DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 08/22/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 004797 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 08/22/06 INDEX: (1) Poll on Japan-China ties: Public feels uneasy about China's expansionism; 44% see China as military threat (2) Walking in the countries of patriotism (Part 1):Young people in quest of spiritual foundation equate themselves with the country (3) Poll on North Korean missile launches (4) Poll on US beef (5) METI to help medium, small firms reduce CO2 emissions by subsidizing equipment, introducing effect-certification system (6) Observing CO2 from space ARTICLES: (1) Poll on Japan-China ties: Public feels uneasy about China's expansionism; 44% see China as military threat YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) August 11, 2006 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in%age) Q: What's your impression of China? Very good 2.5 Good to a certain degree 24.3 Bad to a certain degree 47.2 Very bad 19.6 No answer (N/A) 6.5 Q: Which country or area do you think is important for Japan's economy? (Up to 3 choices) China 63.0 South Korea 20.2 Thailand 3.4 Malaysia 1.6 Indonesia 3.6 Philippines 2.0 Singapore 3.7 Vietnam 2.9 All ASEAN countries 13.7 India 10.8 Russia 2.6 Australia 6.1 U.S.A. 68.4 Britain 5.0 France 3.2 Germany 2.5 All EU countries 8.9 Middle East 7.2 Hong Kong 1.9 Taiwan 3.1 Other answers (O/A) 0.3 Nothing in particular (NIP) 3.5 N/A 4.1 TOKYO 00004797 002 OF 010 Q: Which country or area do you think is a most potential economy? (Up to 3 choices) Japan 18.3 China 70.0 South Korea 11.6 Thailand 1.0 Malaysia 0.6 Indonesia 1.7 Philippines 0.5 Singapore 2.5 Vietnam 2.4 All ASEAN countries 5.0 India 19.4 Russia 4.8 Australia 3.1 U.S.A. 47.8 Britain 3.0 France 2.4 Germany 2.9 All EU countries 8.3 Middle East 4.6 Hong Kong 2.4 Taiwan 1.9 O/A 0.3 NIP 2.5 N/A 4.4 Q: Which country or area-including economics-do you think would be most influential in Asia? (1 choice only) Japan 9.5 China 56.7 South Korea 2.2 Thailand 0.3 Malaysia 0.1 Indonesia 0.2 Philippines 0.1 Singapore 0.2 Vietnam 0.1 All ASEAN countries 1.3 India 1.9 Russia 0.4 Australia 0.4 U.S.A. 14.4 Britain 0.1 France 0.1 Germany 0.2 All EU countries 0.4 Middle East 1.0 Hong Kong 0.2 Taiwan 0.3 O/A 0.1 NIP 3.0 N/A 6.9 Q: Which country or area do you think would be a military threat to Japan? Pick one or more from among those listed below if any. South Korea 10.9 U.S.A. 17.6 China 44.0 ASEAN 0.5 TOKYO 00004797 003 OF 010 EU 0.5 Russia 12.7 Taiwan 0.5 North Korea 77.7 India 2.9 Middle East 7.8 Oceania 0.3 Africa 0.3 Central & South America 0.8 O/A 0.2 NIP 4.3 N/A 3.3 Q: The Chinese government has been refusing to hold summit talks with Japan because of Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. Do you think the worsening of relations between Japan and China would have a bad influence on Asia in its entirety? Yes 44.5 Yes to a certain degree 28.8 No to a certain degree 11.8 No 10.4 N/A 4.4 Q: How do you think China's economic growth will affect Japan's economy? Positive 28.4 Negative 35.7 Both positive and negative 29.7 N/A 6.2 Q: How do you think China's economic growth will affect Asia? Pick as many as you like from among those listed below. Asia would be more influential in the international community 28.0 It will lead to Asia's economic growth 33.8 China will lead Asia 40.1 China would build up its military power further to heighten military tensions 34.2 China would increase its energy consumption and make it difficult for other countries to secure energy resources 41.1 Other countries' economies would be slotted in China's economy 16.8 O/A 0.4 NIP 5.8 N/A 4.4 Q: What do you think about the present-day state of Japan-China relations? Very good 1.6 Good to a certain degree 25.5 Bad to a certain degree 51.8 Very bad 14.6 TOKYO 00004797 004 OF 010 N/A 6.5 Q: Do you think China is trustworthy? Very trustworthy 2.2 Somewhat trustworthy 27.3 Not very trustworthy 46.4 Not trustworthy at all 18.9 N/A 5.2 Q: How do you think Japan-China relations will turn out? Very good 3.1 Good to a certain degree 25.6 Unchanged 50.0 Bad to a certain degree 13.9 Very bad 2.6 N/A 4.8 Q: Do you expect the next prime minister to improve Japan's relations with China and South Korea? Yes, very much 39.4 Yes, somewhat 36.4 No, not very much 16.7 No, not at all 5.4 N/A 2.2 Polling methodology Date of survey: July 8-9. Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified two-stage random sampling basis). Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face interviews. Number of valid respondents: 1,867 persons (62.2% ). Breakdown of respondents: Male-49%, female-51%. (2) Walking in the countries of patriotism (Part 1):Young people in quest of spiritual foundation equate themselves with the country ASAHI (Pages 1 & 11) (Excerpts from Japan portion only) August 22, 2006 By Hiroki Manabe This summer, I talked to a large number of young men and women in Japan, China, and South Korea to learn their views of their respective countries. Many eagerly expressed love for their countries. Days before the August 15 end-of-the-war anniversary, I spotted a 22-year-old college student at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. I approached him and asked what brought him to the shrine. In response, he crisply said: "I came here because I love my country. It is our responsibility to honor those who died fighting for their country. There is every reason to cherish the country where we were born." He noted that at school, anyone broaching the topic of Yasukuni Shrine is stigmatized as a rightist or fascist, in stark contrast to the Internet where likeminded people can get together easily. TOKYO 00004797 005 OF 010 He also blamed the postwar education system for decaying morals in Japan, citing a lack of manners of junior and high school students hanging around at the convenience store where he works part-time. "Beijing and Seoul are furious at the prime minister's repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine. What do you think of that?" I asked. The student replied: "They are using the anti-Japanese feelings of the public in order to dodge public discontent with the government. They should stop demanding an apology of Japan based on events that never occurred." On Aug. 15, the controversial Shinto shrine was crowded with young men and women. This brought to the mind of Mizuo Miyauchi, 70, of the Association to Acknowledge the Divine Spirits of the Dead, the same shrine on Aug. 15, 1955. He was the only visitor to the shrine around noontime that day. This year, over 250,000 people visited the shrine. Those under 30 years of age accounted for one-third of the total, according to the association. Miyauchi thinks this reflects growing patriotism in reaction to interference with the Yasukuni issue by China and South Korea. What is the driving force behind their patriotism? I saw a number of youths collecting signatures around the shrine's No. 2 Torii gate on Aug. 15 to promote the association's cause. One of them was the group's representative Atsushi Iwata, 22, a Waseda University graduate student majoring in political science. Other members were also all graduate students from such prestigious schools as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Keio University. Iwata noted: "Reviving prewar militarism is not our goal. We think, however, the postwar Japan has failed to nurture healthy nationalism." The youths who showed up at Yasukuni all share strong feelings for their country. Iwata's involvement in the association started with an incident during his high school days in Shizuoka Prefecture. The high school club to which Iwata belonged discussed war and decided to distribute 600 copies of a collection of essays written by volunteers during an annual school festival. But the teachers unilaterally decided to ban the distribution of the essays, citing their excessive inclination toward the right. The school's attempted to squash any idea that was out of line with its view sparked an urge in Iwata to rebel against postwar democracy and peace and human rights education. Notes left behind by Kamikaze pilots immensely moved Iwata, as well. Iwata is being driven by alarm that the Japan the divine spirits of the war dead desperately tried to defend by risking their lives is TOKYO 00004797 006 OF 010 now falling apart today, 60 years after the end of the war. The young men and women who gathered at Yasukuni Shrine all share Iwata's wariness about the current situation of Japan and its postwar education system that failed to teach loyalty to the country. They have no hesitation to express their love for the country and are clearly devoid of the loss and remorse that were engraved in the minds of Japanese people 61 years ago. Members of the Conservative Students' Association composed of students and company employees in their twenties also assembled at Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15. They always discuss patriotism at coffee shops on weekends. Why do people think of their country? Members gave the following answers: "People cannot live alone, and we are all citizens of this country. So there is every reason for us to devote ourselves to the country." "The state is a family. The state, which is our father, is suffering from an illness, and that has stirred up our love for the country." "We are the state, and that's that." They exchange views at coffee shops on weekends - sometimes for over eight hours nonstop. They cannot discuss patriotism at school or the workplace. "We can truly enjoy the freedom of speech here," said the group's organizer Korehiro Endo, 23, who also runs the patriotic Uyotama Website. Although the Internet played a central role in linking the members together, they more often than not talk to each other face to face today. "Young people use the Internet to make friends. We don't have to use the Internet because we are already friends," explained a 22-year-old student. Members viewed fireworks at the Outer Garden of Meiji Shrine on Aug. ¶16. "You get together not for the sake of patriotism?" I asked Endo. He replied: "My friends are all patriotic. Having love for the country is the prerequisite to join our group." Young people lean on the country like getting together with friends. With memories of the last major war quickly fading, loyalty to the country seems to be working as a glue to bond individuals together. (3) Poll on North Korean missile launches YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 13, 2006 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in%age) Q: Based on Japan's proposal, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning North Korea for its firing of missiles and calling for North Korea to suspend all activities related to its missile program. What do you think about TOKYO 00004797 007 OF 010 this UNSC resolution? Appreciate very much 49.3 Appreciate somewhat 37.0 Don't appreciate very much 6.1 Don't appreciate at all 2.6 No answer (N/A) 4.9 Q: The Group of Eight (G-8) summit talks, recently held in Russia, adopted the chairman's statement calling for North Korea to freeze its missile firing and give up on its nuclear development program. What do you think about the Japanese government's role played for the UNSC resolution and the G-8 summit chairman's statement? Appreciate very much 31.0 Appreciate somewhat 46.2 Don't appreciate very much 12.6 Don't appreciate at all 3.8 N/A 6.4 Q: The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is thinking of presenting a bill to the Diet to restrict specific financial transactions as an additional sanction on North Korea. Do you think such a new law is needed? Yes 55.0 Yes to a certain degree 24.4 No to a certain degree 7.6 No 5.7 N/A 7.2 Q: Do you think Japan should cooperate with the United States and hurry to introduce a missile defense system that can shoot down enemy missiles? Yes 38.8 Yes to a certain degree 23.1 No to a certain degree 15.5 No 17.6 N/A 5.1 Q: In response to North Korea's missile launches, there is a view that is concerned about missile attacks against Japan, saying Japan should acquire the capability of striking enemy missile sites. Do you agree with this view? Yes 21.9 Yes to a certain degree 16.8 No to a certain degree 21.3 No 33.8 N/A 6.3 Polling methodology Date of survey: Aug. 5-6. Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified two-stage random sampling basis). Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face interviews. Number of valid respondents: 1,741 persons (58.0% ). (4) Poll on US beef TOKYO 00004797 008 OF 010 YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 12, 2006 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in%age) Q: The government has decided to resume US beef imports, which were banned due to BSE specified risk materials found in shipments. Do you support the decision? Yes 19.4 Yes to a certain degree 17.5 No to a certain degree 21.5 No 37.7 No answer (N/A) 4.0 Q: Do you feel uneasy about the safety of US beef? Yes, very much 46.3 Yes, somewhat 33.9 No, not very much 12.9 No, not at all 5.9 N/A 1.0 Q: Would you like to eat US beef when imports are resumed? Yes 10.2 Will wait and see 43.1 No 45.0 N/A 1.7 Q: Do you think restaurant menus and processed foods should be required to show the country of origin to see if US beef is used? Yes 76.9 Yes to a certain degree 14.6 No to a certain degree 2.8 No 4.3 N/A 1.4 Polling methodology Date of survey: Aug. 5-6. Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified two-stage random sampling basis). Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face interviews. Number of valid respondents: 1,741 persons (58.0% ). Breakdown of respondents: Male-49%, female-51%. (5) METI to help medium, small firms reduce CO2 emissions by subsidizing equipment, introducing effect-certification system NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Slightly abridged) April 21, 2006 The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will assist medium and small companies' efforts to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. The ministry has decided to pay up to half of the cost needed to introduce equipment to save energy as measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions. METI also plan to ask a third-party organ to certify the gas emission reduction effect of new equipment. Compared with larger companies, medium and small firms have been TOKYO 00004797 009 OF 010 slow to take measures to contain global warming. Specifically, METI envisions facilities to reduce consumed electric power by skillfully controlling plant operations, as well as to change residual heat in a boiler into energy. It also plans to subsidize measures to improve air-conditioning facilities in shops and upgrade the insulation effect of refrigerators. The amount of assistance will be 10 million to 20 million yen per company. METI will provide companies that filed applications with subsidies through the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, an independent administrative agency. For about 20 companies, 350 million yen will be set aside. ChuoAoyama Sustainability Certification will authenticate gas emission-reduction effects as a third-party organ. Although many major companies have introduced the certification system, stemming from a desire to underscore their efforts to protect the environment, the system has yet to be commonly used by small firms. (6) Observing CO2 from space MAINICHI (Page 3) August 21, 2006 To examine which parts of the earth are absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and which parts are emitting it, the governments of Japan and the US will launch observation satellites in two years. This will be the first time to launch satellites for the purposes of observing CO2 concentrations in the fight against global warming. There are few observation points on the ground in the tropics or the southern hemisphere, and accurate observation has yet to be conducted on a global scale. The objective of this project is to help prevent global warming by covering the "blank areas" from space and reveal the distribution of CO2 emission and absorbtion. Japan will launch the Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) in August 2008. It is a joint project by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA),the National Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Ministry of the Environment. The GOSAT will traverse a north-south orbit approximately 666 km aboveground, allowing it to observe the same point every three days. Over the five years of the project, the globe will eventually be divided into 64 to 128 sections. Each section's CO2 "balance" of absorption and emission will be made clear. The team will collect data so that the CO2 emissions and absorption of each country can be ascertained by satellite observation in the future. As for the United States, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) in September 2008. The satellite will travel in a north-south orbit approximately 705 km above the earth and observe the same points at least every 16 days. As CO2 concentration in a given area can change throughout the day, observation time will be synchronized to 1:15 PM local time. NASA plans to carry out the observation for two years. For the observation, both countries will make use of the fact that a particular wavelength of infrared absorbs CO2. CO2 concentrations will be estimated by measuring the infrared light reflected back from the ground. Currently, the average CO2 concentration over the entire earth is approximately 380 ppm. Japan will aim for a margin TOKYO 00004797 010 OF 010 of error of 1% in comparison to ground observation, while the United States is looking to hold the margin of error to 0.3% or less. Europe is also considering satellite observation like Japan and the United States. Currently, there are approximately 40 continuous ground observation points. It is said that the satellite observation of Japan and the United States will enable the understanding of the changes in CO2 concentration over months and seasons across the entire earth, something that has heretofore been unfeasible. Tatsuya Yokota, the GOSAT project leader at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, says: "This is an attempt to measure which parts of the earth absorb or emit CO2, kind of like determining the planet's breathing patterns. CO2. Once the entire picture is revealed, we will know which parts of the world need treatment to prevent global warming." DONOVAN