JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 06/09/06

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 06/09/06 TOKYO 00003182 001.2 OF 010 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule Al -Zaqarwi killed by US, Iraqi raid: 4) Prime Minister Koizumi welcomes Al-Zaqarwi's death as a "step forward" in the war on terror 5) With Al-Zaqarwi dead, Tokyo expects public security to return to Iraq, leading to conditions for GSDF withdrawal Defense issues: 6) Ambassador Schieffer in Osaka speech stresses that relocation of Marines on Okinawa premised on completion of alternate facility 7) US, Japan start senior-level talks in Hawaii on 14th to draft detailed plans implementing USFJ realignment agreement 8) Komeito shifted stance on bill raising JDA to ministry in order to pass it this fall and not see it tangled in Upper House election campaign next year North Korea problem: 9) With Pyongyang admitting existence of Kim Young Nam and inviting mother to see him, Tokyo worried the ploy may split Japan-ROK cooperation on abductions 10) Prime Minister Koizumi stresses need for Japan-ROK cooperation to get the abductees home from North Korea 11) Government worried North Korea will now close the books on the abduction issue with its recognition of Kim Young Nam, abductee from ROK 12) LDP, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) at final stage of drafting North Korea human rights bill but hung up over aid to refugees from that country 13) Japan's INPEX enters final coordination tomorrow with Iran on whether to go ahead with Azadegan oil field project 14) Prime Minister Koizumi mulling one-time only cash compensation for emigrants to Dominican Republic 15) LDP considering introducing an environment tax in order to meet target of Kyoto Protocol 16) Alarm spreads over falling stock market, but government intends to hold firm to its reform policy line Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi and Tokyo Shimbun: Akita woman admits to killing 7-year-old boy Mainichi: Livedoor official sent email to Murakami Fund employee that Livedoor would be able to acquire 30% of Nippon Broadcasting Shares Yomiuri: 85 incidents involving passengers trapped inside Schindler-made elevators TOKYO 00003182 002 OF 010 Nihon Keizai: Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry to substantially slash NTT's fiber-optic access charges as early as 2008 Sankei: Al-Zarqawi killed in US raid 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Elevator accident: Pre-incident indicators were ignored (2) Java earthquake: Japan should help support Java residents learning from their mutual support spirit Mainichi: (1) Don't count on safety of elevators too much (2) Internal affairs and communications minister's report lacks viewpoint of users Yomiuri: (1) Ensuring the safety of elevators vital (2) World Cup: Zico Japan to challenge the world Nihon Keizai: (1) Global downturn in stocks urges changes in the money glut (2) Hope for historical and memorable World Cup Sankei: (1) Death of al-Zarqawi should be turning point to end terrorism and conflict in Iraq (2) Reunion of kidnapped son and his mother: Keep close watch on North Korea's strategy of breaking Japan-South Korea cooperation Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Opening of World Cup: Let's make hearts of 30 billion viewers one (2) Responsibility for awarding plagiarized paintings serious 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, June 8 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 10:09 Sent the Emperor and Empress off to Southeast Asia at Haneda Airport. 11:18 Returned to official residence. 11:49 Returned to Kantei. 13:31 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 15:33 Met President Mogae of Botswana. TOKYO 00003182 003.2 OF 010 16:17 Met Futahashi. 17:17 Attended an Intellectual Property Rights Strategic Office meeting. 18:24 Attended a Security Council of Japan meeting. 19:04 Met at Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, Administrative Reform Minister Chuma, Upper House Administrative Reform Special Committee Chairman Otsuji, ruling party directors, and others. 4) A step forward: Koizumi NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Full) June 9, 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday evening welcomed the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most-wanted militant. "Iraqi people provided information in cooperation with the extermination of terrorist networks, so it's a step forward," Koizumi said. He was replying to a question from reporters at his office. Meanwhile, Senior Vice Foreign Minister Katsutoshi Kaneda indicated in a press conference yesterday that the government would keep tabs on the security situation in Iraq. "We hope the security situation in Iraq will change for the better, but it's still unpredictable," Kaneda said. 5) Al-Zarqawi killed; Government expects restoration of public order; Watching carefully Iraqi situation for GSDF pullout TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Al-Qaida's leader in Iraq, reportedly has been killed in a joint US-Iraqi military air strike. The Iraqi government appointed on June 8 the interior minister in charge of civil order and the defense minister. Given those developments, the Japanese government now feels relieved. Officials think that it there will now be a greater chance to restore public security, which has been disrupted by conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi welcomed yesterday these moves in Iraq, saying, "They are signs that the Iraqi people are making efforts to rebuild their country on their own gradually." The government has been carrying out coordination with other countries in order for an early withdrawal of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel stationed in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. If Iraq's public order improves, chances are that the multinational force will be pulled out after the handing over of police authority for Samawah, which is relatively safe, to the Iraqis. However, since it is uncertain how far public order will be restored, the government will carefully assess each new development. Koizumi, referring to withdrawal of GSDF troops, just said, "I will decide comprehensively." He reiterated that he TOKYO 00003182 004 OF 010 would respond to the matter carefully. 6) US Ambassador Thomas Schieffer stresses completion of replacement facilities as precondition for Marine relocation ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer yesterday delivered a speech in Osaka at the invitation of the Asahi Shimbun. Referring to the realignment of US forces in Japan, he said, "US Marines will be moved to Guam after new replacement facilities are built." He again stressed that the completion of construction of alternate facilities based on Japan's cooperation as a precondition for the relocation of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam and Futenma Air Station. He pointed out: "It is too dangerous (from security standpoint) to move before they are ready." He expressed hopes for an early start of construction of the replacement facilities. 7) Senior-working-level talks to start June 14 to map out detailed US force realignment implementation plans SANKEI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) June 9, 2006 The governments of Japan and the United States have decided to hold senior-working-level talks on a detailed implementation plan for US force realignment starting on June 14 in Hawaii. It will be the first senior-working-level talks since the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee (2-plus-2) reached an agreement on the final report on May 1. The two countries will aim to complete the implementation of most realignment plans by 2014, including the relocation of Futenma Air Station. In the upcoming talks, the two countries will study establishing a team tasked with sorting out a set of implementation procedures and specific challenges based on the Japan-US Road Map, as specified in the final report. The two countries intend to produce a construction plan for relocating Futenma Air Station to the coastline of Camp Schwab to present it to a consultative body made up of the central government and local communities. Officials in charge from the US Marines and the Defense Facilities Administration Agency are likely to play a central role in the team. Coinciding with the senior-working-level talks, the Defense Agency, the US Missile Defense Agency, and other offices will also hold a conference to discuss ways to share intelligence on missile defense to deal with ballistic missiles. 8) Defense Ministry bill to be spotlighted ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) June 9, 2006 The government decided in yesterday's meeting of the Security Council to adopt bills upgrading the Defense Agency to the status of a ministry. The bills are in a package of legislative measures to revise the Defense Agency Establishment Law, the Self-Defense Forces Law, and other relevant laws. The government will make a TOKYO 00003182 005 OF 010 cabinet decision today on the legislation and will send it to the Diet. The Defense Agency's ardent wish, time and again coming forward but fading out over the past decade, will now be before the Diet in its current session. However, the government and ruling parties will carry over the legislation to the next Diet session for continued deliberation and will leave it into the hands of the post-Koizumi cabinet. The Diet will soon close its current session. Even so, the government will introduce the legislation to the Diet at the last minute. Behind the scenes, the New Komeito, the coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is worried about next year's simultaneous local elections and House of Councillors election. So the party changed its mind and approved the legislation. The New Komeito held a plenary meeting of its policy board yesterday to discuss the legislation. In the meeting, however, a number of objections were raised. "If the Defense Agency becomes a ministry, it might be difficult to control the Self-Defense Forces," one said in the meeting. Another voiced a question: "I wonder if it's possible to obtain neighboring countries' understanding." There was also a voice insisting on a majority decision. In the end, the Komeito leadership managed to approve the legislation. However, Komeito President Kanzaki released an unusual comment about allowing the SDF to act within the bounds of Article 9 in the Constitution of Japan, prohibiting the right of collective self-defense, and constraining the defense budget. This was out of consideration for deep-seated anxieties and dissatisfaction in the party. In 1997, a government-sponsored advisory panel on administrative reform finalized its report of recommendations. In that final report, the panel referred to the advisability of raising the Defense Agency to a ministry as "an issue to be discussed in the political arena." Since then, the Defense Agency has desired ministry status. Last November, the LDP set forth its intention to present the legislation to the Diet in the current session. Kanzaki and other Komeito executives also changed their minds to accept the idea of giving ministry status to the Defense Agency. In the Komeito, however, there were arguments against that idea. In January this year, the Defense Facilities Administration Agency was found to have been involved in a bid-rigging scandal. The party then stopped its discussion on the matter. In June, however, the Komeito leadership was inclined to present the legislation. "Next year, there will be simultaneous local elections and an upper house election," one of the party's executive officers noted. This officer added: "In and out of our party, there are objections to this troublesome legislation. We can't handle it. There's no choice but to present the bills to the Diet in the current session and fast-track the legislation in this fall's extra session of the Diet." Another Komeito executive was concerned about Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ozawa's political style. "If we scrap the bills, the DPJ would come up with a 'National Defense Ministry' bill, which we can never accept," the party executive said, adding, "He would try to cause a fissure in the ruling TOKYO 00003182 006.2 OF 010 bloc. We don't want to impair our coalition with the LDP." 9) Kim Young Nam to have reunion with his mother; Government on alert against Pyongyang's intention to drive wedge between Japan and South Korea; Tokyo still eager to join efforts with Seoul YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) (June 9, 2006) North Korea's announcement to allow South Korean abductee Kim Young Nam, who is believed to be husband of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota, to meet his mother Choi Gye Wol, has put the Japanese government on high alert. Officials suspect that Pyongyang is using this to drive a wedge between Tokyo and Seoul. The government intends to deal with the matter in close cooperation with South Korea. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters at his official residence last night about the planned reunion between Kim and his family: "I know the family is dying to meet with him, but there are many more abductees. (Japan and South Korea) must cooperate with each other in order to achieve the repatriation of all abductees." Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE in a press conference also underlined the need for the two countries to cooperate, saying: "We would like to consult with South Korea thoroughly on various aspects, including how the reunion will take place, while receiving information from Seoul. It is important for Japan and South Korea to join efforts for rescuing Mr. Kim and Ms. Megumi Yokota." The government has been searching for ways to cooperate with South Korea since it was found in April that Kim and Megumi Yokota were likely husband and wife. This can explain why Tokyo is so concerned that the South Korean public might soften their stance toward the North, disrupting unity between Japan and South Korea as a result. 10) Prime Minister: Japan, ROK need to work together to bring all abductees back to home TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 Prime Minister Koizumi, when asked late yesterday about an analysis that the planned family reunion between South Korean abductee Kim Young Nam and his family members is possibly aimed at driving a wedge between Japan and South Korea, pointed out it is important for Japan and South Korea to continue to work together, noting: "Whatever happens, there are many things for Japan and South Korea to cooperate on. There are many more abductees, so both sides need to cooperate to bring them all back to home." Koizumi also commented: "Family members of abductees may wonder what to do. I'd like to consult with them." He was replying to questions posed by reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. TOKYO 00003182 007 OF 010 11) Tokyo alarmed by Pyongyang's possible move to draw curtain on abduction issue as husband of abductee Megumi is set to meet his family TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) June 9, 2006 Ryuji Watanabe The government has analyzed the planned family reunion in North Korea between Kim Young Nam -- a South Korean abductee believed to be the husband of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota -- and his family members as a sign that Pyongyang intends to draw the curtain on the abduction issue. Tokyo remains firm in keeping its previous position of resolving the issue through dialogue while increasing pressure on North Korea. Back in October 2002, North Korea proposed to Megumi's father, Shigeru, and her mother, Sakie that they come to North Korea and meet Megumi's daughter, Kim Hye Gyong. Megumi's parents declined to visit North Korea, out of concern that if they meet Hye Gyong in North Korea where there is no freedom, North Korea would use the meeting with Megumi's daughter as an occasion to force the parents to accept the death of Megumi as a fact and then to try to draw the curtain on the abduction issue. Kim Young Nam's mother, Choi Gye Wol, visited Japan late May and expressed her desire to meet her son and granddaughter during a question and answer session in the Lower House Special Committee on the Abduction Issue that she attended as a witness. Sakie then told Choi Gye Wol: "As long as they are in North Korea, they definitely cannot say, 'We want to return home.' It's risky for us to visit North Korea." Speaking of the upcoming family reunion between Kim Young Nam and her mother, a government official made this prediction: "Probably, Mr. Kim will give a detailed account of his wife Megumi's death." "The risk cannot be ruled out that his mother, Choi Gye Wol, might not come home for a while," the official added. 12) North Korean human rights bill: Revision talks between LDP, Minshuto in final stretch; Fail to reach agreement on support for North Korean defectors YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) June 9, 2006 The Liberal Democratic Party and Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) held revision talks yesterday on a North Korean human rights bill to deal with the North's violations of human rights, such as abductions. But they failed to reach an agreement on national assistance to North Korean defectors. They will discuss the matter today as well. In order for the bill to clear the Diet in the ongoing session, it has to pass through the Lower House no later than June 13. The two parties will make every effort to enact the bill. The LDP and the New Komeito and Minshuto have submitted their own draft bills to the Lower House. Yesterday's session was held among the LDP's Ichiro Aisawa and Kazuaki Miyaji and Minshuto's TOKYO 00003182 008 OF 010 Hiroshi Nakai, Masaharu Nakagawa, and Jin Matsubara. The LDP formally presented revisions to the draft bill produced by the ruling coalition. The ruling coalition's revised plan is designed to make North Korean defectors, in addition to abductees, subjects to Japan's relief measures for the victims of the violations of human rights by the North. Specifically, the revised plan includes such new phrase, such as: "The government shall make efforts to take appropriate measures for North Korean defectors." The revised plan that reflects Minshuto's standpoint to some extent points to the ruling coalition's desire for early enfacement. While giving a positive assessment to the revised plan, Minshuto demanded: "The expression "to make efforts" is not sufficient. Support measures for North Korean defectors should be specified in a more lucid way." The views of the two parties remained wide apart. Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE noted in a press conference yesterday: "It is significant to enact a human rights bill. It will allow Japan to send out a message that the abduction issue must be resolved." 13) Iranian petroleum minister: Iran to enter final-stage negotiations with Japan on Azadegan oil-field development possibly tomorrow YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 Norito Kudo, Teheran Iranian Petroleum Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh said on June 7 that Iran would enter the final stage of negotiations with Japan as early as June 10 on the development of the Azadegan oil field located in southwestern Iran, according to the news agency operated by the Iranian Petroleum Ministry. Inpex Corp. has been granted concession rights for the field. Vaziri-Hamaneh stated: "Iran will probably reach an agreement with Japan in the final-stage negotiations on starting the development," but he added: "If we fail to find common ground, Iran will independently exploit the field." He thus indicated that Iran would cancel the given concession rights should the talks end in failure. As the main reason for the delay in launching the Azadegan project, Inpex Corp. has cited the landmines laid down during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) that have yet to be completely removed. But the petroleum minister indicated his willingness to try to find a breakthrough at the upcoming negotiations. 14) Government to offer financial handout to Japanese emigrants to Dominican Republic, following Prime Minister Koizumi's order; Specific action will take shape in July MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) June 9, 2006 TOKYO 00003182 009.2 OF 010 The government yesterday began discussions to offer a lump-sum payment to Japanese emigrants to the Dominican Republic, following the recent outcome of the suit over the government campaign for emigration there. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to study such a payment and how much money should be offered to those emigrants. Later in the day, Koizumi asked former Health Minister Hidehisa Otsuji, who has handled the Dominican emigration issue, to discuss specific steps with MOFA. Koizumi late yesterday met with Otsuji and others at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and revealed his intention to work out a new set of measures by the end of July at the latest, saying: "It's time for politicians to deal with the problem. July 29 will mark the 50th anniversary of their emigration. I hope we can celebrate it in a pleasant way." Koizumi asked Otsuji "to act as a coordinator with MOFA and come up with a set of relief measures." The Tokyo District Court in its decision made on July 7 dismissed the plaintiffs' claim, citing the statute of limitations, but it recognized the government's failure to fulfill its legal duty. The lump-sum payment the government plans to offer is intended to fulfill its moral duty. As for how much money will be paid, a government official indicated that the government would discuss the amount based on the 3.1 billion yen claimed by the plaintiffs as compensation. 15) LDP research panel calls for introducing environment tax to reach Kyoto target YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 The Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on the Environment, chaired by House of Representatives member Takashi Kosugi, submitted to Environment Minister Koike yesterday a report of recommendations to achieve the target set in the Kyoto Protocol for Japan's cut in greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for introducing an environment tax and other measures. The Kyoto pact requires Japan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. Japan's emissions of such gases in 2004, though, were up 8% over a year earlier. The report stresses the need to adopt a philosophy of protecting the environment in the nation's tax system. Chairman Kosugi commented: "We have been calling for an environment tax. But the public and private sectors must study things more extensively and take feasible measures; otherwise, it will be difficult for Japan to meet the goal." 16) Government stresses determination to hold fast to reform line, out of concern over further plunge in stock prices NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) June 9, 2006 Senior members of the government and the ruling parties reiterated yesterday the policy maintaining the current reform course after the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in September. They are worried that a spread of the image of the reform line being downplayed might bring down stock prices TOKYO 00003182 010.2 OF 010 further. The Nikkei Stock Average of 225 selected issues tumbled below 15,000 yesterday. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters at his official residence yesterday: "Although the Japanese stock market has been affected by the US economy, the Japanese economy has been steadily recovering." He expressed his view that the stock plunge will be only temporarily. New Komeito President Takenori Kanzaki also emphatically said: "Various indicators show that the Japanese economy itself has not lost momentum." With an eye on the September presidential race, senior LDP members have begun to move to alter the reform course. LDP House of Councillors' Caucus Chairman Mikio Aoki has opposed proposed spending cuts. LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hidenao Nakagawa told reporters at party headquarters: "Reform will not move backward." Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe, the most likely candidate to succeed Koizumi, also said in a press conference: "If the coalition of the LDP and the New Komeito is maintained, the Koizumi reform line will be continued." SCHIEFFER