bureau director general said: "I want you to accurately understand the state of our cooperation with Latin American countries in the energy and military areas." He then emphasized that the increasing volume of trade in natural resources is on a regular commercial basis. The Chinese official added that military exchanges between China and the Latin American region, about which the US is increasingly concerned, are "modest." 16) Government council on ODA strategy holds first meeting, aiming for Kantei-led policymaking NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) May 9, 2006 A strategic council on Japan's official development assistance (ODA) policy, headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, held its first meeting yesterday and started working out an effective ODA strategy for the country. A number of government agencies have been involved in ODA policy in the past. The council was formed with the aim of the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) taking the initiative in offering ODA funds for projects that will be more in Japan's national interests, focusing on such aspects as democratization, energy, and the environment. The key to whether the council will be able to take the lead lies in the conceptual abilities of politicians. Potential candidates for the next premiership will be tested over their diplomatic strategy. Focus first on yen loans to China "This is taxpayer money, so I want you to use ODA funds in an effective, strategic way so that they will serve Japan's national interests," said Koizumi. The council is composed of Foreign Minister Taro Aso; Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki; Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai; and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, in addition to the prime minister. These members will discuss the nation's basic strategies for ODA and aid through international institutions. Allocations for ODA will also be reviewed flexibly at the initiative of politicians. Its meetings will not be made public, since it aims to proceed with debates while giving priority to national interests. Under the current system, 13 government agencies take part in ODA. Sectionalism has hampered overall cooperation. In a press conference, Abe said: "Japan has not worked out its ODA policy from an overall viewpoint, including environmental protection and energy." The council intends to urge recipients to resolve global warming and other environmental or energy problems through ODA projects and to set up a system to give priority to assistance to TOKYO 00002481 010 OF 011 developing countries making efforts to promote democratization and secure human rights. If the council is able to move things as it expects, its role as a diplomatic tool will increase. 17) Deliberate discussions on yen loans to China in fiscal 2005 held at first meeting of the strategic council on ODA SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) May 9, 2006 The government's strategic council on overseas economic cooperation, headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, yesterday held its first meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) and embarked on a discussion on ways for the Kantei to lead strategic and efficient use of official development assistance (ODA). The focus of the discussion at present is what to do with yen loans to China planned for fiscal 2005, which the cabinet has not yet approved. At a press conference yesterday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said: "It's desirable for the council to deal with important countries and items swiftly from the perspective of overseas economic cooperation." Abe emphasized that the Kantei would play the role of "control tower" to reduce red tape. Abe also indicated the need to discuss sector-by-sector assistance approaches, noting, "In the past Japan has lacked the viewpoint of how it will contribute to the world in the areas of the environment and energy." On the question of new provision of yen loans to China, Japan and China have agreed to end yen loans prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. But calls for moving up the timing of ending yen loans or doing so immediately are emerging in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),behind which are China's moves to explore oil gas fields in the East China Sea and its proposal for joint development of waters around the Senkaku Islands, which are Japanese territory. After deliberate discussions, the council intends to come up with a conclusion about what to do with provision of yen loans to China for fiscal 2005. 18) UN Secretary General Annan to visit Japan on May 16 SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) May 9, 2006 The Foreign Ministry yesterday announced that UN Secretary General Annan will visit Japan for four days from April 16. Annan will meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other leaders and exchange views on the reform of the United Nations, including whether to expand the UN Security Council, and the international situation. Prior to his visit to Japan, Annan will visit South Korea and meet with President Roh Moo Hyun and others. Annan will also travel to China and Vietnam. He planned to visit these four nations (in Asia) last December, but he was forced to delay his tour after the UN fell into disorder over compiling its budget. 19) Japan, US to hold experts' meeting on beef issue next week to examine US report ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) May 9, 2006 TOKYO 00002481 011 OF 011 The government announced yesterday that experts from the Japanese and US governments would meet next week to discuss a resumption of trade in US beef. This development reflects the likelihood of Washington presenting Tokyo this week with a report detailing the results of its second inspection starting in late April of slaughterhouses and packing plants in the US. The Japanese and US governments will shortly start final work in preparation for coming up with the final DECISION on Japan's resumption of US beef imports. In the meeting, experts will closely examine the US report. Representatives from Japan will also report on the results of public hearings held with consumers in 10 locations nationwide last month. If no problem is found with the contents of the US report, both sides will discuss specific conditions for Japan to reopen its market to US beef. If Japan reaches broad agreement with the US on conditions for resuming imports, it will set safety criteria. The Japanese government will then explain such criteria to consumers across the nation, taking about two weeks. Hearing public views there, the government will approve the DECISION in mid-June, at the earliest. Experts from the Japanese government will then visit the US to inspect meat-processing plants. If they confirm they are observing Japan's safety criteria, Japan will resume US beef imports. SCHIEFFER