DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/03/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 003711

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SIPDIS

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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/03/06


INDEX:

(1) Five years of Koizumi diplomacy (Part 1) -- Cooperation with US:
Top leaders of two countries enjoy honeymoon-like relations, while a
gulf exists between working-level officials of the two countries

(2) Editorial: Japanese, US leaders stage-manage best shot

(3) Editorial: Strategic ties also with Canada

(4) GSDF to establish Civil Military Cooperation in Central
Readiness Command (CRC) for "battlefront" missions

(5) Editorial: US Navy Base at Guantanamo should be closed

(6) Poll on Japan-US war, Japan-China war, Tokyo Trials, Japan's
postwar economy-oriented stance

ARTICLES:

(1) Five years of Koizumi diplomacy (Part 1) -- Cooperation with US:
Top leaders of two countries enjoy honeymoon-like relations, while a
gulf exists between working-level officials of the two countries

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

At a time when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "The United
States is not alone in fighting the evil. It's always with its
allies. Japan stands united with the US," President George W. Bush's
eyes appeared for a moment to become somewhat misty with tears.

Koizumi said so at an official banquet on the night of June 29. The
approval ratings for Bush remain low with no exit of the Iraq issue
yet in sight. Koizumi's words and lengthy applause to them appeared
to please Bush, who is isolated in the international community.

Also, Koizumi mentioned Elvis Presley this way: "The first English
song I sang was Elvis' 'I want you, I need you, I love you.'"

The following day, on June 30, Bush and Koizumi flew to Memphis,
Tennessee, aboard Air Force One, and visited Elvis' home,
Graceland.

Five years ago, on June 30, Koizumi visited the presidential retreat
Camp David. After exchanging greetings in his first meeting with
Bush, Koizumi began emphasizing the importance of the Japan-US
alliance to Bush. Koizumi said to Bush: "As Elvis said, I want you,
I need you, and I love you." He also mentioned, "Japan's stance is
not to blindly follow America's footsteps. Japan will work together
with the US."

"'He is amazing,' the president remarked,'" a US government official
said, looking back on those days. Koizumi at the time gave an
impression to the US that "he is the person who says clearly he can
do what he thinks he can do and he cannot do what he thinks he
cannot do," according to a US government official.

In fact, Koizumi decided to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force
vessels to the Indian Ocean and then Ground Self-Defense Force
troops to Iraq. Owing to these bold decisions on overseas troop
dispatches, Koizumi is "portrayed as having crossed the Rubicon
twice for the president," according to a senior official of the

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). These decisions won him the full
confidence of the president.

Koizumi dislikes his being described as "blindly following the US,"
according to a senior government official.

When Koizumi ran for a Lower House seat for the first time in 1969,
he stressed the need for self-reliant national defense. He argued at
the time: "The Japan-US Security Treaty is not something that will
be definitely unchangeable. Japan should have its own vision of
national defense." Koizumi had never used the term "Japan-US
alliance" in the Diet sessions before he took office as prime
minister.

Koizumi's current pro-US stance apparently consists of not only
friendship but also political calculations. A senior Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker close to Koizumi explained: "For the
prime minister, who enjoys high popularity but whose base in the
party is relatively weak, the Bush administration's support for him
has been of great significance."

For the president, too, Koizumi has a strong presence.

"My father fought with Japan sixty years ago, and now, I am
discussing peace with the Japanese prime minister."

This is the president's pet phrase. When meeting with the criticism
that the Iraq issue has mired in confusion, Bush almost always cites
Japan as a successful example of democratization to justify the war
on terror in Iraq.

Over the handling of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
issue, Bush instructed his staff: "You should not act to drive Mr.
Koizumi into a corner." The president also put a halt to the move by
the US Department of State to pressure Japan to given up on its plan
to develop the Azadegan oil field in Iran.

However, there is a limit to the influence of the friendship between
the leaders on bilateral relations as a whole.

For example, on the realignment of US forces Japan, the
working-level talks of officials from the two countries went
nowhere. Former Director of Japan Affairs David Straub began
criticizing in public the Bush administration's North Korea policy.

The United States is turning its eyes to rising China and India.
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell pointed
out: "In the US government, there are no officials deeply involved
in Japan-US relations at present." "Prime Minister Koizumi will step
down shortly, and a new president will come into office in two
years. Depending on circumstances, Japan and the US may not have any
close ties not only at the top level but also at the working level
in the future," he added.

The gaps are widening among working-level officials of the two
countries.

Prime Minister Koizumi, who has built a honeymoon-like relationship
with the Bush administration will soon leave the diplomatic stage.
We will review the five years of Koizumi diplomacy.

(2) Editorial: Japanese, US leaders stage-manage best shot


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

Could anyone expect anything better than this hospitality? That was
probably not only because Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and
United States President George W. Bush have good chemistry. During
the Koizumi-Bush period for over five years, the Japanese government
have dispatched Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels to the
Indian Ocean and Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops to Iraq,
resulting in deepening the Japan-US alliance. The joint statement
issued after the Koizumi-Bush summit confirmed that the alliance
would expand the scope of its functions further, noting: "The two
leaders heralded a new Japan-US alliance of global cooperation for
the 21st century."

In October 2000, prior to the presidential election, an expert group
on foreign policy in the US released a comprehensive report on Japan
policy. The so-called Armitage-Nye Report called on the Japanese
government to alter its interpretation regarding the right to
collective self-defense in the Constitution, hoping to develop the
Japan-US alliance into a mature political alliance, like the one
between the US and Britain. The Koizumi administration rejected the
proposed change of the interpretation, but in actuality, it accepted
Washington's request in general and dispatched fleets and troops to
the Indian Ocean and Iraq.

Under the leadership of Koizumi and Bush, Japan and the US have
addressed a host of bilateral issues based on their strengthened
security relations. Although there are also trade issues, like the
conflict over the issue of Japan's ban on US beef imports, such
trade issues are different in nature from those in the 1980s and the
1990s. Regarding foreign policy, there are also points on which both
countries cannot agree. For instance, the US has taken a realistic
stance toward India and a principle-like stance toward Myanmar, but
Tokyo's stances toward these two countries are totally different
from Washington's.

Japan and the US, however, share almost the same position on issues
that will affect their national security, like the North Korean and
Iranian nuclear development programs. Remembering his meeting with
Sakie Yokota, the mother of abductee Megumi Yokota, Bush said in a
press conference his heart was ready to break. It is unprecedented
for a state leader to make such a remark. If two countries, while
remaining at odds over certain issues, are in accord on basic issues
and if such relations are defined as matured, Japan-US relations
might be approaching a matured one.

Some observers analyze that Japan-US alliance is becoming
hollowed-out at the working level, focusing on the departure of
Armitage and other experts on Japanese affairs from the Bush
administration. The situation, though, is quite different from that
of a dozen years ago. At that time, the weakness of relations
between the Japanese and US leaders was cited as a problem. In its
survey of 14 countries, the Pure Research Center found that Japan is
the most pro-American country, with 63% of the Japanese surveyed
replying that they have goodwill toward the US.

The Koizumi-Bush era will end in September. Are Japan-US relations
at their peak now or still in the process to their peak?

(3) Editorial: Strategic ties also with Canada

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)

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July 2, 2006

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi last week met with Canadian Prime
Minister Harper in Ottawa. The two leaders agreed to deepen
bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields. The
Harper administration has come into existence, following the first
changeover of administration in about 12 years in that country with
the conservative party beating the liberal party in the general
election this January. Taking advantage of this first summit, the
two countries should build a more strategic relationship through
close dialogues and search for areas where they can cooperate with
each other.

The prime minister's visit to Canada has a more significant meaning
than that he stopped over there on his way to the US. Harper is
determined to have positive involvement in the Asian region, the
growth center of the global economy. He has shown eagerness to
strengthen relations with Japan, which have not necessarily been
close. He categorically showed interest in signing a free trade
agreement with Japan. This is the expression of his strong
diplomatic desire.

Canada is becoming even more important as Japan's partner in the
international community. It is essential for Japan to maintain a
stable economic relationship with that country as a supplier of
natural resources, such as energy resources and minerals, based on
mutual trust.

For instance, it is viewed that Canada has oil sand reserves
equivalent to oil reserves in Saudi Arabia. Though there are some
problems to be solved, including a high cost of extracting the
material, it is drawing attention as a next-generation source of
energy amid the high crude oil prices.

China is highly interested in that nation's oil sand and is also
eager to procure uranium from it. China has begun strengthening
relations with Canada. A Chinese company tried to buy a Canadian
resources company last year, though the takeover bid failed due to
commercial reasons. We must not disregard the reality that
competition, which can be called a battle to obtain natural
resources, is taking place.

There are many things Japan can learn from Canada. Prime Minister
Harper has pledged to cut the goods and services tax, which is
equivalent to Japan's consumption tax. This is a result of Canada
having achieved fiscal reconstruction through strict spending cuts
without depending on tax hikes. Japan can learn good lessons from
it. Canada with multicultural history has rich experience in
accepting foreign workers and immigrants. Its example will become a
good guide for Japan, which is suffering from the declining
birthrate.

During the summit, Canada has pledged assistance to Japan over the
North Korea issue and cooperation for the stabilization of
Afghanistan. The post-Koizumi administration should further develop
bilateral ties with it.

(4) GSDF to establish Civil Military Cooperation in Central
Readiness Command (CRC) for "battlefront" missions

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Abridged)
July 3, 2006


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Based on its lessons from the 30 months of mission at the
"battlefront" in Iraq, the Ground Self-Defense Force has decided to
establish a military-civilian cooperation unit called the Civil
Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in its Central Readiness Command to be
established next March exclusively for overseas missions. The SDF's
overseas activities will move into full swing under the slogan of
improving the international security situation, as was shown by the
realignment of US force realignment.

The GSDF's overseas activities date back to UN peacekeeping
operations in 1992. In those days, dispatched GSDF troops mostly
restored roads, bridges, and other facilities. But since the mission
in East Timor in 2002, the GSDF has also hired locals to create
jobs, such as operating heavy machinery.

Iraq mission

In Iraq, the GSDF established CIMIC composed of about ten senior
officials responsible for construction and other work.

CIMIC was tasked with making arrangements with the Muthanna Province
Reconstruction Committee and ordering the engineering unit to hire
locals for restoration work. Over 3,000 Iraqi workers were hired
daily.

CIMIC met twice a week to play a central role in the GSDF's support
activities in Iraq.

In early days of the Iraq mission, the GSDF did not know the concept
of CIMIC.

Back then, Dutch forces, which were responsible for the security of
Muthanna Province, were pushing ahead with reconstruction projects
with locals, who were hired through CIMIC. The GSDF modeled after
it, thinking that the employment of locals would lead to improved
security.

A senior GSDF official explained the advantages of CIMIC this way:
"Creating jobs, it helped improve the security situation in
Muthanna. It also reduced dangerous off-camp activities for GSDF
troops."

There seems to be every reason for the GSDF to establish CIMIC at
its Central Readiness Command based on its lessons learned in Iraq.

A unique military

CIMIC is a desperate measure allowing the SDF to engage in
activities in dangerous zones. Such a system may end up lowering the
hurdle for the SDF's overseas missions. Troops from 27 countries
have been conducting security duties in Iraq. Only Japan sent its
troops there for reconstruction assistance.

Given heavy constitutional restrictions, the SDF is not allowed to
conduct security duties involving the use of force. If Japan's
overseas missions continued to center on restoration operations, the
SDF would be regarded as a "unique" national military."

Fierce competition with activities by the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA),the office responsible for grant aid in
the Foreign Ministry's official development assistance, may push the
SDF toward more dangerous zones.


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SDF troops in Kuwait and Iraq conducted live-fire drills worth years
of training at home. Anticipating attacks, they also repeatedly
conducted drills based on secret guidelines on the use of weapons.
But a GSDF member took this view: "Drills are drills to the last. We
cannot learn real lessons until we encounter a dangerous scene."

It has been 14 years since the SDF began overseas activities. The
GSDF, which has miraculously not lost even a single life in Iraq, is
now set to increase the difficulty of its overseas activities.

(5) Editorial: US Navy Base at Guantanamo should be closed

ASAHI (Page 3) (Full)
July 2, 2006

US President Bush said, "The biggest mistake we made in Iraq was Abu
Ghraib (abuse at that prison)." He must add the mistake at
Guantanamo.

During the Afghan war in 2001, the US captured hundreds of Afghans
on suspicion of having taken part in terrorist activities and
transferred them to the US Navy at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The US Federal Supreme Court has handed down a heavy judgment
regarding the Guantanamo case. An inmate who was sent to a special
tribunal brought the case to the court. In the trial, the court
ruled that the tribunal itself is illegal.

The court characterized those held at Guantanamo as neither captives
nor criminals but hostile combatants. The US did not apply the
Geneva Convention or prosecute prisoners as criminals. It has
continued to detain them in such an abnormal way.

The US treatment of Afghan prisoners is under fire from the
international community, following the revelation of torture on
inmates at Guantanamo. Under such circumstances, the US at last
established a tribunal and prosecuted some inmates. One of the
defendants then filed a lawsuit.

The Federal Supreme Court has judged that under that tribunal, the
rights of the defendants have not been fully guaranteed, and,
therefore, it is illegal in light of the US domestic law on the
ordinary military court. It has also judged that it is against the
Geneva Convention as well.

The judgment was handed down on one defendant, but it can be said
that the existence of the prison, where even basic human rights are
not observed, has been condemned.

Those who are suspected of being involved in terrorist activities
should be relegated to the court system. Otherwise, they should be
treated as prisoners. In principle, these people should be detained
at appropriate facilities according to their legal status.

However, fights against terrorist groups, which have cross-border
international networks and repeat indiscriminate terrorist attacks,
have different aspects from conventional war. It is true that it is
difficult to identify whether they should be categorized as
prisoners or criminals.

It may be necessary to establish a new legal framework. In that
case, there should be an international arrangement for creating such
a framework, instead of each country establishing such at its own

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discretion. Until such a framework is created, the scope allowed
under international law should be applied.

Guantanamo is not the only problematical case. The Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) has established secret prisons in Eastern
European countries and detained suspected terrorists there.

Human rights protection organizations in Europe have revealed that
seven countries, including Britain and Sweden, detained suspects
without taking appropriate procedures and handed them over to the
US.

The spread of deviation from the rule of law will mar international
cooperation in fights against terrorism, making it even more
difficult for various countries to keep solidarity. In order to
prevent such a situation from occurring, too, the US should close
Guantanamo, which can be said to be a symbol of the deviation.

After that is done, the US should reunify solidarity with
conscientious people who are fighting terrorism in various Islamic
nations.

(6) Poll on Japan-US war, Japan-China war, Tokyo Trials, Japan's
postwar economy-oriented stance

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
July 3, 2006

Questions & Answers
(T = total; M = male; F = female; D = Dietmembers)

Q: What do you think about the opening of war with the US in 1941?

T M F D
Unavoidable 33 36 31 18
Reckless 59 61 58 57

Q: There's an opinion saying Japan's war with China after the
Manchurian Incident was a war of aggression. What do you think about
this opinion?

T M F D
Agree 40 53 31 68
Disagree 8 12 6 3

Q: Do you think the Japanese government has apologized and
self-reflected enough over World War II?

T M F D
Yes 36 42 32 51
No 42 39 44 33
No need to apology or self-reflect 11 14 9 2

Q: Japan accepted the International Military Tribunal for the Far
East or the so-called Tokyo Trials and restored its independence in

1951. What do you think about the trials?

T M F D
Unreasonable because the winners unilaterally tried the losers

10 13 8 8
Unreasonable but unavoidable because Japan was defeated in the war


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59 65 54 61
Justifiable because those to blame for the war were tried
17 16 18 13

Q: Do you appreciate Japan's postwar stance of arming itself lightly
and setting store on its economic growth?

T M F D
Yes 66 75 59 83
No 24 21 27 2

Q: What do you think Japan has lost in the postwar days?

T M F D
Social ideals 4 5 3 23
Equal society 5 6 5 5
Safe society 11 10 12 16
Local community ties 10 12 8 44
Family ties 8 8 9 36
Heart to make much of things 14 12 15 27
Feeling for others 21 25 17 44
Natural affluence 10 9 11 22
Traditional culture 5 5 5 19
Not on the list 6 6 6 13

Q: What do you think Japan should be most proud of in the postwar
days?

T M F D
Economic prosperity 9 11 7 45
Technology 30 33 29 49
Peaceful nation 22 25 19 59
Free society 8 7 9 21
Health, longevity 4 3 4 38
High education level 4 4 4 20
Women's social status 8 4 11 5
International contributions 2 2 2 10
Traditional culture 2 3 1 7
Not on the list 5 5 4 5

(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "No answer"
omitted. Dietmembers were asked to pick up to three to the question
about what Japan should be proud of.

Polling methodology: The survey was conducted June 17-18 over the
telephone with the aim of calling a total of 1,000 voters across the
nation on a computer-aided random digit sampling (RDS) basis.
Answers were obtained from 1,026 persons.

SCHIEFFER