JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/23/06

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