JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/01/06

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 09/01/06 Index: Political campaign: 1) Poll of all LDP lawmakers shows SHINZO ABE has more than 70% backing for LDP president 2) ABE to declare LDP candidacy today: Finds no problem with Class A war criminals at Yasukuni 3) Abe's campaign book, Toward a Beautiful Country, to vie with Ozawa's campaign book, Ozawa-ism, in run up to next summer's Upper House election 4) Tanigaki now has the 20 names needed to sponsor his candidacy in the LDP race 5) Prime Minister Koizumi finishes up his "strategic diplomacy in Finland at ASEM 6) Japan prepares another 5 million yen grant to Lebanon for infrastructure repairs Iran problem: 7) Foreign Minister Aso presses Iran's vice foreign minister on nuclear issue 8) Iran's defiance of the UN by continuing uranium enrichment puts Japan in bind Security affairs: 9) US, Japan reach agreement on Japan paying for Kadena aircraft-training relocation cost 10) Strategic dialogue next week between Japan and ROK 11) Minshuto's Naoto Kan comes out against the argument tolerating Japan's use of collective self-defense 12) US, Japan agree that Taepodong-2 test launches so far a complete failure 13) Fear that US long grain rice mixed with banned GMO strain may be mixed in with grain imports in Japan Articles: 1) OPINION Nikkei poll: Over 70% of LDP lawmakers support ABE in the party presidential election; ABE to announce his candidacy today NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Excerpt) September 1, 2006 Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE will officially announce his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidency at a press conference in Hiroshima City this evening. In a survey of the situation carried out by this newspaper as of Aug. 31 of 403 LDP lawmakers, a total of 296 supported ABE or more than 70 % of the whole. He has a commanding lead over other two candidates, Finance Minister Tanigaki, expected to announce his candidacy shortly, and Foreign Minister Aso. 2) ABE regards enshrinement of Class-A war criminals as presenting no problem; to announce policy platform today; MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 TOKYO 00004998 002 OF 007 Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE will officially announce his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency and his policy platform in Hiroshima today. Yesterday, he attended the LDP Hokkaido Block Convention in Sapporo. In connection with the Yasukuni Shrine issue, he indicated that he had no problem with the enshrinement of Class-A war criminals at the shrine, citing the fact that Confederate soldiers are buried on the site of Arlington National Cemetery in the United States. Abe's policy platform focuses on educational reform, constitutional revision, as well as regional measures. The measures are intended to rectify the state of expanding regional discrepancies caused as a result of Koizumi reforms. He also has in mind the House of Councillors election next summer. On the question of whether he would visit Yasukuni should he win the presidency, ABE said: "I have no intention to declare (that I will go or I will not go)" in order to avoid the issue from developing into a diplomatic or political issue." 3) Ozawa publishes book Ozawaism, keeping Abe's book, Toward a Beautiful Country, in mind MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) September 1, 2006 "Ozawaism," a book authored by Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa, will be put on sale today. The book includes many passages written apparently with Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe in mind, like criticism of Abe's call for patriotic education in the classroom. The day of publication also falls on the same day as Abe's announcement of his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency. In July, ABE issued a book titled: "Toward a Beautiful Country" (Bunshun Shinsho). In the run-up to the start of debates on a bill to amend the Basic Education Law in the extraordinary Diet session this fall, Ozawa and ABE have given a preview of the fight with their new books. This is Ozawa's first major book since he wrote Blueprint for A New Japan in 1993. The book that goes on sale today details what leaders and politics should do. At the outset, the importance of elections is emphasized. He noted: "It is important for candidates to meet various people and learn what problems they have. Door-to-door canvassing is indisputably the original point of democracy." He draws a line with Abe, who indicates in his book the importance of patriotism or love of country. Regarding patriotism, Ozawa notes: "Even if children are taught and brainwashed, real love of country will not be generated among them. ... It is meaningless to carry out a patriotitic education program that does not include the importance of forming a society and a state of which children can be proud." This description is in contrast to Abe's assertion for "correction of masochistic history education." 4) Tanigaki now has recommendations for LDP presidency from 20 lawmakers ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) September 1, 2006 The Niwa-Koga and Yamasaki factions in the Liberal Democratic Party TOKYO 00004998 003 OF 007 (LDP) have decided to let two members each support Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, a LDP presidential candidate-to-be, in the Sept. 21 party leadership race. The two factions have judged it necessary to deepen debate on Asia diplomacy and fiscal reconstruction by letting Tanigaki run in the election. With this, Tanigaki has now secured recommendations from 20 LDP Diet members, including lawmakers with no factional allegiance. The Niwa-Koga faction confirmed in its executive meeting yesterday that the faction would back Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe. However since faction members individually support Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso, the faction has informally decided to give recommendations from two House of Representatives members to Tanigaki and a total of three supporters -- two Lower House members and one Upper House member --to Aso. The Yamasaki faction, meanwhile, has decided to allow its members to cast their votes independently. However since faction head Taku Yamasaki and other members favor Tanigaki's policies, the faction will give Tanigaki two backers. A senior Tanigaki faction member told a senior Niwa-Koga faction member: "With this, Tanigaki now has the 20 sponsors he needed." 5) Prime minister ends his strategic diplomacy with visit to Finland starting on the 7th; Unfinished tasks to be left for his successor SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi returned home yesterday, winding up a visit to Central Asia. He has made 50 foreign trips since taking office. He has traveled approximately 800,000 kilometers by plane, which is equivalent to going around the earth almost 20 times. The strategic diplomacy of Koizumi, who is to step down in less than a month, will end with a visit to Finland starting in early September. The government yesterday announced that the prime minister would visit Finland for six days starting on Sept. 7 to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting. It is going to be his last foreign trip as prime minister, according to an aide. Looking back on his foreign trips, Koizumi told reporters on the 29th at a hotel in Tashkent: "I did my utmost. I am now satisfied." The meaning of some of his trips was called into question, according to a source connected with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, a number of trips were planned by the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) without the involvement of the Foreign Ministry. The quintessential case among his numerous trips was his surprise visit to North Korea in September 2002. Kantei spent two years carefully arranging visits to Turkey in January, and to Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Jordan in July this year in order to deepen Japan's involvement in the Middle East peace process. In arranging visits to Ghana and Ethiopia in April, and Mongolia in August, followed by Central Asia, Kantei had a strategy of securing energy resources that can replace oil from the Middle East, thereby checking China and Russia. 6) Government to provide Lebanon with 5 million dollars in TOKYO 00004998 004 OF 007 reconstruction aid ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) September 1, 2006 In an international conference on support for Lebanon held in Sweden, Senior Foreign Vice Minister Katsutoshi Kaneda announced the government's decision to extend a total of 5 million dollars in additional aid to Lebanon. The money will be spent for the reconstruction of Lebanon's infrastructure, mine removal, and heavy oil removal, through the United Nations and other organizations. 7) Foreign Minister in meeting with Iranian vice foreign minister calls on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activity YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) September 1, 2006 Foreign Minister Aso yesterday met with visiting Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Araqchi at the Foreign Ministry. During the talks, he criticized Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program: "Iran has engaged in nuclear development activities over the past 18 years without notifying the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)." He then called on Iran to respond to the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) call to end its uranium enrichment activity. Araqchi did not directly respond to Aso's call. He instead stressed that his nation was ready to discuss the nuclear issue with the permanent UNSC members and Germany, noting, "All of our doors are open for a peaceful settlement of the issue." The UNSC is calling on Iraq to suspend its uranium enrichment activity, setting the deadline for August 31. 8) Iran fails to respond to call to suspend its uranium enrichment activity MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 Iran failed to respond to the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) call to suspend its uranium enrichment activity as of Aug. 31, the deadline to meet the request. Full discussions on whether to apply sanctions on the nation by the UNSC will start, following a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The situation will then enter a key juncture of deciding whether to invoke sanctions or continue talks. However, with Iran increasing its presence in the Middle East and the Islamic community amid the situation in Lebanon, there is no excellent idea to let it stop nuclear activities. The international community is facing a policy dilemma. Japan's position Japan, which relies on Iran for approximately 15% of its crude oil import and also has a major stake in the development of the Azadegan oil field, has worked on that nation to make concessions. However, failing to exercise any influence, the growign anticipation in the government is that sanctions "may be unavoidable." Talks on the development of the Azadegan oil field are being pursued on the private sector level. However, Japan is bound to come under TOKYO 00004998 005 OF 007 international fire if it starts up the project. As such, Foreign Minister Aso has repeatedly said, "Japan will never give in on the nuclear issue easily for the sake of its own oil interests." The Foreign Ministry takes this view, "Even if the UNSC starts discussing the possibility of applying sanctions, sanctions will be mild at first." MOFA thus intends to support the argument calling for sanctions. 9) Japan, US agree on Japan's share of cost of relocating training of aircraft based at Kadena Air Base, with implementation by next spring TOKYO (Top play) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 It has been learned that Japan and the United States have reached agreement that the Japanese government would bear the relocation cost of training by US aircraft that will be relocated from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture to a Self-Defense Forces base on mainland Japan. The two sides aim to implement the first training relocation by next March. The plan calls for Japan to bear the burden of responding to the needs of the US forces with such facilities as billets and hangars. Since the F-15s at Kadena will have to fly back and forth between Okinawa and mainland Japan, the Japanese side will pick up will be such expenses as necessary fuel costs, transportation of mechanics who will have to accompany the aircraft and of maintenance equipment. 10) Japan, South Korea to hold strategic dialogues next week in Seoul YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) September 1, 2006 The governments of Japan and South Korea have generally decided yesterday to hold next week in Seoul a vice foreign minister-level strategic dialogue, as well as talks of senior foreign ministry officials on the boundary of exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi from the Japanese side and the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry's First Vice Minister Ryu Myong Hwang from the South Korean side will attend the upcoming third strategic dialogue to discuss the issue of North Korea's missile lunches and other issues. At the two meetings, Tokyo will call on Seoul to create an advance notification system under which the two countries would notify in advance their plans on marine research in waters around the Takeshima/Dokdo isles where both sides have claimed their EEZs. 11) Minshuto's Kan opposes Abe's view to allow the exercise of the right to collective defense ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) September 1, 2006 Referring at a press conference yesterday to Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe's view that the exercise of the right to collective defense should be allowed, Naoto Kan, acting president of the largest opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), expressed his opposition to Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe's TOKYO 00004998 006 OF 007 view that exercise of the right to collective defense should be allowed by changing the government's interpretation and not by constitutional amendment. He stated: "Various people have mentioned the right to collective defense (in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race). The present Constitution does not allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel to go abroad for the purpose of fighting and for war. If and when we consider amending the Constitution in the future, the interpretation of the Constitution that would allow the SDF to do so is not desirable. This is our party's stance." 12) Japan, US conclude Taepodong-2 launch was complete failure; First stage landed 2 kilometers from base, second stage near North Korean coast ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 The first stage of the Taepodong-2 long-range missile launched by North Korea on July 5 blew up immediately after being fired and landed in a spot 2 kilometers away from the launch base, the Japanese and US governments have concluded. The Defense Agency indicated earlier that the second stage had splashed into waters in the Sea of Japan 400 kilometers away from the North Korean base. But actually, the second stage seems to have landed in a spot near North Korea's eastern coast. As a result, the Defense Agency has concluded that the Taepodong-2 was a complete failure. According to Japanese government sources, Taepodong-2 was launched from the missile base in Musudanri in northern North Korea toward waters off Hawaii. Immediately after being launched, the first stage split off from the second stage and the first stage fell to the ground. Japanese and US intelligence satellites detected a burnt hole 100 meters long and 50 meters wide at a spot about 2 kilometers away from the base. With missile parts scattered around the base, the Taepodong-2 is believed to have begun coming apart immediately after being launched. The Defense Agency, based on the launch pad's angle obtained from the intelligence satellites and other data, initially concluded that the missile had landed in a spot 400 kilometers away from the base. The US recalculated the missile's trajectory based on data collected by ballistic missile-observing reconnaissance aircraft Cobra Ball and equipment. A senior Defense Agency official said, "It was a complete failure." 13) GMO long-grain rice might be contained in grain shipment from US MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) September 1, 2006 Unauthorized genetically modified (GM) long rice was found mingled with a grain shipment from the United States in May. In this connection, it was found yesterday that long-grain rice flour - about 7% of the total - was contained among the miscellaneous cereals that Nippon Flour Mills imported from the US. Since it is still unknown whether or not the product is GM-free, the company reported it to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the TOKYO 00004998 007 OF 007 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It has also halted the distribution of about 8 tons of stocked products made by such imported cereals. DONOVAN