Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2816
2006-05-23 01:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/23/06

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002816 

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 05/23/06

Index:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 002816

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 05/23/06

Index:

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

Asahi opinion poll:
4) Monthly poll on favorite for next premier shows gap
narrowing between Shinzo Abe (41%),Yasuo Fukuda (29%)
5) Poll finds 56% of public would accept word "patriotism"
inserted into revised education law
6) 84% of public clueless about USFJ realignment, seek
explanation, while 77% find the cited cost of realignment
"unconvincing"

Defense and security issues:
7) JDA haggling with Cabinet Office, Finance Ministry over USFJ
realignment funding and timetable
8) Central government, Okinawa remain at odds about USFJ
realignment decision
9) Government's proposed cabinet decision on USFJ realignment
to include consultative body to deal with Futenma relocation
10) Hatch falls off during flight of USFJ transport aircraft out
of Atsugi
11) Government coordinating GSDF pullout from Iraq with Britain,
Australia

12) Prime Minister Koizumi to travel to Canada before his US
trip

13) Hamas-connected Palestinian official, interviewed by
Yomiuri, blasts Japan for freezing aid

14) Prime Minister Koizumi announces 40 billion yen aid package
to Pacific Island states as part of effort to counter China's
growing influence in area

Political agenda:
15) 40% of Mindan local bodies refuse to go along with Chosen
Soren's policy of refusing to assist North Korean escapees
16) Minshuto head Ozawa exchanges views with Japan Business
Federation leaders in bid for campaign contributions
17) Ozawa's Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) to make big
effort to attract the female vote in next Upper House election,

recruit more women candidates
18) Agricultural Minister Nakagawa suffers severe back pains
while attending Diet: Result of back-breaking decision on US
beef?

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
19 social insurance offices illegally waive pension premium
payments for 42,700 people

Mainichi:
Education Ministry eyes strict measures for problem students in
elementary and middle school

Yomiuri:

TOKYO 00002816 002 OF 011


Welfare Ministry estimates 73% increase in payments for social
security services in FY2025 over the level in FY2006

Nihon Keizai:
BOJ Governor Fukui: Adjustment to interest rate levels will be
made slowly

Sankei:
Osaka District Court to arrest executives of companies involved
in bid-rigging scheme for project to construct sludge disposal
facilities

Tokyo Shimbun:
Yokohama District Court orders Yokohama to pay compensation over
plan to privatize four nurseries

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) New Iraqi government launched, but no exit in sight yet
(2) Companies reap profits, but next moves are important

Mainichi:
(1) Revenue and expenditure reform plan: Visible results must be
produced
(2) Lay judge system: Changes in citizens' consciousness
necessary

Yomiuri:
(1) Cuts in tax grants to local governments should be main
purpose of reform
(2) Give priority to improvement in security situation in Iraq

Nihon Keizai:
(1) Government, ruling coalition must come together to tackle
challenges of economic growth, spending cuts
(2) Thorough debate necessary on Asia currency

Sankei:
(1) Improvement in public safety and livelihood must be pursued
simultaneously in Iraq
(2) Local banks at a turning point

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) New Iraqi government expected to do its best to ensure
security
(2) On multiple loans, aftercare is important

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, May 22

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

09:00
Attended a meeting to discuss comprehensive reform of finances
and the economy. Later, met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
Suzuki.

10:55
Met with Justice Minister Sugiura.

TOKYO 00002816 003 OF 011



13:01
Attended the Upper House plenary session.

15:10
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Yabunaka at Kantei. Later,
joined a study meeting for the upcoming Japan-Pacific Islands
Forum Summit Meeting together with Yabunaka and others.

17:00
Attended an LDP executive officers' meeting held in the Diet.

18:37
Dined with former Prime Minister Mori, LDP General Council
Chairman Kyuma, and former chairmen of Lower House Committees on
Finance and Financial Affairs at a Japanese restaurant at Shiba
Park.

20:14
Had a hair cut at a barber's shop in Capitol Tokyu Hotel.

22:38
Returned to his residence.

4) Poll: Abe stands at 41%, Fukuda at 29% in post-Koizumi race;
Margin narrows over last month

ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
May 23, 2006

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe ranked at the top of all post-
Koizumi candidates with 41%, the Asahi Shimbun found from its
telephone-based nationwide public opinion conducted May 20-21.
Yasuo Fukuda, one of Abe's predecessors in his cabinet post,
ranked second at 29%. In a previous survey last conducted in
April, Abe stood at 45% and Fukuda at 20%. In the survey this
time, the margin has narrowed, with Abe going down and Fukuda
rising. Foreign Minister Taro Aso was at 3%, and Finance Minister
Sadakazu Tanigaki at 1%.

Respondents were asked to pick one from among four likely
candidates in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party plus someone
else among others. Among LDP supporters, Abe stood at 55%, with
Fukuda at 26%. In the last survey, however, Abe was at 59% and
Fukuda at 16%. In the latest survey, Fukuda closed in on Abe.
Among those who support the Koizumi cabinet, Abe was higher than
Fukuda, respectively at 52% and 27%. Among those who do not
support the Koizumi cabinet, Fukuda topped Abe at 35% and 29%.

5) Poll: 56% favor including patriotism in education law

ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged)
May 23, 2006

A government bill to amend the Basic Education Law is now before
the Diet. A majority of the Japanese public, or 56%, is in favor
of incorporating the wording "love Japan and its land" in the law
as an objective of education, the Asahi Shimbun found from its
recent public opinion survey. However, 73% said it would be
better to continue discussions without taking a vote on the
amendment in the current Diet session. As seen from this figure,
an overwhelming portion of respondents indicated that there was

TOKYO 00002816 004 OF 011


no need to hurry.

The focus is on how to describe patriotism. Respondents were
asked if they were in favor of incorporating the wording "love
Japan and its land" as a goal of education. In response to this
question, "yes" accounted for 56%, with "no" reaching 29%. Among
those in their 60s and over, the affirmative figure was almost
70%. Among those in their 20s, opinion was split, with the
affirmative figure accounting for 42% and the negative one
reaching 43%.

6) Poll: 84% see gov't as failing to fulfill accountability for
US military realignment; Japan's cost-sharing burden unconvincing
to 77%

ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged)
May 23, 2006

Japan and the United States agreed early this month on the
realignment of US forces in Japan. In a recent nationwide public
opinion survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on May 20-21,
however, 84% of respondents did not think that the government has
fulfilled its accountability to the public for this US force
realignment. In the survey, respondents were also asked about
Japan's burden of sharing costs for the US military's
realignment. In response to this question, 77% said it was
unconvincing. The figures show the general public's severe view
of the US force realignment. The approval rating for the Koizumi
cabinet was 45%, down from the 50% rating in the last survey
conducted in April. The disapproval rating for it was 39%, up
from 36% in last month's.

"Do you think the government has fulfilled its accountability for
the realignment of US forces in Japan?" In response to this
question, "yes" accounted for only 6%. Even among those who
support the Koizumi cabinet and those who support the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party, the affirmative figure was no more than
10%, with the negative figure reaching 80%.

On the side of sharing costs for specific realignment plans,
Japan has agreed to build new facilities at its expense along
with base relocation. In this cost sharing, Japan will pay
approximately 700 billion yen for such facilities to be built in
Guam. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought this
cost sharing was convincing. In response, "yes" accounted for no
more than 17%, far lower than "no." Even among those who support
the Koizumi cabinet, the affirmative figure was 25%, with the
negative figure reaching 69%. The US government has indicated its
estimate of Japan's payment at 3 trillion yen. However, the
Japanese government has yet to show any figure for Japan's
burden. As seen from these figures, the general public seems to
be growing doubtful about Japan's cost-sharing burden.

The force realignment features alleviating Okinawa's base-hosting
burden. In the survey, respondents were asked if they thought it
would lessen Okinawa's burden. In response, public opinion was
split, with affirmative answers totaling 48% and negative answers
accounting for 45%.

Asked about the impact on Japan's national security, 39% said it
would be a plus, with 26% regarding it as a minus. However, 35%,
a considerable portion of the respondents, gave other answers or

TOKYO 00002816 005 OF 011


no answer. In an earlier Asahi Shimbun poll conducted May 13-14
in Okinawa Prefecture, negative answers outnumbered affirmative
ones, with "plus" accounting for 31% and "minus" at 43%.

7) US force realignment brings discord to government; Cabinet
approval for realignment plans likely to be delayed until May 30
or after

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

The government now faces internal discord over the question of
when the cabinet will give the green light to the realignment
plans for US forces in Japan. The Defense Agency (JDA) has called
on the cabinet to approve the plans as quickly as possible, but
the Cabinet Office, wanting to first set a forum with local
municipalities that will be forced to bear a new burden, is
reluctant to agree. The Ministry of Finance (MOF),concerned
about a new financial burden, also wants to take more time for
coordination of views in the government. Cabinet approval for the
realignment plans is likely to be delayed until May 30 or after.

"The sooner the better, and setting a time limit is not our
idea." At a news conference yesterday, Administrative Vice
Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya expressed this frustration with
a delay in cabinet approval for the realignment plans.

The JDA appears somewhat isolated in the government. Deputy Chief
Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi said in a cool tone at a
press conference: "The first thing to do is to speed up the
process of coordination between local municipalities and the
central government. It will take more time to do so before the
timing for cabinet approval is determined."

The JDA had initially insisted that cabinet approval be given on
May 19. But Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, sensing slow
progress in coordinating views among ministries and agencies,
called a halt to the JDA's call. Koizumi is to attend the Japan-
Pacific Islands Forum Summit Meeting that will take place in Nago
City, Okinawa Prefecture, on May 26-27. The city is the planned
relocation site for the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (in
Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture). But there is no prospect that
cabinet approval will be given to the realignment plans before
this summit.

One reason for the delay in cabinet approval is that Okinawa
Prefecture has toughened its attitude. On May 11, Gov. Keiichi
Inamine conveyed his intention to accept the Futenma relocation
plan from Ginowan to Nago to JDA Director-General Fukushiro
Nukaga.
However, Inamine's official stance, perhaps out of concern for
anti-base sentiment in the prefecture, is that he has not agreed
to the government's plans. His real feelings are that it would be
troublesome if the relocation work were facilitated at a faster
pace.

"We hope to see our prefecture's idea of constructing a temporary
helipad reflected in the government's plans." Deputy Gov.
Hirotaka Makino made this request to Deputy Chief Cabinet
Secretary Futahashi yesterday. Gov. Inamine has asserted, "The

SIPDIS
central government will decide where to relocate, but how to
relocate will be decided through consultations with Okinawa." If

TOKYO 00002816 006 OF 011


the central government moved to make the governor lose face,
consultations would only drag on.

The delay in consultations with the Okinawa prefecture would
delay the process of creating relevant bills, as well as the
process of creating local economic stimulus measures to be used
to persuade local municipalities.

The JDA intends to incorporate "carrots" in relevant bills in
order to allocate new subsidies in proportion to the degree of
local governments' cooperation. But the Cabinet Office, which has
jurisdiction over the existing subsidies, is alarmed by the JDA's
move because it may lead to reducing the Cabinet Office's budget
itself. State Minister in Charge of Okinawa Yuriko Koike
commented: "A hasty cabinet approval would only have a negative
impact."

How will Japan manage to pay the relocation-related cost
estimated by US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Lawless at
three trillion yen, in addition to a budget necessary for
economic stimulus measures? MOF takes the view that such a cost
should be paid from the defense budget. MOF has called on the JDA
to find a financial source by reviewing the Mid-term Defense
Buildup Program (Chukibo),which determines equipment purchase
plans and others. The JDA is opposing MOF, arguing that a failure
to maintain deterrent force would be putting the cart before the
horse. Discussions between the two offices have now stalled.

8) Cabinet decision on US force realignment likely to be delayed

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

Calling on Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masahiro Futahashi at
the Prime Minister's Official Residence yesterday, Okinawa Vice
Governor Hirotaka Makino briefed him on Okinawa's plan to build a
temporary heliport on the land portion of Camp Schwab in Nago to
relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Ginowan.
Makino asked that Okinawa's plan be reflected in a cabinet
decision to be made by the government shortly for the
implementation of US force realignment. In response, Futahashi
simply said, "Okinawa's view is now clear."

In a press conference after his meeting with Makino, Futahashi
indicated that a cabinet decision would be deferred, saying: "The
government must first speed up coordination with local
communities. We need a little more time to determine a timeframe
for a cabinet decision."

The government originally planned to make a cabinet decision in
mid-May. But that has been delayed due to Okinawa's strong
opposition to the government-drafted text for a cabinet decision.
The dominant view is that a cabinet decision will come May 30 or
later.

9) Futenma alternative facility: Government's draft plan for
cabinet decision calls for discussion panel to come up with
construction plan by October

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006


TOKYO 00002816 007 OF 011


The contents of the government's draft plan for a cabinet
decision for implementing the Japan-US final agreement on US
force realignment were revealed yesterday. The plan does not
specify the construction of two runways in a V shape in deference
to Okinawa, which has been calling for a temporary heliport to
replace Futenma Air Station. The plan incorporates a policy
course to establish a panel by the central, prefectural, and
affected local governments to discuss concrete construction plans
to come up with specific plans by October.

The relocation site for Futenma Air Station is described as
"waters connecting Cape Henoko, Oura Bay, and Henoko Bay."

Characterizing the final report as a significant achievement
pushing the Japan-US security setup into a new phase and
describing US troops in Japan as the core of the bilateral
security system, the draft plan plays up the importance of US
forces in Japan for maintaining the peace and stability of Japan
and the Asia-Pacific region. The draft then lists specific
realignment plans mentioned in the final plan, such as reducing
the number of US Marines by 8,000 and returning land south of
Kadena Air Base.

10) US warplane drops hatch

YOMIURI (Page 34) (Full)
May 23, 2006

A US warplane mistakenly dropped its fuselage's ejection hatch
yesterday morning when it was in flight over the Tanzawa
mountains in Kanagawa Prefecture after taking off from the US
Navy's Atsugi base in the prefecture, according to the Defense
Facilities Administration Agency. The missing hatch was 60
centimeters square and 13 kilograms. The DFAA received a report
from US Naval Forces Japan (USNFJ) that evening and transmitted
the information to the Kanagawa prefectural government. At the
same time, the DFAA asked USNFJ to investigate the cause of the
incident and take steps to prevent similar incidents. The hatch
contains no hazardous materials or explosives, according to the
DFAA.

According to the DFAA, the US warplane that caused the incident
is a C-2 transport deployed to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
30 Detachment 5. The hatch is believed to have dropped a little
after 7 a.m. However, it has yet to be located. The US military
is expected to search for it today and afterward with cooperation
obtained from local police.

11) Pullout of GSDF troops from Iraq: Government intends to speed
up coordination with Britain and Australia

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

The government is of the view that if the responsibility for
providing security in Muthana Province is turned over to the
Iraqis in line with Prime Minister al-Maliki's vision, the
conditions will be right for a pullout of Ground Self-Defense
Force (GSDF) personnel involved in reconstruction there. It is
already making arrangements with the possibility of withdrawing
GSDF troops as early as July. If British and Australian troops
get in line with Japan, it would make it easier for Japan to

TOKYO 00002816 008 OF 011


persuade the US, which wants GSDF troops to continue their
mission. The government wants to speed up coordination of views
with Britain and Australia over future arrangements.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso will meet with his Australian
counterpart Alexander Downer, who will visit Japan on May 25 to
attend the Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. Tokyo is also
exploring the possibility of holding four-nation talks involving
the US. If it can obtain understanding, it will begin withdrawing
GSDF troops from Iraq after the Japan-US summit to be held in
Washington in late June.

However, since terrorism is continuing in various parts of Iraq,
some are concerned whether the transfer of authority will go as
smoothly as Prime Minister al-Maliki has predicted. A senior
Defense Agency official took a cautious view: "We want to take
the move as a great leap forward. However, it is necessary to see
whether the actual situation permits the transfer of authority."

The government plan is that even if it pulls out GSDF troops, it
will have Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) troops continue
transportation activities out of consideration to the US and the
UN, which are calling for the continuation of assistance
operations. Tokyo intends to have the ASDF's transport operations
cover Baghdad, where the danger of terrorism is high, but it will
likely have to watch the security situation there up to the last
minute.

12) Prime Minister Koizumi to visit Canada before visiting
Washington

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
May 23, 2006

The government is now arranging a schedule for Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi to visit Canada ahead of his scheduled trip to
the United States in late June, government sources revealed
yesterday. Koizumi is expected to meet in Ottawa with his
Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. He will likely to depart on
June 26 for Canada and stay overnight in Ottawa. He plans to
arrive in Washington on the 28th.

13) Interview with PA foreign minister prior to Asia tour: Hamas
places expectations on China as counterforce to US, criticizes
Japan's freeze of aid

YOMIURI (Page 7) (Full)
May 23, 2006

Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Mohmoud al Zahar, a
senior member of the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas,
responded to an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun in Gaza prior
to his planned tour of Asia. He expressed a strong eagerness to
establish relations between the PA and China, saying: "I place
expectations on China as a counterforce to the US."

Foreign Minister Zahar is scheduled to visit Indonesia, Malaysia,
China, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries starting May 25. He
expressed expectations particularly for the China visit,
remarking: "China, which has paid attention to oil in Arab
nations, could be a counterforce to the US in Middle Eastern
diplomatic challenges." He added: "Although the US and Europe

TOKYO 00002816 009 OF 011


have suspended assistance to us, China has offered a helping hand
for a project to construct Foreign Ministry buildings on the West
Bank."

On Japan's freeze of its assistance to Palestinian Authority in
line with the US and Europe, Zahar strongly criticized Japan,
saying: "Japan has taken a stance of siding with Israel. Such a
stance is likely to have some effect on relations between Japan
and the PA in the future."

In reference to a meeting held between PA Chairman Abbas and
Israeli Foreign Minister Livni in Egypt on May 21, Zahar said:
"There was no prior notice about the meeting." Although
indicating that he would not oppose the PA chairman's getting in
touch with the Israeli side, the foreign minister implied the
seriousness of the rift between Chairman Abbas and the Hamas
group, remarking: "We will not implement what the chairman
decided on his own."

On a response to Israel, Zahar said, upon admitting that senior
members of the Fatah and Hamas groups reached an agreement to
recognize Israel's right to exist: "This is a view held by some
persons and is not a final decision." He thus admitted the
existence of perception gaps in the Hamas organization.

14) Prime Minister to announce outlay of 40 billion yen in ODA to
Pacific nations in rivalry with China

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
May 23, 2006

The 4th Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit is to be held in Nago
City, Okinawa, starting on May 26. The government has started
final coordination of views on the outlay of over 40 billion yen
in ODA to 12 Pacific countries and two territories over the next
three years in order to help them strengthen measures against
tsunamis. Prime Minister Koizumi will announce the plan during

SIPDIS
the summit.

In early April, China also announced a plan to extend loans worth
3 billion yuan (approximately 44 billion yen) to island countries
in the region. In recent years, Tokyo has provided over 10
billion yen a year to those countries. It appears to have decided
to boost that amount, countering China, which is trying to
increase its influence in the region. China's ODA will be
extended in the form of loans, while Japan's ODA will focus on
grant aid and technical cooperation.

15) 18 Mindan branches do not support Mindan's decision to
suspend assistance for North Korean escapees

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

Following its reconciliation with the pro-Pyongyang General
Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun),the pro-
Seoul Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) has decided to
temporarily halt the activities of the Center to Support North
Korean Escapees. However, 18 of Mindan's 49 regional headquarters
have decided not to follow this decision, the Mainichi Shimbun
learned through its nationwide poll. The survey points to strong
criticism in Mindan against its decision.

TOKYO 00002816 010 OF 011



The survey also has learned that in addition to the Nagano and
Niigata prefectural headquarters, which have announced that they
will not follow Mindan's reconciliation with Chongryun, two more
headquarters have taken a position of not supporting Mindan's
decision to suspend support activities for North Korean escapees.

The poll was conducted of senior members of all Mindan regional
headquarters across the nation, but seven headquarters refused to
answer questions.

16) "We will compile basic policy properly," says DPJ leader
Ozawa during meeting to exchange views with Nippon Keidanren

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 23, 2006

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ = Minshuto) yesterday held a
meeting in Tokyo to exchange opinions with members of Nippon
Keidanren ((Japan Business Federation). During the meeting DPJ
head Ozawa stressed, "The DPJ is a group of people who share the
same views, though people say otherwise." He thus indicated his
intention to quickly map out a basic policy on such matters as
foreign relations and security, over which the party has been
criticized as lacking unity.

The meeting is the second following one in April last year, when
Katsuya Okada was the party head. Ozawa reiterated: "It cannot be
said that the Liberal Democratic Party's reform is true reform.
It is time for a party with a broad international perspective
free from any restrictions by central government agencies to
assume the reins of government."

However, how effective his statement was is unclear. Asked
whether Nippon Keidanren would cooperate with the DPJ as well,
President-elect Fujio Miterai after the meeting gave an evasive
answer: "I am not yet sure about that. I need more time." Chief
Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe made an ironic comment on the
contact between the DPJ and Nippon Keidanren, "It is a good thing
for the DPJ to learn things."

17) Minshuto making serious efforts to increase support from
women, setting numerical targets and holding lectures to recruit
female candidates

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
May 23, 2006

In preparing for the House of Councilors election and unified
local elections next year, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),
the largest opposition party, has begun making serious efforts to
increase the number of female candidates. Setting numerical
targets for female lawmakers to win seats in both chambers of the
Diet, the party's incumbent lawmakers also teach prospective
female candidates essential know-how for their election
strategies.

"I would like to see female candidates exhibit their real power
in the unified local elections next year," Minshuto President
Ichiro Ozawa said in a speech before the network conference of
female lawmakers yesterday. He also indicated that his party
would increase the number of female candidates running in the

TOKYO 00002816 011 OF 011


local and Upper House elections next year.

Ozawa's comment reflects Minshuto's need to boost female support.
In a nationwide telephone-based poll conducted earlier this month
by the Mainichi Shimbun, Minshuto's support rate recovered to the
20-percent level. By gender, however, support from men was 27%
while that from women was 14%.

One of the reasons is ascribable to the small number of female
lawmakers from Minshuto. Of Minshuto's 113 Lower House lawmakers,
only nine, or 7.96%, are female. The rate is lower than the
Liberal Democratic Party's 8.84%. In fact, Minshuto's ratio is
the lowest among the major parties.

Given that situation, Minshuto will aim to: (1) raise the ratio
of female lawmakers to 20% aiming at the next Lower House
election; and (2) field female candidates in principle in Upper
House constituencies with three seats or more.

Male Minshuto lawmakers are also scheduled to hold a two-day
lecture session on cooking and childrearing on May 27 in Kashiwa,
Chiba. The purpose is to sell the party as an attractive party to
female voters. A party gender equality promotion headquarters
member also noted, "We want President Ozawa to take part in the
event wearing an apron."

18) Agriculture Minister Nakagawa exits Upper House plenary
session due to backache

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
May 23, 2006

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa had
to leave the plenary session of the House of Councillors
yesterday afternoon due to his old backache problem. He stepped
forward to answer questions about a bill revising the Securities
Exchange Law, but what he could was to read only the prepared
text. Amid getting catcalls from opposition lawmakers, he managed
to answer all questions. He then left the session supported by a
security guard.

According to the ministry, Nakagawa's lumbago has worsened over
the past several days, having strained himself in dealing with
the US beef import issue. Since he attended the session taking a
pain killer, he was unsteady on his feet. He left last night for
Paris to attend an informal ministerial meeting of the World
Trade Organization (WTO). His aide expressed concern, saying,
"Can he negotiate with other countries in such bad condition?"

SCHIEFFER