JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/07/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 003789 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 07/07/06 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) North Korea's Taepodong-2 missile that failed was aimed at waters off Hawaii 5) US confirms that North Korea readying another Taepodong missile launch 6) Government on alert as North Korea prepares another missile launch 7) President Bush, Prime Minister Koizumi to seek at G8 summit statement of concern about North Korean missiles 8) China, Russia balking at UNSC imposing sanctions on North Korea for missile caper 9) LDP's Yamasaki in Jakarta asks Indonesia's president to pass along Koizumi message to North Korea on missiles, 6-party talks 10) Exports to North Korea that have military-use possibility to require licensing under revised law 11) Hawks in LDP plan to use additional measures against North Korea as a "pressure card" 12) Prime Minister Koizumi: Good thing the Taepodong launch did not happen when I visited Presley home 13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: Pyongyang planned missile launch as tactic to force US into a dialogue 14) Minshuto's Hatoyama: China, Russia's reluctance to sanction North Korea on missile launch reveals weakness of Koizumi diplomacy 15) JCP's Shii denounces North Korea for using missile threat 16) JDA chief Nukaga confirms speeding up of missile defense deployment 17) ABE calls for strategic dialogues with US, Australia, India 18) Minshuto President Ozawa in Beijing meets possible successor to President Hu 19) LDP's Koga wants Yasukuni Shrine turned into secular war memorial 20) Economic forecast revised upward to 2 PERCENT real growth Contents: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Missile launches by North Korea: China, Russia cautious about slapping sanctions TOKYO 00003789 002 OF 010 Mainichi: Taepodong-2 missile damaged soon after launching; Debris fall into nearby area; Japan, US confirm failure Yomiuri: St. Petersburg Summit chairman's summary statement to mention concern over North Korea's missiles in response to proposal by Japan and US; Leaders from major nations to call for missile-launch moratorium Nihon Keizai: Government alert to another launch of Taepodong-2 missile; "The launching of such a missile is fully possible," says deputy JDA director general Sankei: Taeopodong-2 missile aimed at waters near Hawaii; US hardens its stance; Likely to apply pressure for sanctions resolution Tokyo Shimbun: Government to call on G-8 Summit to issue statement condemning North Korea over its missile launches with eye on pressuring that country 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1)UN resolution on North Korea's missile launches: Solidarity and speed are essential (2)The Korean Residents Union in Japan, the pro-Seoul Korean residents group in Japan and the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon); Historic reconciliation turned out to be fragile Mainichi: (1)UN resolution on North Korea's missile launches: China and Russia should be aware of their heavy responsibility (2)Press conference by Kim Young Nam: Do not be misled by North Korea's intelligence tactics Yomiuri: (1)North Korea's missile launches: Adopting resolution at UNSC is not the goal (2)Bank of Japan's internal regulations: Setting up strict rules is a step toward regaining trust Nihon Keizai: (1)China and Russia should act carefully in order not to incur misunderstanding by North Korea (2)WTO talks: Share the sense of emergency Sankei: (1)North Korea's missile launches: UNSC resolution with force behind it is urged (2)South Korean vessels carrying out investigation in the confusion at the moment Tokyo Shimbun: (1)Ozawa's visit to China: Even though he was able to show areas of contention (2)Arresting wrong person: There is no excuse TOKYO 00003789 003 OF 010 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, July 6 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) July 7, 2006 09:25 Talked on the phone with US President Bush at Kantei, with Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Kono, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Sasae, North American Affairs Bureau Director General Kawai present. 10:15 Met METI Industry, Technology and Environment Bureau Director General Koezuka and Environment Ministry's Global Environment Bureau Director General Kobayashi. 11:03 Met WTO Secretary General Lamy with Ambassador of Japan to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva Fujisaki. 12:00 Met at party headquarters with members of the "Association of Independent Fresh Lawmakers," Secretary General Takebe, Policy Research Council Chairman Nakagawa, and Executive Council Chairman Kyuma. 13:18 Arrived at Kantei. 14:00 Met Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Arima, Deputy Foreign Minister Nishida, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director General Yoshikawa and others. 15:00 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani, JDA Defense Bureau Director General Ofuru, and Defense Intelligence Headquarters chief Mukunoki. Followed by Economic, Fiscal and Financial Policy Minister Yosano. 16:03 Met with Foreign Ministry's deputy foreign ministers Nishida and Yabunaka, Economic Affairs Bureau Director General Ishikawa, Economic and Industry Deputy Director General Hinoshita, and others. 17:00 Attended a Fiscal and Economic Reform Council meeting. Later met with Foreign Vice Minister Yachi. 18:43 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Futahashi. 19:00 Met at his official residence with Secretary General Takebe, Upper House LDP caucus head Aoki. 4) Taepodong missile targeted to reach Hawaii offshore area SANKEI (Top play) (Full) July 7, 2006 A long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the morning of July 5 was targeted to hit waters offshore from Hawaii, Japanese and US government sources revealed yesterday. North Korea possibly aimed to force the United States to lift its financial sanctions imposed on it. Meanwhile, the United States has further hardened its attitude because American territory was targeted. The US government is expected to intensify international pressure on North Korea in order for the United Nations Security TOKYO 00003789 004 OF 010 Council to resolve to impose sanctions on North Korea. The Taepodong-2 missile was fired at 4:59 a.m. on July 5 from Musudan-ri in North Korea's northeastern district. The missile stalled after 40 seconds and landed in the Sea of Japan several hundred kilometers away. According to Japanese and US government sources, the Defense Agency and US Forces Japan (USFJ) analyzed the Taepodong-2's path based on data collected by Aegis-equipped ships and an airborne RC-135S electronic intelligence platform tasked with tracking ballistic missiles. They concluded that the Taepodong-2 missile had been targeted at a Hawaii offshore area, judging from its warhead's angle, altitude, and other factors found from their analysis of data. Hawaii is situated about 7,000 kilometers away from North Korea. The Taepodong-2 had been believed to have a range of 3,500-6,000 kilometers. However, its actual range might be considerably longer than that. There is no knowing why North Korea had targeted the Taepodong-2 missile at waters near Hawaii. However, one of the government's informed sources cites some possible reasons: 1) North Korea wanted to demonstrate that the United States is within range; 2) Hawaii is where the US Navy's Pacific Fleet headquarters is located; and 3) the Taepodong-2 missile's targeting accuracy is low, so the missile could have landed on land if it had been launched in the direction of Alaska. 5) 2nd Taepodong-2 missile confirmed SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) July 7, 2006 WASHINGTON- Traffic and other activities are still going on at a missile test facility in North Korea's northeastern district for long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missiles, following its recent launch of the first Taepodong-2 missile, Japanese and US intelligence officials confirmed yesterday. North Korea is presumed to be readying to test-fire another Taepodong-2 missile because the first one failed. In the meantime, North Korea is also believed to be making a demonstration with an eye on future negotiations at the United Nations or elsewhere. 6) Gov't on alert expecting another Taepodong missile launch NIHON KEIZAI (Top play) (Abridged) July 7, 2006 The government is now on the alert against North Korea's possible launch of another long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile, officials said yesterday. The government deems that North Korea might be making preparations to fire a second long-range ballistic missile that is believed to be a Taepodong-2 missile. The government will tighten security at atomic power plants and other vital facilities at home, as well as the nation's densely populated areas, in cooperation with local governments. Japan is applying diplomatic pressure on North Korea with the United Nations Security Council adopting a resolution denouncing North Korea, in an aim to stop North Korea from firing a second ballistic missile. In the meantime, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and US Forces Japan (USFJ) have been intensifying their warning and surveillance activities. TOKYO 00003789 005 OF 010 North Korea has released its foreign ministry's statement claiming it will continue its missile testing. "Including the missile launches this time, it is well conceivable that they will take action," Defense Agency Administrative Deputy Director General Takemasa Moriya told a press conference yesterday. With this, the vice defense minister implied that North Korea could fire a second Taepodong-2 missile. SDF Joint Staff Chief Hajime Massaki has also ruled out the possibility of another Taepodong-2 missile launch. "There's no information to deny it," the top brass officer said. Meanwhile, North Korea might be assembling another Taepodong-2 missile. Touching on this possibility, he declared that the SDF would remain on the alert. 7) Japan, US to jointly propose at G8 summit that chair's statement express concerns about North Korea's missile launches, call for freeze YOMIURI (Top play) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 The Group of Eight (G8) industrialized countries summit conference that will start at St. Petersburg in Russia on July 15 is likely to express in the G8 chairman's summary statement grave concerns about North Korea's missile launches and urge that country to exercise self-restraint. This was confirmed yesterday by some G8 members. Prime Minister Koizumi and US President Bush will propose the language at the G8 summit conference for endorsed by other leaders. A statement on nuclear nonproliferation that the summit conference will adopt will also urge North Korea to freeze missile-launching indefinitely and to urge nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles. On July 5, Prime Minister Koizumi called Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka to the Prime Minister's Official Residence and instructed him to coordinate views with other countries so that North Korea's missile launches will be put on agenda for the G8 summit and the chairman's summary statement will clearly mention the missile issue. 8) Missile launches by North Korea: China, Russia cautious about slapping sanctions ASAHI (Top Play) (Lead para.) July 7, 2006 A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman yesterday officially admitted that the barrage of missile launches was part of its military training and indicated the nation's intention to continue missile-launching exercises. Chinese and Russian leaders, who had showed understanding toward the position of North Korea, made statements seeking self-restraint from Pyongyang. They also took a cautious position about the idea of imposing sanctions on the North, underscoring the difference in their stance from that of Japan and the US, which are calling for sanctions. Gaps in views on the issue are now seen among the major countries. 9) Koizumi sends message to North Korea via Indonesia, calling for it to halt missile launches, return to six-party talks NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) TOKYO 00003789 006 OF 010 July 7, 2006 Taku Yamasaki, a former vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, met in Jakarta on July 6 with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is scheduled to visit North Korea on July 18. In the talks, Yamasaki entrusted Yudhoyono with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's message urging North Korea to halt missile launches and return swiftly to the six-party talks. In response, Yudhoyono expressed his eagerness to contribute to Asia's stability. The Koizumi message stated: (1) Launching missiles was a serious violation of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, and North Korea must exercise self-control; and (2) North Korea must swiftly return to the six-party talks to discuss the nuclear and missile issues. 10) Government to revise Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law to make all military-adaptable North Korea-bound products subject to trade minister's authorization YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) July 7, 2006 The government decided yesterday to tighten regulations on all North Korea-bound exports that might be used in the production of weapons of mass destruction. At present, the economy, trade and industry minister's approval (kyoka) is required for exporting such products as computers and telecommunications peripheral devices in excess of 50,000 yen, which can be used for military applications, to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Libya. The government will make products worth less than 50,000 yen also subject to the minister's authorization by revising the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law this fall. Behind the decision lies the situation where an increasing number of products priced below 50,000 yen are now military-adaptable. Code-processing chips used to cost over 50,000 yen, but today they are being traded for less than 5,000 yen. Last year, there were 12,000 applications for exporting designated products last year, but none was for North Korea. 11) LDP's hard-liners intend to speed up preparations for "retaliatory cards" against North Korea TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 By Yuji Shinogase The Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) simulation team on economic sanctions against North Korea, chaired by Ichita Yamamoto, a member of the House of Councilors, gathered together yesterday. In order to respond to North Korea's missile launches, the group decided to submit an emergency measures bill intended to impose financial sanctions on North Korea, such as a full suspension of financial transactions and a strict application of money laundering regulations, to the upcoming extraordinary Diet session in the fall instead of the regular Diet session of next year in order to swiftly enact the bill. Chairman Yamamoto stressed the need for Japan to prepare a new set of "retaliatory cards" against North Korea as quickly as possible, telling this reporter: "The special measures law banning certain vessels from entering Japanese ports -- legislation initiated by TOKYO 00003789 007 OF 010 lawmakers -- was enacted in 2004. This law has now enabled Japan to take economic sanction measures against North Korea in response to its missile launches. The government is responsible for determining the details of retaliatory actions, but we in the ruling camp need to prepare for a 'tool' for retaliation." The LDP, backed by the simulation team, has prepared such laws aimed at putting pressure on North Korea as the amendment to the Foreign Exchange Control Law, the Special Measures Law Banning Specified Vessels from Entering Japanese Ports, and the North Korea Human Rights Law. Diet members initiated all these laws. In dealing with the missile launches, the government has already decided to apply the special measures law banning certain vessels from entering Japanese ports to North Korea's vessel Man Gyong Bong-92 and is considering applying the amendment to the foreign exchange control law. In the belief that North Korea will not move unless it is pushed, the simulation team aims to enact the financial sanction bill. Some LDP lawmakers take the view that the indirect reason for the realization of the second Japan-North Korea summit meeting in May 2004 was that the amendment to the foreign exchange control law came into effect in February of that year. Given this, hard-liners in the party think that the situation will not make progress unless Japan takes a tough stand. 12) Prime Minister Koizumi: I'm glad that North Korea did not fire missiles when I was visiting Presley's mansion ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) July 7, 2006 "I'm glad that a Taepodong missile was not fired when I was touring Presley's mansion," said Koizumi during dinner last night with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe and other officials. One participant said, "Your are lucky." More than one participant revealed this comment. Koizumi on June 30 visited Presley's Graceland mansion along with President George W. Bush and his wife. He was thrilled by his tour of Graceland, singing Elvis' song and imitating Elvis. 13) Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe: North Korea planned missile launches to force dialogue with US; Armitage: Launches were North Korean leader Kim's policy ASAHI (Page 2) (Full) July 7, 2006 Referring in a speech yesterday in Tokyo on the aim of North Korea in test firing its missiles, Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE said, "The common-sense view is that Pyongyang is seeking a dialogue with Washington." Touching on the fact that most missiles fell into a certain area, ABE stated: "The missile launches were not arbitrarily conducted in an uncontrolled manner. They were well planned." He indicated that the test-fires were carried out under the control of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Abe also said that the sharing of intelligence between Japan and the United States has improved compared to 1998, when the North launched a Taepodong missile. He stressed: "We did not give North Korea any opening to take advantage of. We have reaffirmed how crucial the alliance is." TOKYO 00003789 008 OF 010 Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who delivered a speech before Abe, stated: "Kim Jong Il calculated that Japan and the US would not be able to add further sanctions, and that China and Russia would not impose sanctions. This was his method." He then added: "North Korea will probably launch more missiles. It is not true that North Korea's military has control; the missile launches were Kim Jong Il's policy." He denied the view that Kim Jong Il has lost control of the military. 14) Hatoyama: Reluctance of China, Russia to adopt UN resolution exposes vulnerability of Koizumi diplomacy TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) July 7, 2006 In a press conference yesterday, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama denounced Prime Minister Koizumi's diplomatic stance in reference to the opposition of China and Russia to adopting a resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for sanctions against North Korea for missile launches. Hatoyama said: "The vulnerability of Japan's pragmatic foreign policy has been exposed. Japan's relations with Russia and China have encountered difficulties since the Koizumi administration was launched. Such circumstances are behind those countries' refusal to take joint steps with Japan." Citing that Minshuto head Ichiro Ozawa has exchanged views on North Korea's missile problem with high-ranking Chinese government officials in China, Hatoyama commented: "It is impossible to promptly rectify the weakness of Koizumi diplomacy. Japan and China are not necessarily taking the same stance." 15) JCP chairman blasts North Korea: Using the threat of armed force is an unforgivable act TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 In the second plenary meeting of the Japanese Communist Party's (JCP) Central Committee yesterday, JCP Chairman Kazuo Shii lashed out at North Korea for firing missiles, saying: "That nation is trying to force its demands by using the threat of armed force. Such a brinkmanship approach is an unforgivable act that threatens the peace and stability of Northeast Asia." Shii urged North Korea to "abide by the international rules and the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration." 16) Government to introduce MD system earlier than originally planned; Nukaga reveals plan to deploy PAC-3 missiles before year's end NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 In the wake of the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, the government will introduce a missile defense (MD) system to detect and intercept incoming ballistic missiles ahead of the original timetable. In cooperation with the US military, the government will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) ground-to-air missiles TOKYO 00003789 009 OF 010 before year's end and increase the capability to detect missiles' trajectories by using electronic surveillance aircraft and radars. Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga, in yesterday's Lower House Security Committee meeting, announced a plan to begin deploying PAC-3 missiles before year's end instead of the originally planned fiscal 2007, to put them into operation gradually. Envisaging more missile launches by the North, Nukaga said: "In collaboration with the United States, we want to build a missile intercept system and surveillance radar networks as early as possible." The PAC-3-centered MD system is designed to detect and intercept enemy ballistic missiles before the terminal phase. More specifically, it is designed to intercept missiles flying outside the atmosphere with sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors and missed targets with ground-based PAC-3 missiles. The US military plans to deploy PAC-3 missiles first at its Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Coinciding with the US plan, the Air Self-Defense Force intends to gradually deploy PAC-3 missiles at its Iruma base in Saitama, Hamamatsu base in Shizuoka, and other bases. 17) Chief Cabinet Secretary ABE proposes strategic dialogue among US, Australia, India, Japan at Yomiuri Shimbun symposium YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpt) July 7, 2006 In a speech yesterday at a special session of the Yomiuri International Economic Symposium (YIES) held at the Tokyo Kaikan Hall at Marunouchi, Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary ABE spoke of Japan's Asia diplomacy and proposed a four-party dialogue concept involving Japan, the United States, Australia, and India, saying: "India is a country that shares such values as freedom, democracy, and human rights. I think it is a good idea to create a forum for Japan, the US, Australia, and India to hold strategic consultations." ABE made this proposal, apparently having in mind a growing call to emphasize diplomacy toward Asia ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in September. 18) Minshuto head Ozawa meets with likely successor to President Hu in China TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 Shohei Yoshida, Shenyang Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa, currently in China, visited Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province, on the afternoon of July 6 where he met with Chinese Communist Party Liaoning Province Committee General Secretary Li Keqiang at the State Guest House. Li is viewed as a likely candidate to succeed President Hu Jintao. Li was born in 1955 and comes from the Chinese Communist Youth Organization, like Hu. When he visited Japan in 1992 as a member of the youth organization, he stayed Ozawa's home in Iwate Prefecture. In the meeting with Ozawa, Li expressed eagerness to develop trade TOKYO 00003789 010 OF 010 between Japan and Liaoning Province, which has a flourishing heavy industry. Ozawa replied: "I am happy to see my old friend attain greatness (as a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party). 19) LDP's Koga wants Yasukuni Shrine to be secular facility ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) July 7, 2006 Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Makoto Koga, chairman of the Japan Association of the Bereaved Families of the War Dead, stated yesterday in a meeting of the Niwa-Koga faction in the LDP: "I want to move ahead with debate on Yasukuni Shrine, including the possibility of building a facility unconnected with any religious faith, and whether the state will sponsor such a secular facility." Koga has proposed a study of disenshrinement of Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni Shrine. He also suggested in his remarks that Yasukuni Shrine be a secular facility under state control. Koga said: "Debate on Yasukuni Shrine have been conducted at a faster pace than I expected. I am not budging on my view that Yasukuni should be the only war memorial in Japan." He sought to check the views in the LDP that a national war memorial should be built and that the Chidorigafuchi war memorial should be expanded. 20) Outlook for real economic growth rate for this fiscal year to be upgraded to 2.1 PERCENT ; Government certain of economy's emergence from deflationary period NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 7, 2006 The Cabinet Office yesterday decided to revise upward the outlook for the economic growth rate for fiscal 2006 to 2.1 PERCENT in real terms, which excludes the impact of fluctuations in prices, and to 2.2 PERCENT in nominal terms, up 0.2 points respectively from the government outlook adopted by the cabinet in January. The Cabinet Office will present the revised figures to the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, which is to meet today. From now on, these figures will become the government's official outlook for economic growth. The revised growth rate in nominal terms will top the revised real growth rate for the first time in nine years, as it did in the original outlook. Having stood firm on the initial outlook for six months ago, the government will come up with a view that the Japanese economy will definitely emerge from the deflationary spiral before the end of the year. The Cabinet Office's presumption that the economy will emerge from the deflationary period will set another condition for the Bank of Japan to lift its zero interest rate policy. SCHIEFFER