JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/16/06

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/16/06 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule Opinion polls: 4) Kyodo poll: Gap narrowing between top Koizumi contenders, with ABE at 40% popularity rating, and Fukuda gaining with 31% 5) Yomiuri poll: ABE still on top with 40% as public favorite to succeed Koizumi, but Fukuda rapidly rises to 23% 6) Only 17% see Basic Education Law passing this Diet session in Asahi poll, with public split over use of patriotic wording in the text 7) Nikkei poll: 28% find it unavoidable that Japan must pay part of the USFJ realignment costs, but 40% would exclude Guam relocation portion 8) Okinawa poll: 46% against the Nukaga-Inamine agreement on Futenma relocation, with many angry at Okinawa governor Defense issues: 9) In deference to Okinawa, government not clearly stipulating V-shaped runway at Camp Schwab in alignment document set for Cabinet approval 10) ASDF may transport UN personnel, goods in Iraq as reconstruction assistance 11) China interfered in scheduled charter flight carrying GSDF troops to Samawah, forcing equipment change 12) Prime Minister Koizumi denies press rumors of his making another trip to Pyongyang Koizumi reforms: 13) Government's measures to counter low birthrate focus on changes in the work place, assistance to local districts 14) USG criticizes NTT in public comment for "Impeding competition" 15) Government readying program to encourage inward investment into Japan 16) Minshuto head Ozawa embarks on nationwide stumping tour already preparing for next year's Upper House race Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Measures on low birth rate: Government panel to map out package with focus on work styles and local assistance Mainichi: Yomiuri: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun: Roster for Japanese World Cup team selected Nihon Keizai: Honda Motors to construct new plant with annual production capacity of 150,000 units in North America to meet demand for fuel-efficient vehicles 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: TOKYO 00002672 002 OF 010 (1) Drugs: Cut off North Korean route (2) Chinese yuan: Revaluation will provide springboard for development Mainichi: (1) Changing sponsorship of shogi tournament: Make a fresh start (2) Measures on low birth rate: Ideas and money should not be spared Yomiuri: (1) DPJ's counterproposal on bill amending Basic Education Law: The opposition party should find common ground with government stance (2) Police fabricate report in Setagaya murder case: Culprit won't be caught this way Nihon Keizai: (1) Child-rearing assistance measures lack feasibility and funding (2) 2006 World Cup in Germany: Opportunity to make friends Sankei: (1) Basic Education Law: DPJ plan not so bad (2) 2006 World Cup: We want to see exciting games again Tokyo Shimbun: (1) 2006 World Cup in Germany: We want to see improved play by Japanese team (2) Fake police investigation report on Setagaya murder case: Police should go back to basics of investigation 3) Prime Minister's schedule, May 15 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 16, 2006 10:31 Arrived at Kantei. 11:30 Met Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry's Health and Labor Bureau Deputy Director General Tsuji, Policy Planning Director General Shiota, and others. 15:00 Met Foreign Ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director General Yoshikawa, and former Samawah Office head Kobayashi. 16:30 Met Nihon Keizai Shimbun President Sugita. 17:01 Attended an executive meeting in the Diet building. 17:38 Arrived at Kantei. 19:00 Met Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yano, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki, and others. TOKYO 00002672 003 OF 010 4) Poll: ABE stands at 40%, Fukuda at 31% in post-Koizumi race TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) May 16, 2006 Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey on May 13-14, in which respondents were asked who they thought would be appropriate for the next prime minister after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. In this popularity rating, Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE ranked at the top with 40.1% (51.9% in a previous survey conducted in April). However, one of Abe's predecessors, Yasuo Fukuda, rose to 31.4% in the latest survey from 22.1% in the last survey. Fukuda closed in on ABE with their margin narrowed down from 29.8 percentage points in the last survey to some 20 points in the survey this time. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is scheduled to elect its new president in September, and Yasukuni Shrine is likely to become a point of contention in the LDP presidential race. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought the next prime minister should visit the shrine. In response to this question, "no" accounted for 51.8%, with "yes" reaching 35.8%. As seen from the figures, negative answers outnumbered positive ones. Fukuda is willing to redo Koizumi diplomacy in an aim to improve Japan's soured relations with China and South Korea. In the survey, his remarks seem to have given a favorable impression to the public and led to an increase in public support for him. Among other post-Koizumi candidates, Foreign Minister Taro Aso stood at 4.5%, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki at 2.7%, and Taro Kono at 1.6%. "Others" accounted for 1.4%. In the survey, respondents were also asked what the next prime minister should do about Koizumi's restructuring drive. In response to this question, 30.1% said the next prime minister should take over the Koizumi reforms, with 30.6% insisting on revising and 32.3% insisting on overhauling. The Koizumi cabinet's approval rating was 49.6%, up 2.4 points from the last time, and its disapproval rating at 37.6%, down 2.3 points. In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) stood at 24.2%, up from the 19.9% rating in the last survey conducted right after Ichiro Ozawa became the party's head. The DPJ has now recovered its popularity to the level in March 2005, overcoming its email fiasco. The LDP was at 39.0%, down 4.4% from the last time, and the New Komeito party, a coalition partner of the LDP, was at 3.8%, up 0.8 points. Among other parties, the Japanese Communist Party was at 1.9%, down 0.7 points; the Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) at 1.9%, up 0.4 points; the People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) at 0.1%, down 0.2 points; the New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) at 0.2%, up 0.1 points. Those with no particular party affiliation accounted for 27.2%, down 0.1 points. In the survey, respondents were further asked which political party they would like to vote for in the House of Councillors election slated for the summer of next year. In response to this question, 37.1% picked the LDP, with 28.9% preferring the DPJ. 5) Poll: Fukuda surges to 23% in post-Koizumi race, ABE still in top position with 40% TOKYO 00002672 004 OF 010 YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) May 16, 2006 The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a face-to-face nationwide public opinion survey on May 13-14, in which respondents were asked to pick one from among nine persons in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as the most appropriate person for the next prime minister after Prime Minister Koizumi, who will step down in September. In this popularity ranking, Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE still topped all others at 40%, and one of his predecessors, Yasuo Fukuda, ranked second at 23%. ABE was down 4 percentage points from a survey conducted in April. In the meantime, Fukuda was up 10 points, rising sharply in public support. Their margin has narrowed down from 31 points in this April's survey to 17 points in the latest survey. Many more people are apparently looking ahead into the LDP presidential race in the Abe-vs.-Fukuda showdown. Among other post-Koizumi candidates, Foreign Minister Aso stood at 4%, down 1 point from last month; former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato at 3%, up 1 point; Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Takenaka at 2%, down 1 point; Finance Minister Tanigaki at 1%, leveling off from last month. In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP stood at 42.3%, showing a slight decrease of 0.5 points from last month. The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) was at 15.8%, up 1.8 points. The DPJ has topped 15% for the first time in one and a half years since a survey conducted in November 2004. The Koizumi cabinet's approval rating was 54.4%, showing a slight decrease of 1.6 points from the last survey. 6) Poll: 17% want education law amended in current Diet session MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) May 16, 2006 In a recent telephone-based poll conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun on May 13-14, respondents were asked if they thought the Diet should pass a government-introduced bill now before the Diet to amend the Basic Education Law in the current session. In response to this question, "yes" answers accounted for only 17%, with "no" reaching 66%. As seen from these figures, the general public apparently does not think the Diet should fast-track the bill, though how to handle this legislative measure will likely affect whether to extend the current Diet session. Among other answers, 7% insisted that the Diet should vote down the bill in the current session and scrap it. The government bill also incorporates patriotism, which is expressed as "respecting Japan's traditions and culture and loving Japan and its land." In the survey, respondents were asked about this wording. In response to this question, 40% said it was fine. However, 26% insisted on even more clear-cut wording, with 25% saying there is no need to incorporate patriotism in the law. As seen from these figures, critical views totaled about 50%. 7) Poll: 28% see Japan's payment for USFJ realignment as unavoidable TOKYO 00002672 005 OF 010 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 16, 2006 Japan and the United States released a final report on May 2, incorporating an agreement on the realignment of US forces. Meanwhile, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey on May 12-14, asking respondents if they thought it unavoidable for Japan to pay for the US military's realignment in Japan. In response to this question, 28% answered "yes." However, 40% were cautious about paying for the relocation of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam, insisting that Japan's payment for the force realignment should be limited to base relocation in Japan only. Negative answers about Japan's cost sharing for the realignment accounted for 19%. Japan planned to carry out a survey of the sea near the disputed group of Takeshima islets (Dokdo in Korean),to which Japan and South Korea have been claiming territorial rights. Asked about South Korea's backlash against the planned survey, 50% said Japan should forego the sea survey for the time being and see South Korea's attitude, with 31% insisting that Japan should carry it out right away even though it may worsen the two countries' relation and only 3% saying Japan should never ever carry it out. 8) Poll of Okinawa residents: 46% don't approve of agreement on Futenma relocation plan ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) May 16, 2006 Only 30% of respondents expect that the planned realignment of US forces in Japan based on the agreement between the Japanese and US governments would lighten the base burden on Okinawa, while 66% did not have such an expectation, according to a joint survey of Okinawa voters on May 13-14. Asked about the recent agreement reached between Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine and Defense Agency Director General Nukaga on the government's plan to relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Cape Henoko in Nago, 46% said: "I don't approve it," overtaking those who said: "I approve it." According to the telephone survey, conducted jointly by the Asahi Shimbun and the Okinawa Times, 6% said: "The security burden on Okinawa will be significantly reduced" through the US force realignment, and 24% replied: "It will reduce it to some extent." But 47% said: "The burden will not be significantly lightened," and 19% said: "It will not be lightened at all." The poll showed that many are not expecting the realignment to lighten the base burden on Okinawa. On the entire picture of realignment of US forces in Japan, as well, 55% expressed "opposition," while only 27% expressed "support." Asked about the government's Futenma relocation plan, 69% gave a negative view, whereas 19% were positive. These figures are almost the same as those in the survey (72% against it, 15% in favor) conducted just after the interim report on US force realignment was announced last November. Although public support for Governor Inamine dropped to 58% from the 64% last November, many still support the governor. Asked TOKYO 00002672 006 OF 010 about his agreement with Nukaga on the government's Futenma relocation plan, however, only 36% expressed "approval." 9) Futenma relocation: Government not to specify V-shaped plan in cabinet decision out of consideration for local communities MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) May 16, 2006 The government decided yesterday not to specify the Japan-US agreement on V-shaped 1,800-meter-long runways to replace the one at Futenma Air Station in the document to be adopted by the cabinet for implementation of US force realignment. The decision reflects the government's consideration to the Okinawa prefectural government, which is calling for a temporary heliport, and the Nago municipal government, which is insisting on shorter runways. The document is likely to use ambiguous expressions, such as "based on the government's plan." But the government has no intention of revising the V-shaped plan, specified in the final agreement with Washington. The decision, therefore, is aimed at facilitating talks with municipalities for realizing the plan. A cabinet decision will formerly determine the government's policy to take necessary measures to implement the final report. The government has been making arrangements for making a cabinet decision on May 23 ahead of the Pacific Islands Summit to be held on May 26-27 in Okinawa in the attendance of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. After a cabinet decision, the government plans to set up a consultative panel with Okinawa and Nago and accelerate coordination in the government to establish legislation for facilitating US force realignment. The governments of Japan and the United States are in accord to relocate Futenma Air Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab in Nago. Their final agreement incorporated a plan to build two 1,800-meter runways including 100-meter overruns in a V shape as alternative facilities. An absence of the V-shaped plan from a cabinet decision may draw fire from the US calling for the implementation of the relocation plan without fail. 10) Government considering expanding ASDF Iraq mission to include airlifting of UN personnel, supplies YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpts) May 16, 2006 The government is considering expanding the Air-Self Defense Force's mission to include the airlifting of United Nations personnel and supplies from Kuwait to Baghdad in accordance with the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. The government is considering such a step in compliance with an informal request of the world body, which is aiming to expand activities in Iraq. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to ask for Japan's cooperation in transport in his talks with Prime Minister Koizumi tomorrow. If there is such a request, Koizumi is likely to express his willingness to consider it positively. The United Nations substantially reduced its activities in Iraq following the August 2003 bombing of its headquarters in Baghdad. Currently, some 660 personnel with the United Nations Assistance TOKYO 00002672 007 OF 010 Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) are operating in the country. The world body, which plans to beef up the functions of its Iraq office and expand its activities timed with the establishment of a new Iraqi government, has informally asked a number of countries, including Japan, to assist in airlifting UN personnel and supplies. 11) Japan's chartered plane transporting GSDF troops to Iraq unable to fly due to China's pressure SANKEI (Page 3) (Excerpts) May 16, 2006 Japan's 10th detachment from the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) yesterday arrived in Samawah in southern Iraq for reconstruction assistance, but this unit had been forced to reschedule their departure due to China's pressure, several high-level government officials revealed yesterday. Specifically, Chinese authorities raised a red flag toward a flight plan by a commercial plane chartered by the Japanese government to send GSDF troops to Iraq. Reconstruction assistance to Iraq is part of Japan's international contributions and is a major pillar of its foreign policy. The government, being unable to fathom Chinese authorities' intentions, plans to review the previous way of dispatching personnel abroad for international contributions. According to government officials, the 10th detachment had initially planned to depart from Haneda Airport on May 7. Following the plan, it had chartered a plane from the Hong Kong- based Cathay Pacific Airways to fly to Kuwait, a transit point for Iraq. However, the moment Chinese authorities learned of this flight plan, they called on the airline company to cancel the flight plan. Coming under Chinese pressure, Cathay Pacific reportedly on May 5 informed the Defense Agency (JDA) via a Japanese intermediate agent of a last-minute cancellation of the flight plan. The JDA hastily rearranged the dispatch plan and sent the GSDF unit by using two regular flights, such as that of Qatar Airways, which departed from Kansai International Airport late at night on May 7. The unit of 140 troops was divided into two groups to get on two planes: one consisting of 25 troops and the other of 115. They got into the planes in plain clothes, although under the initial plan, they would have boarded in uniform. They arrived in Iraq via Qatar. 12) Former diplomat doubtful about Prime Minister Koizumi's third visit to North Korea SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) May 16, 2006 Former Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka, who behind the scenes orchestrated the first visit to North Korea by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, yesterday delivered a speech in Tokyo in which he expressed doubt that the prime minister would make a third visit to North Korea before he steps down in September, saying: "(The prime minister) will not go unless elaborate preparations are made and certain achievements are expected." 13) Government council on declining birthrate to consider work TOKYO 00002672 008 OF 010 styles and local support, puts discussion of funding on the backburner; Will hammer out differences between two proposals floated by ruling coalition ASAHI (Top play) (Lead paragraph) May 16, 2006 The government's Council on Measures for the Declining Birthrate, chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, yesterday shaped a package of measures to be adopted in June. The focus of the package is plans for economic support like improving child-care allowances, a review of work styles that includes corporate subsidies child-care leave, and the establishment of a child- rearing support system in each region, such as establishing a system of "child-rearing managers" (tentative name). But when it comes to financial resources for such plans, the Council cited only the need to establish "child-care insurance" and "a child- care fund." Based on this package, as well as proposals to deal with the declining birthrate the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition member New Komeito presented late April, the government will now begin final coordination regarding items for measures to be incorporated into the government's Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform, which will be approved at a cabinet meeting in June. 14) NTT under fire from domestic competitors, US government; Communications Ministry releases publicly solicited views; Strengthening of group ties criticized as hindering competition MAINICH (Page 9) (Full) May 16, 2006 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) yesterday released the results of views solicited from the public regarding Japan's new competition policy for telecommunications. The US government and KDDI and other domestic companies expressed strong concern that NTT's strategy of strengthening ties with its group companies, such as NTT East, NTT West, and DoCoMo, which it released last fall, would mar the competitive environment in the telecommunications sector. They all called for the strengthening of regulations to restrict consolidated business management by the telecom giant and the introduction of a radical competition policy that would break up the monopoly. The US government pointed out that the reorganization of NTT Group under a holding company in 1999 has not been effective in terms of promoting competition. NTT in its mid-term management strategy issued last November unveiled a policy of integrated management of group companies. The US government also harshly criticized that policy as undermining the competitive environment. An interim report issued by the Panel to Consider Telecommunications and Broadcasting (chaired by Toyo University Professor Satoshi Matsubara),a private council that reports to MIC Minister Heizo Takenaka, incorporated a plan to spin off NTT's fixed-line service into a separate entity and not allow the new entity to use the NTT brand. The US government praised the report, noting, "The US is paying attention to the development of the proposal with interest." Domestic competitors, such as KDDI and Softbank, have expressed TOKYO 00002672 009 OF 010 concern about a plan for NTT East, NTT West, and DoCoMo to offer services integrating fixed lines and mobile phones, saying that tie-ups between dominant players stifle competition. NTT has countered such criticism, claiming that in developing next- generation telecommunications services, it will open the door to other carriers. Howls of criticism from the US and domestic competitors will likely affect the mapping out of a new competition policy by the MIAC. 15) Government drafts proposals to encourage investment in Japan NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) May 16, 2006 The government's Inward Investment Council, chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, presented during its expert panel meeting yesterday a set of proposals to expand investment in Japan from overseas. The proposals were included in an Inward Investment Acceleration Program (tentative name) it submitted to the meeting yesterday. This program is composed of three parts: (1) strengthening the exploitation of and assistance to inward investment projects; (2) arranging an environment to facilitate investment in Japan; and (3) promoting PR. The panel plans to adopt specific measures by mid-June and incorporate them in the government's 2006 Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management. Included in the program are measures to hold investment seminars joined by relevant cabinet ministers and governors and to set up a website on inward investment that posts information related to investments across the nation, such as industrial integration and R&D (research and development). In addition, the panel will study measures to (1) establish employment, education, and medical systems for investing companies; (2) prepare foreign-language brochures about administrative procedures for investment in Japan and digitize them; and (3) give special aid for regions eager to draw in investment. 16) Ozawa kicks off nationwide tour for Upper House election beginning with Yamagata YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 16, 2006 Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa visited Yamagata City yesterday to exchange views with prefectural chapter executives for the 2007 Upper House election. Ozawa, who places importance on single-seat constituencies, picked Yamagata as the first leg of his nationwide stumping tour for the upcoming election. In his talks with persons connected with influential local groups, such as Yamagata Keizai Doyukai (Association of Corporate Executives) and Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) Yamagata, Ozawa asked for their support for the party in the election next year. Based on the fact that labor unions affiliated with the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union backed Social Democratic Party candidates in the 2004 Upper House election, Ozawa told Rengo executives: "We are considering joining hands with parties against the LDP-New Komeito coalition. It is important to achieve our common goal (of forcing the ruling coalition into a TOKYO 00002672 010 OF 010 minority)." Rengo executives also expressed their willingness to work closely with Minshuto. Ozawa held a press conference in Yamagata City in which he exhibited confidence about his party making a leap in the upcoming election, stating, "The Upper House election next year will lead to a change in administration. We have the edge." Diet approval of amendments to the Public Offices Election Law in the current session will create 29 single-seat constituencies for the election next year. Of them, Minshuto has yet to determine its candidates in about 20 constituencies. Ozawa is scheduled to visit Kagawa and Tokushima later this month. He plans to visit all single-seat constituencies at a pace of a couple of places a week to determine candidates by mid-August. DONOVAN