DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/11/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 005209 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 09/11/06 INDEX: (1) Editorial: Proliferation of dangers continues five years after 9/11 attacks with declining US power (2) Poll on political parties, LDP presidential election (3) Tanigaki's strong performance may give life to anti-Abe forces; Aso's good fight may result in integration into ABE (4) Editorial: ABE must not throw away Murayama statement (5) Possibility surfacing of secretary Iijima staying on in ABE administration (6) METI's Ishiguro may be appointed administrative secretary (7) War of nerves to contain BSE five years after discovery of first infection case; Survey found two infection peaks: Is the second peak the last? (8) "Ozawa vision" aims at winning over conservative vote; Minshuto putting up front the issue of correcting social disparity ARTICLES: (1) Editorial: Proliferation of dangers continues five years after 9/11 attacks with declining US power NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Abridged) September 10, 2006 Five years have passed since the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. The impact of the attacks was tremendous. The US afterward led the war on terror, which brought about great changes in the international environment. From cooperation to disagreement Immediately after the attacks, President Bush professed, "This is war." He later ordered strikes against Afghanistan, a country that was then under the rule of the Islamic fundamentalist group Taliban, which had links to Al Qaeda and where that terrorist organization had bases. The war on terror was aimed at ending the Taliban's rule of Afghanistan and was supported by European countries, China, and Russia. At the time, all major countries across the world shared the same crisis awareness brought about by the 9/11 attacks and acted together with the US. But the Iraq war that the US commenced in March 2003 shifted the trend of international cooperation that had continued since the 9/11 attacks owing to international disagreement and division. Britain took part in the war, but Germany, France, certain other European countries, China, Russia, and Arab countries were strongly opposed to the war. In concert with the launching of the Iraq war, the Bush administration worked out a concept for promoting democracy in the Middle East. This move, however, was met by objections or a sense of wariness in the international community. Critics felt that promoting democracy there would be no more than forcing ideas on people without paying attention to the realities they were facing. Weapons of mass destruction were cited as the cause for the Iraq war, but no material evidence was ever discovered, and the local security situation in Iraq has only continued to worsen, with the number of US soldiers killed continuing to rise. Approval ratings TOKYO 00005209 002 OF 008 for President Bush in the US have been dropping sharply, and the American public is becoming more inward-looking. The US has found difficult even to partially pull its troops out of Iraq, resulting in restricting is military deployment capabilities elsewhere in the world. Consequently, America's diplomatic power across the board and its global leadership have markedly declined. As a result, the unipolar world led by the US as only superpower has started to collapse, and there is no prospect in sight for anything to avoid that situation. With the emergence of a power vacuum, narrow national interests are beginning to erupt all over the world. One example is Iran's nuclear weapons program Since the start of its second term, the Bush administration seems to have discarded arguments favoring preemptive action or democratization theory advocated by neo-conservatives and instead began to attach more importance to pragmatic diplomacy led by the State Department. But President Bush still associates himself solely with a dualist theory: dividing countries into terrorist states and democratic nations, or thinking only whether a country sides with the US or not. Recently, he has begun to describe Islamic radicals as "waging a totalitarian war." Terrorist acts are heinous crimes. The fault lies solely on the side that carried out the terrorism. Yet, we nonetheless believe it necessary to stress that many on this planet cannot accept America's moralistic black and white responses made since the 9/11 incident, as well as America's foreign policy that is overly protective of Israel. Prevention of breeding of future terrorists In the war on terror, most Al Qaeda bases were destroyed by military power. But the ideas of Al Qaeda have since turned into an ideology that has permeated across the world, and Islamic radicals' international network has spread to Europe and Asia through cyber space on the Internet. Their cause has been helped by the spread of mass media reporting on the situation of the Palestinian people. Thanks to video footages, many Muslims can easily share an awareness that they are the victims of the present international order. The bomb attacks on the London underground in July 2005 and the disclosure of the attempted simultaneous bombing of passenger planes in August 2006 revealed that young Pakistanis born and raised in Britain had picked up radical thoughts before anyone noticed and turned into suicide terrorists. Most Muslims on the globe reject terrorism and hope to live safely. How best to cut the vicious cycle of producing future terrorists from among those Muslims? Hard power -- military strength -- and security measures are not sufficient to achieve the goal of the war on terrorism. A wise response is expected from not only the US but also the rest of the world, including education that explains the importance of well-balanced diplomacy and co-existence with peoples with different cultures. (2) Poll on political parties, LDP presidential election ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) September 10, 2006 Questions & Answers TOKYO 00005209 003 OF 008 (Figures shown in percentage, rounded off.) Q: Which political party do you support now? (Parentheses denote the results of a survey conducted Aug. 26-27.) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 40(38) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 14(13) New Komeito (NK) 3(3) Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 1(3) Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 2(2) People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0(0) New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) 0(0) Liberal League (LL or Jiyu Rengo) 0(0) Other political parties 1(0) None 36(37) No answer (N/A) + don't know (D/K) 3(4) Q: Are you interested in the upcoming LDP presidential election? (Parentheses denote the results of a survey conducted Jan. 28-29.) Yes 63(71) No 35(26) Q: Mr. SHINZO Abe, Mr. Sadakazu Tanigaki, and Mr. Taro Aso have announced their candidacies for the LDP presidential election. Who do you think is appropriate to become the next prime minister? (One choice only) Shinzo ABE 54 Sadakazu Tanigaki 11 Taro Aso 10 Q: Do you expect policy debates in the LDP presidential election this time? (Parentheses denote the results of a survey conducted Aug. 21-22.) Yes 26(24) No 58(60) Q: What would you like the next prime minister to pursue first? (One choice only) Pension, welfare reforms 48 Social divide correction 10 Local revitalization 9 Fiscal reconstruction 17 Constitutional reform 2 Asia diplomacy correction 9 Q: Mr. ABE is reportedly gathering public support as a candidate to become the next prime minister. What do you think is the primary reason for his nationwide popularity? (One choice only) Policy, opinion 5 Action 10 Youthfulness 11 Personal character, image 44 There's no other appropriate person 25 Q: Mr. ABE has made public his manifesto titled "Japan the Beautiful." Do you know his political pledges? (One choice only) Know about his pledges 11 TOKYO 00005209 004 OF 008 Know he has made it public 61 Don't know about his pledges 27 Q: Would you like the current LDP-led coalition government to stay on, or would you otherwise like it to be replaced with a DSP-led coalition? (Parentheses denote the results of a survey conducted Aug. 21-22.) LDP-led coalition 44(38) DSP-led coalition 34(29) Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Sept. 8-9 across the nation over the telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis. Respondents were chosen from among the nation's voting population on a three-stage random-sampling basis. Valid answers were obtained from 1,055 persons (60 percent). (3) Tanigaki's strong performance may give life to anti-Abe forces; Aso's good fight may result in integration into ABE MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) September 9, 2006 Supported widely by LDP lawmakers, Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe holds a commanding lead over Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki in the ongoing LDP presidential race. Which of the two - Aso or Tanigaki - will come second after Abe is also a focus of attention, as it may affect Abe's management of his administration. If Tanigaki garners a large number of votes, anti-Abe forces might come back to life, and if Aso comes in second, his policies might be integrated into Abe's. (4) Editorial: ABE must not throw away Murayama statement ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) September 8, 2006 In 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the war's end, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama stated: "During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy and through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the peoples of Asian nations. Based on a spirit of humanity, I regard these as irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology." The statement reflected Murayama's earnest desire to dissolve neighboring countries' ill feelings left behind by the last major war as a person serving as the prime minister in a milestone year. Since then, this has taken root at home and abroad as the Japanese government's view of history. The statement clearly spoke of Japan's view and has played an important role in winning trust of neighboring countries. But Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO Abe, who is quite certain to become the next prime minister, does not seem to like this statement. Abe has repeatedly been asked in a press interview and press conferences ahead of the LDP presidential election if he would follow the Murayama statement once he became prime minister. But his TOKYO 00005209 005 OF 008 answers were always elusive. Asked for his view on colonial rule and aggression, mentioned in the Murayama statement, ABE simply said, "The matter should be left to historians." Abe has been involved with a group of lawmakers critical of "masochistic historical views." He might just want to avoid recognizing Japan's past acts as aggression and making apologies. He also abstained from a vote on the Diet resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the war's end. Most people, including many historians, regard the war in China and Southeast Asia as an act of aggression. All Japanese prime ministers since Yasuhiro Nakasone officially recognized it as aggression. Though the statement bears the name of Prime Minister Murayama, who hailed from the Japan Socialist Party, it reflected the Japanese government's official view. In fact, it was the coalition cabinet composed of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party of Japan, and Sakigake (Harbinger) that adopted the Murayama statement. Since then, the Japanese government has used it as a guideline in showing its historical views. It served as the foundation for the Japan-South Korea Joint Declaration, issued in 1998 by then Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung. Japan also released the Japan-China Joint Declaration with Chinese President Jiang Zemin pledging to abide by the Murayama statement. Prime Minister Koizumi has followed the statement on a variety of occasions, including the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration and his speech at the Asia-Africa summit last year. Koizumi also released a similar statement on Aug. 15 last year, the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. An ABE administration must not present a vague view on historical issues, for such is certain to undermine Japan's Asia policy and trust in our country. We are concerned about how ABE will conduct diplomacy. (5) Possibility surfacing of secretary Iijima staying on in ABE administration Sentaku (September 2006) (Full) With Chief Cabinet Secretary SHINZO ABE viewed as certain to become the next prime minister, the possibility has now surfaced that Isao Iijima, now parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, will continue as Abe's secretary. Iijima is an influential aide to Prime Minister Koizumi. He has thoroughly excluded the bureaucrats who resisted Prime Minister Koizumi's reform plans, as the second-most influential person in the Kantei, following the prime minister. Under such a situation, aides to ABE and some members of the New Komeito have been overheard saying that Iijima's influence is necessary for the next administration to continue to carry out Koizumi reforms. Iijima, though, has said: "I will go back to Koizumi's office in the Parliamentary Hall as a policy secretary after Mr. Koizumi steps TOKYO 00005209 006 OF 008 down as prime minister." But it is also true that Iijima remains alert to the possibility of anti-Koizumi forces gaining influence again after the ABE administration is launched. Given this, many think he might be keeping in mind the possibility of continuing to control the Kantei as a close aide to Abe. (6) METI's Ishiguro may be appointed administrative secretary Sentaku (September 2000) (Full) The possibility is now growing that Norihiko Ishiguro, councillor of the Minister's Secretariat at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI),may assume the post of administrative secretary to the prime minister in an ABE administration. When then Daiei President Kunio Takagi decided in October 2004 to turn to the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan for help, Ishiguro "confined" Takagi in a Tokyo hotel in a move to prevent Daiei from doing so. At that time, then Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda barked at METI Vice Minister Shuji Sugiyama and had Takagi released. As seen in this incident, the Koizumi administration viewed Ishiguro as a core person in the forces of resistance. In the slush-money scandal involving METI in the summer of last year, Ishiguro reportedly took the lead in covering up the facts by making some ministry officials scapegoats, although it was an organized crime. (7) War of nerves to contain BSE five years after discovery of first infection case; Survey found two infection peaks: Is the second peak the last? ASAHI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) September 10, 2006 Sept. 10 marks the fifth year since the discovery of the first BSE case in Japan. To date, seven BSE-infected cows have been discovered this year, but no panic occurred. The analyses of the 28 head of cattle identified thus far as having been infected with BSE revealed that there have been two infection peaks, centered in Hokkaido. Concerned organizations are on edge about preventing BSE infection from further spreading. Two peaks identified in 28 BSE-infection cases On August 11, the 28th BSE-infection case was identified in Hokkaido. Hokkaido's survey team tracked down the cattle raised in the same environment as the infected one until it turned 12 months - a period when cattle are prone to BSE infection. It was found through birth and sales records that 16 other cattle were raised together with the one in question. They were all incinerated. Disposal of BSE-suspected cattle continued on a scale of several dozen following the discovery of the first BSE-infection case. However, the impact of BSE infection has been limited since the introduction of a traceability system and the narrowing down of cattle subject to disposal. An official in Hokkaido noted, "Though BSE-preventive efforts have become more efficient, we still had to dispatch a team of helpers, as there were not a sufficient number of local staffers." Each time a BSE-infected cow has been found, a patient survey, including investigations into the origin of feed - Italian-produced meat-and-bone meal or Dutch-made animal fat - has been carried out. TOKYO 00005209 007 OF 008 Several infection sources were suspected, but surveyors came across infection cases involving cattle that never had contact with such sources. Since it takes six to seven years on average to determine whether the cattle were infected with BSE, it is difficult to specify the causes of the infection. Even so, the investigations have managed to detect the nature of the spread of infection in Japan. The periods when infected cattle were born can generally be narrowed down into two groups - one from the end of 1995 through the summer of 1996 and the other from the summer of 1999 through the fall of ¶2000. The birthplaces were concentrated in Hokkaido. Many experts assume that cows infected in the first peak period around 1999 were made into meat-and-bone meal to be eaten by other cattle, leading to the second peak of infection. Is the second peak the last? Meat-and-bone meal was totally banned in 2001. Since then there have been no other infection cases, excepting two, which were born shortly after the ban was introduced. A tense atmosphere enveloped the government this April. A cow born in 2004 tested positive in the first examination. Looking back on the incident, a source close to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) noted, "We hoped that it was some kind of mistake." Fortunately, a closer examination found that it was negative. Otherwise, MAFF would have been forced to drastically revise domestic BSE-preventive measures. Yasuhiro Yoshikawa, chairman of the Food Safety Commission Prion Experts Council and a professor at Tokyo University, said, "We may see about 20 infected animals over the next few years. However, the thorough application of the regulations will further reduce the possibility of infection." Survey continues to examine whether two young cows that once tested positive really had BSE Of the 28 BSE-infected cattle, one aged 21 months and one aged 23 months are exceptionally young in comparison with infection cases seen elsewhere in the world. In talks with the US to remove the second embargo, the government limited cows eligible for imports to those aged up to 20 months because of these two cases. However, there continues to be debate as to whether they were really infected with BSE. US Secretary of Agriculture Johanns has been calling for Japan to raise the age of cattle eligible for exports to up to 30 months since the decision in July to resume beef trade, noting, "We want to export beef based on international guidelines." According to the World Organization for Animal Health's (OIE) guidelines, boneless meat from cattle aged up to 30 months is safe. The reason is that the accumulation of BSE-causing agents in young cattle is so small that it is difficult to detect infection through inspection, meaning that there is little point in restricting trade in cattle in this age bracket. Those two cows tested negative in other examinations, with the amount of prions at a level of between 1/500 and 1/1,000 of the TOKYO 00005209 008 OF 008 regular figure. The European Food Safety Authority has reported that the results are unclear. The National Institute of Animal Health has injected fluid extracted from the medulla oblongata of these cows into two special mice to see whether the disease is transmittable. Transmission usually takes more than 200 days, but no infection has been detected in the two mice even two years since the injection of the fluid. It is believed that it will take two more years to obtain a final result. Close attention is being paid to the outcome of the test. (8) "Ozawa vision" aims at winning over conservative vote; Minshuto putting up front the issue of correcting social disparity ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) Evening, September 11, 2006 This newspaper has obtained a copy of the set of basic principles and policies that Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa has compiled for the party's leadership election. Ozawa calls for ending the "politics of agitation" and moving to the "politics of common sense." He wants the party to place at the forefront of its agenda the correction of social disparity, including the expanding of compulsory education, enriching social welfare, and providing farmers with income compensation. In addition, on the national security front, the use of the right of self-defense would be limited solely to defending the homeland (senshu-boei). In foreign policy, he clearly calls for "self-reflection regarding the past war," and proposes "coexistence" among countries. The contents have a strong awareness of the pending birth of an ABE administration, and aims at winning over moderate conservative voters to the party's side. Main points of Ozawa's vision: -- Expand mandatory education to cover children from five years of age to high school. -- Establish a "parent allowance" for households in which the parent(s) also reside. -- The use of the consumption tax should be designated for social-welfare purposes only. -- There should be free competition for managerial positions in the public and private sectors, and the lifetime employment system should be applied in principle to non-managerial occupations. -- For basic agricultural products, introduce a system of specific (household specific) income compensation. -- Subsidies should be transferred in lump sums as a self-sufficiency resource. Local towns and villages should be integrated into a basic local government entity encompassing about three hundred or so such communities. -- The use of the right of self-defense should be limited solely to the defense of the homeland. SCHIEFFER