DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 003814 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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches ARTICLES: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated NIHON KEIZAI (Top play) (Excerpts) Eve., July 7, 2006 Discussions of North Korea's ballistic missile launches are continuing at the United Nations. The Chinese government yesterday proposed a chairman's statement it drafted at the UN. This chairman's statement has less binding force than a resolution proposed by Japan, the United States, and other countries. The resolution is designed to impose sanctions against North Korea. On the other hand, China's move is apparently intended to check hard-liners against North Korea. Japan is strongly opposing China and aims to push for the resolution. Amid North Korea's harsh criticism of Japan's sanction measures, diplomats of major countries who are concerned about another launching of a missile by North Korea are contacting each other and discussing the issue. The US and Russia are arranging a summit meeting. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Kenichiro Sasae will arrive in Beijing this afternoon. Japan opposes China's proposal Hiroyuki Nakamae, New York During a meeting of the permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) members plus six countries, including Japan, China proposed a chairman's statement, eliminating most of de facto sanction measures covered by the Japan-initiated resolution condemning North Korea, for instance, a halt to providing funds and technologies leading to missile development. Unlike the resolution, the chairman's statement has no binding force, so it does not obligate the member nations to abide by what it states. Japan and the US proceed to get the resolution adopted as quickly as possible at the UNSC. Whether coordination will be made between the two proposals remains to be seen. The resolution proposed by Japan, the US and other countries is created in accordance with the UN Charter's Article 7, a provision that enables the member nations to impose economic sanctions in order to secure the effectiveness of the contents of the resolution. In addition, the resolution is in effect designed to impose sanctions on North Korea by calling on the member nations to stop providing funds and technologies to the North. The details of the chairman's statement proposed by China have yet to be made clear. (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK TOKYO 00003814 002 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Full) July 7, 2006 Hiroyuki Nakamae, New York Horse-trading over whether to boost pressure on North Korea is intensifying at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The United States, teaming up with Japan and some countries, aim to get a resolution condemning North Korea adopted at the UNSC. Meanwhile, China and Russia, both friendly to North Korea and permanent UNSC members with a veto right, are taking a cautious stand toward adopting such a resolution. Building a consensus to support the resolution seems likely to hit a snag. What will happen next in the UNSC? We l provide three conceivable scenarios below. Scenario 1: UNSC adopts resolution A resolution, if adopted, obligates the member nations to fulfill their duties specified in the UN Charter. An adopted resolution is viewed as the strongest expression of the UN's intent. The resolution drafted primarily by Japan and the US calls for North Korean to immediate halt its missile development and test-launches. The resolution also urges UN members to take the de facto retaliatory actions. If the resolution is adopted, the international community, following the UN's seal of approval, will effectively encircle North Korea, an act seen as putting strong pressure on that country. China and Russia, however, seek only to issue a chairman's statement, which has less binding force than a resolution. Many member states are of the opinion that a resolution is less likely to be adopted. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told reporters yesterday morning (late at night that same day, Japan time),prior to an ambassador level UNSC meeting, that the draft resolution is rallying "strong support from a broad range of nations." "Nations that don't favor the resolution have the right to abstain (from voting)," Bolton added, indicating his enthusiasm about getting the resolution adopted. "China and Russia cannot approve North Korea's continuing to launch missiles," Prime Minister Junichio Koizumi told reporters yesterday, underscoring his intention to earnestly work on China and Russia to dissuade them from opposing the resolution. Scenario 2: Chairman's statement condemning North Korea A chairman's statement is a means to express the consensus of the UNSC members, but it does not have binding force, though it has a warning effect. TOKYO 00003814 003 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches In order to adopt a chairman's statement, the UNSC in principle needs to obtain a unanimous agreement, so if China or Russia, which are both negative about retaliatory action, raise a clear objection, the statement cannot be adopted. In order to make it easy for China and Russia to approve the release of the chairman's statement, "The statement should be considerably toned down," a diplomatic source at the UN said. Even if a chairman's statement is adopted, there is the possibility that the situation will not be resolved soon. Instead, it may be prolonged like the case of Iran's nuclear program. Discussion at the UNSC would be stalled. Immediately after the missile launches, Japan announced its own sanction measures. Japan, the US, and Europe may join hands in the end to form a "coalition of the willing" and impose sanctions on North Korea. In this case, retaliatory measures may not be effective enough because Japan cannot obtain cooperation from its neighbors, China and South Korea. Scenario 3: Only a press statement released A press statement has a certain effect, but it is the weakest form for the UNSC to express its intent. The release of a press statement implies that there is discord in the UNSC and reveals the existence of discord outside the UNSC, as well. When North Korea test-fired a Taepodong-1 ballistic missile in 1998, China disapproved of the adoption of a resolution or a chairman's statement. So, only a press statement expressing concerns was released. This came, in part because the Clinton administration at the time wanted to avoid actions that might irritate North Korea, because it was emphasizing the resolution of the nuclear issue. In the current situation, China and Russia are unlikely to concede (to the call of some countries to issue a resolution),because both countries are expected to accept the release of a chairman's statement. (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu SHUKAN SHINCHO (Pages 17-18) (Full) July 13, 2006 Tomiyachi is a tiny village facing the Japan Sea in the city of Tsugaru in Aomori Prefecture. Spread across its flat plain, as far SIPDIS as the eye can see are barns, fields and paddies. It looks like the kind of sleepy farm village that artists draw, yet if you look off TOKYO 00003814 004 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches to the side of the farm road in this village, a surprise is in store for you. What suddenly jumps up before you is a sign in English with the word "Warning" on it. If you fearfully approach the place, you can see brawny foreigners carrying pistols and rifles and swinging around with angry looks on their faces. If we first back up and explain the situation, the location used to be a small detachment of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF). There used to be approximately 300 ASDF personnel stationed there to operate Patriot missiles, but since June 23, a portion of this facility was borrowed by the US military to set up X-Band radar, the state-of-the-art anti-missile radar, which has only been installed so far in two bases in the world. Although such an installation is probably unavoidable given the present situation of North Korea being ready to fire missiles at any moment, the sign on the fence clearly identifies the area as a "U.S. Army Installation." Although the area was borrowed briefly from the ASDF, no matter how you look at it, it seems to be a US military base. Moreover, the road along the base is a city highway, connected to the seashore and used daily. The local residents pass along this road so that they can go enjoy fishing. Still, according to a resident who lives close by, "Recently, when I passed along that road, I was glared at by the soldiers there who sounded off in English. It seemed like they were telling me to stop." A tranquil village in one night was transformed into a US base town. From the 26th, an area was designated a flight-restricted zone, and what's more, this kind of explanation came from a source connected to the Defense Agency: "Officially, the only military personnel are radar technicians, but the guards are civilian contractors. These civilians are the ones who are armed with guns." However, according to the warning sign, it is prohibited to take photos even from the road or to have such in one's possession. If that so, since Shukan Shincho has taken photos (featured in this article),as you can see, what will happen to us? (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches MAINICHI (Page 10) (Full) July 6, 2006 By Akihiko Tanaka, professor of international political science at Tokyo University North Korea's missile launches might be likened to a mischievous act TOKYO 00003814 005 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches by a fretful, ignored child wanting to draw attention to himself. Otherwise, I cannot fathom any intentions from that country. There may be some internal trouble. Test-firing missiles without prior notice clearly violates international rules, as well as the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration. Such an act also goes against the six-party talks that are aimed at resolving the issue of North Korea's nuclear program. The premise for the six-party talks is a moratorium on ballistic missile tests. It is only natural and appropriate for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to criticize North Korea. But it would be difficult (for the UNSC) to take action other than criticizing that country unless the Chinese government approves a resolution condemning North Korea. China, the host of the six-party talks, must have been displeased by the missile launches. All the more because China had until recently told the United States and Japan not to take a tough stance against North Korea, it may probably feel it has now lost face. The same holds true of South Korea. Both China and South Korea will find it difficult to assume a conciliatory attitude toward North Korea for a while. The US is likely to further toughen the hard-line stance it has taken since last September. Japan, too, which has just decided to impose sanctions on the North, will take a firmer attitude. The international situation in this sense will be charged with uncertainties, but we need to be calm in thinking about this situation, because this sort of tension has continued since 2002. The only course for North Korea is to announce that it will abolish all nuclear weapons and return to the six-party talks unconditionally. My concern is whether North Korea can make such a rational decision. In criticizing North Korea, the UN must make Kim Jong Il fully realize that the act he has taken now is nonproductive and accomplishes nothing. Japan and the US will not change their stands. So, the key to this situation lies in China's next move. DPRK expects a policy switch of Bush administration By Masao Okonogi, professor of international political science at Keio University North Korea's desire is to hold bilateral talks with the US for normalization of diplomatic relations, including the resolution of the nuclear issue. This desire remains the same. The North's message contained in its missile launches is that there is no other choice but for it to advance nuclear and missile development programs if (the US) does not respond to bilateral talks. This is the same as the North's past message. TOKYO 00003814 006 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches But the timing of the launches and the way the missiles were launched were different from past patterns taken by the North. In order to maximize the impact of missile launching, North Korea should have had in mind the off-year elections in the US or the US presidential election. But this time it did not. It launched seven missiles, including Scud and Rodong missiles. The launches appeared to be a kind of a military exercise. In other words, the North, since the US refuses to negotiate with it, feels it has been driven into a corner and must resort to a violent measure. One can also see the missile launches as the result of some kind of key decision made internally over such questions as who will succeed North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, and North Korea demonstrating to the world the unity of the nation. I don't think there is internal discord in North Korea. The missile launches are untenable for China and South Korea, but how far they will fall into line if Japan and the US come up with a tough resolution at the UNSC remains to be seen. Should North Korea's political system collapse, China would be greatly affected, so it would remain reluctant to drive North Korea in the corner. The same holds true of South Korea. The launches are not the climax but only Act 1 in North Korea's brinkmanship. My understanding is that North Korea has begun playing a long game. I would not be surprised if a similar incident happens again this fall. I wonder if North Korea expects the US to modify its North Korea policy as a result of a growing criticism in the US Congress and other circles that the Bush administration has failed in its North Korea policy. If this does not happen, the North may wait for the next presidential election. If such is the case, it would be difficult to resume the six-party talks for the time being. More calls for ABE as successor to Koizumi likely By Takashi Mikuriya, professor of Japanese political history at Tokyo University Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is really lucky. Amid such uncertainties as the Diet situation and the abduction issue, North Korea has again emerged as the enemy. So, his administration will now gain steam instead of losing it. He might be regaining his political vigor in thinking about how best to use this opportunity. This situation will affect the so-called Yasukuni issue. The prime minister may delay a visit to Yasukuni Shrine to sometime after the anniversary of the end of the war on Aug. 15 in an effort not to further strain relations with China out of national-security considerations. Conversely, he may pay homage at the shrine on Aug. TOKYO 00003814 007 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches 15, toughening his stand against China for its inability to contain North Korea. When it comes to the impact on the LDP presidential race to determine who will succeed Prime Minister Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE is placed at an advantage. The number of SIPDIS supporters is likely to increase, faced with the questions of how Japan should deal with a rogue state and strengthen the Japan-US alliance. The key to this is whether Koizumi will give ABE a free hand to deal with the issue of missile launches. Koizumi may leave the issue entirely in Mr. Abe's hands, even though that would mean discarding the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration. Mr. ABE then could handily beat other contenders if he demonstrated his capabilities in the coming two months. Based on his remarks about the missile issue, Foreign Minister Taro Aso appears to be tougher than Abe. But Aso has made strong remarks only because he is running behind ABE in the LDP presidential campaign. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda's moves draw the public's attention, but given his current status, he cannot say anything nor can he produce actual results. Should this situation gave a boost to ABE and an ABE administration is born, calls for a switch to a younger generation of politicians would increase even further. Ichiro Ozawa, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto),who is the same age as Koizumi, would be put in a difficult situation. (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 26) (Abridged slightly) July 7, 2006 Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE held four press conferences on July 5 in the wake of the missile launches by North Korea. The missile launches provided Abe, a leading hawk on North Korea, with a golden opportunity to boost his presence as a promising post-Koizumi contender. In dealing with the launches, the government also played up close defense cooperation with the US military. The missile launches apparently worked favorably for ABE and the government. On July 5, ABE arrived at Kantei (Prime Minister's Official Residence) at 4:30 a.m., ahead of other ministers, and held an emergency press conference shortly after 6 a.m. to announce the North's missile launches. ABE held three more press conferences that day. He even released a statement condemning the North, an unusual case. TOKYO 00003814 008 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches Political analyst Minoru Morita described Abe's action this way: "The North didn't fire the missiles into Japanese waters, but ABE handled the case as if Pyongyang was waging a war. He went too far. He obviously thinks this is a good chance to pave the way for an ABE cabinet, figuring that the more he pounds on the North in the press meetings, the more he will win public support. ABE released a formal statement instead of a comment, which was more appropriate. This also tells us that he is using the missile launches on behalf of the LDP presidential race." Kichiya Kobayashi, also a political analyst, took this view: "The LDP is split on Japan's response to the missile launches. It is true that some LDP members share Abe's view that Japan should take harsh measures against the North. But the launches do not necessarily give an advantage to Abe. The North violated the Pyongyang Declaration, which had been signed by the top Japanese and North Korean leaders in the presence of Abe, who was deputy chief cabinet secretary at the time. So ABE is not totally blameless. Abe's extreme reaction exposed the fact that his camp consists mainly of junior members who have no strategist in their midst." The missile launches, however, seems to have set the stage for ABE to highlight his stock argument and implement his hard-edged policy toward North Korea. His popularity is likely to grow. The missile launches have also given momentum to Japan's national defense. The government played up the close intelligence sharing between Japan and the United States. Moves to pursue greater cooperation and arms buildup may follow. Japan and the United States this summer will conclude an intelligence sharing agreement on a missile defense (MD) system to intercept ballistic missiles. This will allow the Air Self-Defense Force to deploy ground-based PAC-3 missiles next March. The launches also sparked calls for Japan to enhance capabilities to gather intelligence independently without relying on the US military. US early warning satellites first detected the launches. The intelligence was then conveyed to the Self-Defense Forces via US Forces Japan and other channels. Japanese information-gathering satellites are devoid of such functions. The LDP is considering presenting a bill allowing Japan to use space for military purposes for self-defense by shifting the space development policy, which has been limited for nonmilitary purposes. Test operation of an early-warning system called X-band radar, a key component in the MD system, has started ahead of original schedule. TOKYO 00003814 009 OF 009 SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/07/06 Part-1 INDEX: (1) China proposes a chairman's statement at UNSC, aims to check hard-liners; Sanction measures eliminated (2) War of nerves unfolding at UNSC over whether to adopt resolution condemning DPRK (3) US military's secret base in northern Honshu (4) Comments by experts on North Korea's missile launches: Tokyo University Prof. Tanaka -- China, too, displeased with missile launches (5) Abe, Japan-US military alliance benefiting from North Korean missile launches The US military's interception of a US-bound Taepodong-2 based on Japan's intelligence and Japan doing the same might constitute an exercise of the right of collective-self defense under the Japanese Constitution. If matters continue as they have until now, the integration of the SDF and US Forces Japan will continue. Cautiousness urged One military expert said: "The US military has little experience in intercepting missiles. It is not clear whether the North intentionally fired those missiles (apart from its regular military training) and whether they failed. We must not rush to judgment before those points become clear." Masaaki Gabe, a professor of international politics at the University of the Ryukyus, also commented: "Are the North Korean missiles really a threat? They might be just playing with them. I don't think it's appropriate to pursue military buildup by exaggerating the North Korean threat. We have to know the North's true intentions first. It is meaningless to hastily respond to the launches. SCHIEFFER