DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 08/17/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 004720 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 08/17/06 INDEX: (1) TOP HEADLINES (2) EDITORIALS (3) New Komeito to keep delicate distance from ABE government (4) Round-table discussion on prime minister's Yasukuni visit on day marking end of WWI, ways to resolve Yasukuni issue: Evaluation of Aug. 15 shrine visit (5) Ruling coalition to field Okinawa Electric Power chairman in Okinawa gubernatorial race; Minshuto finds it difficult pick candidate (6) In Japan-US strategic security talks, requests presented by US keep coming ARTICLES: (1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Illegal, unfair employment of foreigners increasing across Japan, with 125 cases reported as of end of July Mainichi: In poll, 50% back Koizumi's Aug. 15 Yasukuni visit, while 46% critical Yomiuri: Government demands Russia's apology and release of detained fishermen Nihon Keizai: 29 financial institutions to jointly set up Internet-based settlement system Sankei: Three more planets in solar system likely to be added to make 12 in new definition Tokyo Shimbun: Poll: 51% welcomed prime minister's Yasukuni visit, while 44% against it Akahata: Nurses' labor union in Akita applies for setting minimum wages (2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Arson of lawmaker Kato's house: Political terrorism unforgivable (2) Shooting at fishing boat: Return to having safe seas Mainichi: (1) Shooting at Japanese fishing boat: Wasn't this excessive border control? (2) Dignity of state shaken with growing gap between the winners and the losers (by editorial committee member Noriaki Kondo) TOKYO 00004720 002 OF 007 Yomiuri: (1) Labor and Economy White Paper: Youths' work patterns exhibit a worrying trend (2) Blackout in metropolitan area: We need preparedness for electric power failure Nihon Keizai: Revitalization of regional economy: Hokkaido's challenge to depart from depending on public demand Sankei: (1) Burning down of Kato's home: Terrorism against freedom of speech is unacceptable (2) Russian patrol ship fired on Japanese fishing boat: Barbarous act that is reminiscent of Soviet Union Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Arsonist torches Kato's house: An unacceptable act to silence someone who speaks out (2) Lebanon ceasefire: Effort for ceasefire must be continued Akahata: Pool accident: Effort needed to secure safety to bring smiles to children (3) New Komeito to keep delicate distance from ABE government SANKEI (Page 4) (Full) August 17, 2006 Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE is far ahead of the other candidates in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election. Under such circumstances, the New Komeito, the junior partner in the ruling coalition led by the LDP, is worrying about how to keep a distance from Abe. It is widely said that the ruling coalition will face an uphill battle in next summer's House of Councillors election. The New Komeito then might slip from power. Therefore, close cooperation between the LDP and New Komeito is indispensable. However, there is a gulf in foreign policy between ABE and the New Komeito. Depending on what kind of foreign policy ABE would adopt, the New Komeito may be forced to make a difficult decision. Tough election An annual study session of senior members of the New Komeito and its backer Soka Gakkai, the religious sect, was held in the period of late July through early August in Nagano Prefecture. Prior to the opening of the session, attention was fixed on the party's personnel changes. Once the session started, however, considerable time was spent on measures for the Upper House election. The New Komeito's objective is secure 13 seats of those up for grabs in the next Upper House election. In order for the ruling camp to hold 65 seats, the majority of the Upper House, the LDP will have to obtain 52 seats, reducing from the New Komeito's pre-election strength. "It is extremely difficult to get 52 seats," said a senior New Komeito member. Based on an analysis, the New Komeito and Soka Gakkai members reportedly shared a sense of crisis that should the ruling bloc failed to secure the majority in the Upper House race, the Lower House would be dissolved for a snap election. If the ruling coalition is defeated in that snap election, both the TOKYO 00004720 003 OF 007 LDP and New Komeito would fall into the opposition. In the study session, therefore, one participant said in a strong tone, "Should we be defeated in the Upper House poll, the coalition government would become a lame duck." Coordination in ruling coalition The New Komeito has predicted that if ABE becomes prime minister, the LDP, in an attempt to win the Upper House election by boosting support from conservatives, may move in the direction of approving the use of the right to collective self-defense in the security and foreign policy areas. If the New Komeito keeps too much in step with Abe, who is known for his hard-line stance toward China and South Korea, objections might be raised from among party members, as well as from the religious sect Soka Gakkai. In fact, a senior party member commented: "Frankly speaking, I preferred former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda (who quit running in the presidential race) to Mr. Abe." Reportedly, such concern was talked about in the study session and a rightward-tilt-policy line by an ABE government was discussed. Soka Gakkai has characterized the 80th anniversary of its founding in 2010 as a special year for it to make the next leap. Over the next four years until then, "In order to expand the party's strength and prosperity of its backer, the New Komeito cannot stumble in the middle," said an informed source. The New Komeito has to walk a precarious tightrope, while paying attention to both sides: the reality that it will have to go along with the LDP led by Abe, who is regarded as being a hawk politically; and its policy differences with Abe. (4) Round-table discussion on prime minister's Yasukuni visit on day marking end of WWI, ways to resolve Yasukuni issue: Evaluation of Aug. 15 shrine visit ASAHI (Page 12) (Full) August 16, 2006 Takeshi Noda: LDP Lower House memberIsao Tokoro: professor, Kyoto Sangyo University Kan Sanjun: professor, University of Tokyo -- How do you evaluate the prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15? Noda: I guess Prime Minister Koizumi supposedly is now satisfied, having brought about a crowning achievement just before he steps down. But Japan's relations with Asian countries, particularly, with China and South Korea, have never been in worst shape. Improvement in those sets of bilateral relations will be left as a task for the next prime minister. In World War II, many people were killed on the mainland China, the number being several times more than that of the Japanese killed in the war. The prime minister has not referred to the victims in other countries. We expected the prime minister, as the leader in Asia, to consider matters from a broad standpoint and then convey his historical views to the people. Tokoro: Politicians must implement what they promised to the people, and it is significant that the prime minister followed through with his initial intention. Nonetheless, I think the prime minister's choice of Aug. 15 to make his visit is undesirable. Aug. TOKYO 00004720 004 OF 007 15 marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, in other words, a day of sorrow and remorse. For China and South Korea, it is the day of their liberation. Yasukuni Shrine is a place where those who died for their country have been enshrined since the end of the Edo period. Given this, it is appropriate to pay homage at the shrine during the great spring or autumn shrine festivals. Kan: There is much to lose by his paying homage there. The prime minister has drawn the curtain on his one-man show at the Koizumi Theater based on his own philosophy. But the visit might trigger a "patriot game" in Asia in the future. The prime minister's latest visit has made it more difficult for the emperor to visit the shrine. -- Prime Minister Koizumi has said that he will not be affected by angry reactions from China and South Korea. Taking up the controversial issue of the enshrinement of Class-A war criminals, he stressed that he has not paid homage to any specific person. Regarding the principle of separating religion and state, he cites freedom of thought. Noda: That is a switch in the focus of argument. Such remarks by the prime minister have fanned undesirable nationalism or xenophobia. It is very dangerous for the leader to say: "Those who criticize my shrine visits are plants from China and South Korea." In reference to the issue of Class-A war criminals, the prime minister claims that the dead should be treated equally," but Yasukuni Shrine discriminates against the dead. Only officers who belonged to imperial forces are enshrined, and Takamori Saigo, a rebel army member, is not honored there. Then Chief Priest of Yasukuni Shrine Nagayoshi Matsudaira, who decided to enshrine Class-A war criminals, stated: "Unless the historical views shown at the Tokyo War Crimes Trials are erased, the spirit of Japan will never be restored." The main purpose of the existence of Yasukuni Shrine was changed from honoring the souls of the war dead into denying the Tokyo Trials, resulting in complicating the situation. Tokoro: Chinese and South Korean peoples certainly have harbored bitter feelings. It is inevitable for their governments to criticize Japan on behalf of them. But there are even accusations based on deliberately exaggerated views or by distorting history, as well as ill-directed criticism. Enshrining the Imperial Army officers was intended for Japan to maintain uniformity and justification as a modern state. Saigo is not enshrined at Yasukuni, but there are many shrines across the nation honoring him, and the Meiji government also approved the enshrinement of him. Kan: In many countries, the government memorializes those who gave their lives for the country. But it is unusual to separate imperial force members and rebel army members and give them different treatment. There is the issue of Class-A war criminals' culpability for Japan's defeat in the war. Although the Allied Forces handed down judgments at the Tokyo Trials, the issue has been left unresolved in the people's hearts. It is necessary to consider, based on prewar history, why separation of religion and state is clearly stipulated (in the Constitution). The issue of Yasukuni Shrine as a religious corporation is different in nature from the issue of customary practices. TOKYO 00004720 005 OF 007 Tokoro: Japanese did not pursue the issue of war leaders' culpability for losing the battles just after the end of the war. On the contrary, an increasing number of people began to criticize the management of the Tokyo Trials immediately after Japan became independent based on the Treaty of San Francisco. Many were also calling for pardoning those labeled as war criminals. The Diet also unanimously adopted a resolution calling for it. Noda: Prior to the official visit to Yasukuni Shrine by Prime Minister Nakasone in 1985, I visited China to discuss the matter with then China-Japan Friendship Association Vice Chairman Sun Pinghun and others. I explained: "The prime minister will not pay homage to the Class-A war criminals," but the Chinese side's reply was: "Although we understand the Japanese people's feelings, we Chinese have also our own national feelings. The prime minister's bow on behalf of the people will lead to recovering the honor of the Class-A war criminals, so the Chinese people remain unconvinced." The Chinese government's response to Nakasone's shrine visit was far more modest than recent fierce reactions. Because of such a stance, though, the government was under heavy fire from the public. Some complain: "China has used the Yasukuni issue as a diplomatic card." I want them to understand that this is a deep, special issue for the Chinese government. As some say: "There are shrines honoring Takamori Saigo in Japan, and there are a variety of ways of honoring him," creating a Tojo shrine is also an option. There is no need to adhere to Yasukuni. Kan: You said: "Japanese did not pursue the issue of culpability for the lost war," but this statement is questionable. There were moves to try to resolve this issue. Instead, the argument that it was a war of self-defense and that the judgments of the Tokyo War Crimes Trials were improper have been brought to the forefront at present. People have not seriously considered that this argument creates a serious situation. Prime Minister Koizumi has not considered it, either. Tokoro: The Greater East Asia War developed into a total war, and many Japanese soldiers detained in Siberian labor camps continued to die even after the war. These factors contributed to expanding the category of those who are enshrined at Yasukuni. The government set the criteria, and the former Health and Welfare Ministry compiled a name list and sent it to the shrine. Yasukuni enshrined the souls of listed persons as deities. (5) Ruling coalition to field Okinawa Electric Power chairman in Okinawa gubernatorial race; Minshuto finds it difficult pick candidate SANKEI (Page 4) (Excerpts) August 17, 2006 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner New Komeito decided in a meeting yesterday in Naha City of their commissions to chose a candidate for the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election to field Okinawa Electric Power Company Chairman Hirokazu Nakaima, 66, who also chairs the Okinawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The top issue for the gubernatorial race will be the relocation of US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to (Ginowan City) as part of the realignment of US forces in Japan. Okinawa has opposed the final TOKYO 00004720 006 OF 007 report agreed by the governments of Japan and the United States. A senior LDP member said, "If the ruling camp loses the gubernatorial race, the USFJ realignment plan will deadlock. As a result, such will have a serious impact on the relationship of trust between Japan and the US, as well as on bilateral security alliance." The largest opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) is focusing on House of Reprehensive member Mikio Shimoji, representative of the political organ "Sozo" made up of independent conservative lawmakers, and Tokushin Yamauchi, former Okinawa prefectural government chamberlain. Minshuto initially looked into fielding Shimoji in cooperation with other opposition parties. The party gave consideration to the Japanese Communist Party, which is reluctant to run Shimoji. In order also to play up standoff with the LDP, the main opposition party is considering recommending Yamauchi, who is being recommended by the Social Democratic Party, Okinawa Shakai Taishuto, and the Liberal League. However, both Shimoji and Yamauchi are eager to run in the race. Coordination will likely be difficult. (6) In Japan-US strategic security talks, requests presented by US keep coming AKAHATA (Page 2) (Abridged) August 17, 2006 Japan and the United States held three-day strategic security talks at a Tokyo hotel starting on Aug. 9. In the talks - sponsored by the Japanese and US military industries - a number of requests were presented from the US side, including a call for Japan's monitoring activities in the Indian Ocean by the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF). The US also urged the signing of a general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) to be concluded at an early date as measures to prevent leaks of military secrets in order to facilitate Japan and the US to jointly promote the development of the missile defense (MD) initiative. New guidelines The Japan-US security strategic talks were held under the sponsorship of the Security Parliamentary Council, chaired by former Defense Agency Director general Tsutomu Kawara, the US Heritage Foundation, and other organizations. The theme in its 8th session was: "Strategy for new QDR (the Quadrennial Defense Review for 2006) and expectations for the Japan-US alliance." Participating in the talks were former Defense Secretary Cohen and others from the US side and those who had once served as Defense Agency (JDA) director general, including former JDA Director General Fumio Kyuma of the Liberal Democratic Party, as well as former Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) head Seiji Maehara, and others from Japan. They discussed the policy direction of strengthening the Japan-US alliance in response to the new US strategy. Keeping in mind the new QDR strategy calling for its allies' to make more contributions, Cohen said: "A new agenda is necessary under the theme of US-Japan defense cooperation." He then indicated the need to rewrite the current bilateral defense cooperation guidelines. Cohen first praised the launch of the Japan-US joint MD development project this year and stressed: "It is necessary to alter the current state legally and systemically (both in Japan and the US) as measures to protect leaks of military classified informationl." He TOKYO 00004720 007 OF 007 reiterated the need for Japan and the US to swiftly conclude a GSOMIA, as well as for Japan to take measures to prevent military secrets from being leaked under domestic law. SIPDIS Jim Auer, former Japan Desk director at Pentagon, said: "Under the new QDR, the US regards Britain and Australia as its particularly close allies, but since Japan is not an ordinary country, that nation is not included in their group." He urged Japan, as its ally, to totally remove its constitutional restrictions in the military area. SCHIEFFER