Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3676
2006-07-03 01:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/03/06

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHKO #3676/01 1840130
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030130Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3896
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9616
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7001
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0289
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6902
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8160
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3070
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9219
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0973
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 003676 

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 07/03/06


Index:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 003676

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 07/03/06


Index:

1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's weekend, daily schedules

Koizumi on stage:
4) Prime Minister Koizumi goes to Graceland, singing, dancing,
feeling like Elvis
5) - "My dream came true": Prime Minister Koizumi

China, ROK issues:
6) President Bush concerned about Japan-China ties
7) China vessel surveys disputed waters near Senkakus
8) High tensions mounting again between Japan, ROK over waters
around disputed islets

Political news & opinion polls:
9) Ex-PM Hashimoto dies at 68
10) Japanese public severe on Japan's postwar history in Mainichi
poll
11) Fukuda supporters opposed to Prime Minister Koizumi's Yasukuni
visits, structural reforms while Abe supporters favor both: Tokyo
Shimbun online poll

Defense issues:
12) USFJ to deploy PAC-3s to Okinawa this month, shoot down at own
judgment
13) GOJ, LDP mull Japan's largest hub in Okinawa on the sidelines of
USFJ realignment
14) Lawmakers worked on DFAA bureau for local contractors

WTO ministerial:
15) US, Japan farm ministers confirm close cooperation on US beef
import resumption
16) Farm minister blames US for failure to reach agreement

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
In bid-rigging by Sendai Defense Facilities Administration Bureau,
14 lawmakers and secretaries received money in return for influence
peddling

Mainichi:
Poll shows tough look at Japan's record over 60-year postwar period,
with 42% see government apologies as "insufficient;" 24% "does not
welcome" light-arming policy

Yomiuri:
Major credit guarantee firm gives 8 million yen to LDP lawmaker,

another to avoid tax audits

Nihon Keizai:
Of major firms, 90% reemploy retired workers, instead of extending
retirement age, in accordance with revised law

Sankei:
Power Line Communication (PLC) for high-speed Internet service via
wall socket to become available possibly this fall

TOKYO 00003676 002 OF 009



Tokyo Shimbun:
On PAC-3 missiles to be deployed in Okinawa, firing to be determined
based on only US military's judgment, with no agreement reached on
operations

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Judgment of guilty of public servant for distributing political
party's leaflets unconvincing
(2) Last efforts needed for WTO

Mainichi:
(1) Abduction of female college student: Thorough measures necessary
against crimes by foreigners
(2) Cheap, convenient public services, from public viewpoint,
desired

Yomiuri:
(1) License renewal system meaningless for teachers
(2) G-8 foreign ministerial: Don't allow Iran, North Korea to buy
time

Nihon Keizai:
(1) Sound sense of tension spread across annual shareholders
meetings

Sankei:
(1) Idea of expanding Chidorigafuchi Graveyard needs caution
(2) Government urged to hammer out measures to prevent illegal acts
by researchers

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Public servants: reform of consciousness more necessary than
reduction of number
(2) International Science Olympics should be made opportunity to
have young people become interested in science

3) Prime Minister's schedule, June 29 & 30

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
July 1, 2006

June 29
US local time

Morning
Attended a joint press conference at the White House.

Afternoon
Attended a luncheon hosted by Vice US President Cheney in
Washington, DC. Offered flowers at Arlington National Cemetery, and
later visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to express
sympathy to US soldiers injured during their stationing in Iraq.
Photography at the White House. Arrived at the Blair House. Stayed
there.

June 30

Morning
Left Andrews Air Base in a suburb of Washington, DC, aboard Air

TOKYO 00003676 003 OF 009


Force One. Arrived at Memphis Air Base in Tennessee. Visited Elvis
Presley's home, Graceland, in Memphis City.

Prime Minister's schedule, June 30 & July 1

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
July 2, 2006

June 30
US local time

Afternoon
Visited the Lorraine Motel, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. was killed, in Memphis City. Attended a luncheon hosted by
President Bush. Left Memphis Air Base aboard a government plane.

July 1
Japan time

17:53
Arrived at Hamada Airport

18:29
Made a condolatory call at the late Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto's house for his death.

18:43
Arrived at his official residence.

Prime Minister's schedule, July 2

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
July 3, 2006

Stayed at the official residence all day.

4) Koizumi visits Elvis Presley's home, singing, dancing; US media
unprecedentedly cover the visit prominently

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
Eve., July 1, 2006

Aya Igarashi, Memphis, Tenn.

The US media prominently covered Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to
the US in an unprecedented way. His unique style like singing Elvis
Presley's songs in public and President Bush's exceptional
hospitality attracted the media's attention.

CNN, ABC, NBC, FOX and other major US networks reported the visit of
Prime Minister Koizumi to Graceland, home of Elvis Presley, in
Memphis, Tenn. together with President Bush and his wife, as their
top news on the evening of June 30. The media aired footage of
Koizumi singing and doing an imitation of Presley, playing the
guitar in the late singer's home. NBC TV reported: "Koizumi, who is
one of the big fans of Presley in Japan, showed it unlike the prime
minister of a nation."

5) Koizumi excited at Graceland

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
Evening, July 1, 2006

TOKYO 00003676 004 OF 009



Memphis, Kyodo

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi toured on June 30 the legendary
rock star Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee,
with President George W. Bush and his wife. "My dream came true,"
Koizumi, a Presley admirer, said excitingly after the tour.

Warmly received by Presley's former wife Priscilla, daughter Lisa
Marie, and others, Koizumi did an imitation of Elvis wearing his
sunglasses. Putting his arm around Lisa Maries, Koizumi even sang,
"Hold me close, hold me tight" - a verse from Elvis' song, "I Want
You, I Need You, I Love You."

Graceland, where Presley spent 20 years and now rests in peace, is a
holy place for Elvis fans.

Bush, who served as Koizumi's tour guide, said: "I knew that the
prime minister loved Elvis, but I didn't realize how much."

After Graceland, the two leaders visited the Lorraine Motel, where
civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
The motel is now the National Civil Rights Museum. Koizumi left for
Japan on a government plane on the afternoon of June 30.

6) US president concerned over worsening Japan-China relations;
Settlement carried over to successor to Koizumi

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
July 1, 2006

US President Bush during the Japan-US summit on June 29 referred to
the worsening Japan-China relations. It appears that his reference
to the issue reflected concerns felt by US government officials.
Prime Minister Koiuzmi, however, remained firm on his position that
the problem has been China's rejection to a call for holding a
summit because of his visits to Yasukuni Shrine. The issue will
likely be carried over to the next administration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had viewed that President
Bush would not bring up the Japan-China relations issue during the
summit. That is because Koizumi explained to Bush in Kyoto that his
visits to Yasukuni are a matter of the heart. The president
apparently had to touch on this issue, as there have been no signs
of improvement in Japan-China relations since then.

A senior MOFA official yesterday noted: "The president well
understands that paying homage at Yasukuni Shrine carries special
weight in the prime minister. He probably wanted to ask the prime
minister how he is going to deal with Japan's relationship with
China." The Bush administration is seeking equal partnership between
the two countries. He expects Japan to display leadership for peace
and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, but the present
Japan-China relations are instead working to destabilize the region,
as a source familiar with Japan-US relations put it.

The prime minister is increasingly criticizing China. During the
summit, he categorically said that he is dissatisfied with China's
response. Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe on June 30 told a news
conference, "I do not think that the US is concerned about
Japan-China relations." In reality, however, the growing view in the
Liberal Democratic Party is that unless the post-Koizumi

TOKYO 00003676 005 OF 009


administration improves Japan-China relations, even Japan-US
relations will lose ground, as a former cabinet minister put it.

Another unexpected point for the Japanese government was that the US
media showed only a weak interest in the summit. During a joint
press conference after the summit, a number of US reporters asked
the president about the issue of the US Navy Base at Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba. But no reporters asked questions to Prime Minister Koizumi.

7) China sends survey ship to waters near Senkaku islets without
giving prior notice to Japan

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
July 3, 2006

A patrol boat based at the 11th Regional Headquarters of the Japan
Coast Guard (JCG) in Naha City, Okinawa, spotted China's marine
survey boat Dongfangfond No. 2 navigating within Japan's exclusive
economic zone (EEZ),24 kilometers southwest of Uotsuri Island, one
of the Senkaku islets, at around 5.50 a.m. yesterday. The patrol
boat warned the Chinese ship to stop the survey. Later in the day,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) protested to the Chinese
Embassy in Tokyo against the survey, noting, "No prior notice has
arrived at us." But the Chinese Embassy said only this comment:
"We'll confirm whether there was such a fact."

In a portion of the sea area, Japan and China have yet to determine
their boundaries of their respective EEZs. The two countries have
agreed that if either of the two countries plans to conduct a marine
survey, the survey plan should be informed to the other side.

According to the JCG's 11th Regional Headquarters, this is the first
marine survey by China conducted in the waters around the Senkaku
islets without giving any prior notice to Japan in two years. The
patrol boat warned the Chinese boat in Chinese and English: "You are
not allowed to conduct any survey within Japan's EEZ without
informing Japan in advance. You should immediately stop the survey."
The Chinese boat, however, did not respond to Japan's warning and
continued the survey by collecting seawater in navigating toward the
northeast direction until early hours of this morning, when it went
out of Japan's EEZ.

8) Tensions grow again over Takeshima/Dokdo islets as ROK marine
survey boat heads for islets despite Japan's call for
self-restraint

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Lead paragraph)
July 3, 2006

Tensions are again growing over the Takeshima/Dokdo islets claimed
by both Japan and South Korea. A South Korean marine survey boat
left for the islets last night in order to begin a current survey
starting today, despite Japan's request for self-restraint. Concerns
about a possible rekindling of the dispute over the islets, like the
one in April over Japan's plan for a seabed survey, are also
increasing. Meanwhile, China yesterday dispatched a marine survey
boat to waters near the Senkaku islands without giving a prior
notice to Japan. Hardliners in the government and the ruling parties
are likely to toughen their stance even further toward South Korea
and China.

9) Former Prime Minister Hashimoto dies at 68

TOKYO 00003676 006 OF 009



ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
July 2, 2006

Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto died of multiple organ
failure and septic shock at 2:00 p.m. on July 1 at a Tokyo hospital.
He was 68 years old. Hashimoto made efforts to reorganize the
central government offices and for financial reconstruction. After
he stepped down from the prime minister's post, he chaired "Heisei
Study Group," the largest of all factions in the Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP). Although he ran again in the 2001 LDP presidential
race, he was defeated by incumbent Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
He resigned as the chairman of the LDP faction over a scandal
involving a 100 million yen donation from the Japan Dental
Association. He retired from politics last year when he said he
would not run in the House of Representatives election the following
month. In accordance with the family's wishes, information on the
funeral service will not be made public. Hashimoto's home address is
3-5-49-603, Minami-Azabu, Minato Ward, Tokyo.

10) Poll: 42% say government apologies over WWII insufficient; 24%
do not support light armament; Perception gap between public and
lawmakers

MAINICHI (Top Play) (Lead para.)
July 3, 2006

The Mainichi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide poll in
mid-June to compare the views of the public and Diet members on
history and other questions. When asked about the Japanese
government's apologies and self-reflection over the country's
conducts during World War II, 42% said "insufficient," while 36%
replied "sufficient." In response to the same question, 51% of
lawmakers replied positively, with 33% negatively. The relatively
high%age of the public was negative toward the postwar Japan's
policy of arming itself with light arms and attaching importance to
the economy. The result of the poll made it clear that the public
saw more severely the postwar history of Japan than Diet members.

11) Poll: Supporters for Fukuda oppose both Koizumi's Yasukuni
Shrine visits and his reform drive; Abe's backers support both

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Lead para.)
July 1, 2006

The Tokyo Shimbun conducted on June 30 an online survey on 500
people. According to the survey's results, most of people supporting
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is regarded as a most likely
candidate in this September's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
presidential election, supported the government of Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi and favored Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine.
On the other hand, a majority of backers of Yasuo Fukuda, a former
chief cabinet secretary, was critical of the Koizumi government and
opposed the prime minister's Yasukuni visits. The result of the poll
highlighted that the Koizumi reform drive and official visits to the
Shinto shrine by the prime minister would become a major issue in
the upcoming LDP presidential election.

12) US military to deploy PAC-3 missiles in Okinawa this month; With
no agreement with Japan, US military to operate system
independently


TOKYO 00003676 007 OF 009


TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
July 3, 2006

The US military is scheduled to deploy PAC-3 ground-to-air missile
interceptors at a US military base in Japan as early as this month
in accordance with the Japan-US final agreement on US force
realignment. However, the operation of the system is left entirely
to the US, as there is no agreement between the two countries,
according to sources yesterday. The firing of an interceptor by the
US without Tokyo's consent would constitute a violation of Japan's
sovereignty. Furthermore, in the event of a PAC-3 missile falling
down, it could develop into a matter of compensation for secondary
damage. On the backdrop of North Korea's preparations for a
Taepodong-2 missile launch, the US force realignment to enhance
defense cooperation between Japan and the United States is moving
forward without properly addressing its challenges.

The deployment of PAC-3 missiles and their swift operation are
specified in the US force realignment final report, produced by
Tokyo and Washington in May. Given North Korea's signs of launching
a Taepodong-2 missile, the US has swiftly come up with a plan to
deploy 24 sets of PAC-3 missiles at four surface-to-air missile
units at Kadena Air Base.

Any case corresponding to a significant change in equipment requires
prior consultations between Japan and the United States in
accordance with the bilateral security treaty. Tokyo, however, does
not to intend to pour cold water on the planned PAC-3 deployment.

Does firing a PAC-3 interceptor require Tokyo's request and
approval? Do the wishes of the US military suffice? There are no
fixed answers to those questions, as no agreement exists between the
two countries on requirements for PAC-3 launches.

Japan has revised the Self-Defense Force Law to be ready for the Air
Self-Defense Force to deploy the PAC-3 system next March. The
revised SDF law allows the ASDF to intercept incoming missiles upon
obtaining the prime minister's approval after recognizing such
signs. But because Japanese law does apply to US forces in Japan,
they can operate the system at it's own volition for the time
being.

A PAC-3 missile is launched to intercept a ballistic missile. It
will blow itself up if it misses the target. Even if it successfully
hit the target, its debris falls on the ground. No matter how
strongly the US military insists on the defense of its base,
intercepting a missile is undeniably a military action. Launching an
interceptor missile involves the danger of adversely affecting areas
outside a US base and inflicting on Japan's sovereignty. A senior
Defense Agency official has likened filing a PAC-3 missile to a US
serviceman trying to catch a thief outside a US base.

Debris of a PAC-2 missile launched by the US military during the
Gulf War to intercept an Iraqi ballistic missile fell on a
residential area, causing damage. Debris of a PAC-3 missile may also
cause similar damage. But there is no agreement between Japan and
the US on compensation.

Given America's speedy preparations for the deployment of the PAC-3
system without prior consultations with Japan, a Foreign Ministry
US-Japan Security Treaty Division official noted: "Talks are
underway between the two countries on a set of conditions for US

TOKYO 00003676 008 OF 009


forces in Japan to launch PAC-3 missiles. We want to reach a
conclusion swiftly."

13) Government, ruling camp eye nation's largest distribution center
in Okinawa as economic incentive to facilitate US force realignment
plans

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
July 3, 2006

In an effort to smoothly implement the agreed plans to realign US
forces in Japan, including the transfer of the US Marine Corps
Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa, to Nago City, the
government and the ruling camp are working out a package of economic
stimulation measures for Okinawa. The eye-catcher in the package
disclosed yesterday is the construction of the nation's largest
distribution center as a hub for goods imported from China, Taiwan
and other countries to be assorted and briefly kept at a port
facility to be constructed in Urasoe City.

Specifically, by offering financial support, like subsidies, the
government and the ruling parties plan to minimize charges for using
the port facility. They also plan to lobby for companies to join
this project. The Cabinet Office plans to include the
feasibility-study cost in its budgetary request for next fiscal year
in August. The government is willing to incorporate such measures in
the latter five-year Okinawa economic promotion plan due out next
March.

The realignment plans agreed on between Japan and the US include a
measure to return the Makiminato Service Area adjacent to the new
port facility to Japan. Since there are warehouses used by the US
military, the government estimates the total construction cost for
the new facility at billions of yen.

14) Influence peddling by 14 lawmakers and their secretaries over
the Sendai Defense Facilities Administration Bureau in connection
with its orders for purchase of land discovered in files left by
former senior bureau official

ASAHI (Top play) (Lead paragraph)
July 3, 2006

A senior official of the Sendai Defense Facilities Administration
Bureau have left files showing that there were influence peddling
cases involving lawmakers and their secretaries over the Defense
Facilities Administration Agency's (DFAA) orders for construction
works and purchase of land while he was in office, according to
documents obtained by the Asahi Shimbun. The real names of 14 those
people, including an incumbent lawmaker, who has served as Defense
Agency (JDA) director-general, are mentioned in the documents. Of
them, two lawmakers admitted they had exercised their influence on
the JDA. This former senior DFAA official also put down in his
business diary how he was urged by lawmakers to designate
construction companies they proposed in biddings and other matters.

15) Japanese, US agriculture ministers reaffirm close cooperation
for US beef import resumption

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full)
July 1, 2006


TOKYO 00003676 009 OF 009


Geneva, Takeshi Kawanami

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shoichi Nakagawa on
June 30 met with his US counterpart Secretary of Agriculture Johanns
at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Headquarters office and
exchanged views on the issue of the resumption of US beef imports by
Japan, which the two countries had earlier agreed on. The two
agriculture chiefs highly evaluated the measures to prevent BSE,
which both countries have tackled, and reaffirmed their stance of
continuing close cooperation.

After the meeting, Nakagawa told reporters: "The US did not make any
special requests. We have come this far, based on the mutual
relationship of trust." The governments of Japan and the US had
already agreed to reinstate the beef trade under conditions,
including prior inspections of US meat packers by Japanese experts.
Imports will begin as early as late July.

16) "US response was insufficient," Agriculture Minister Nakagawa
criticizes, following failure to reach agreement during session

ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
June 3, 2006

Geneva, Yasuhi Sato

Winding up an informal ministerial meeting at the World Trade
Organization (WTO),Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister
Shoichi Nakagawa and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro
Nikai on the evening of July 1 (early hours of July 2, Japan time)
held a joint press conference at WTO headquarters. Nakagawa
indicated his view that a gap in views of the US and the EU was the
reason why the meeting failed to reach agreement on new agricultural
trade liberalization.

Nakagawa highly evaluated the announcement by the EU on its decision
to further reduce tariffs on agricultural products. He, on the other
hand, criticized the US, which continued to turn down a call for
reducing its domestic subsidies, noting, "The US failed to come up
with an adequate response."

Both Nakagawa and Nikai said, "The talks bogged down before
participating countries showed their key cards." He said that Japan
had concession plans in hand on the rates of cuts on tariffs on
agricultural products and mined and manufactured products, but there
were no opportunities to present the plan.

SCHIEFFER