JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/11/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 005884 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/11/06 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule North Korea nuclear fallout: 4) Kyodo poll: 83% support additional sanctions against North Korea for nuclear caper; 90% see test as "threat" 5) Asahi poll: 44% feel strong threat from North Korea, but 62% prefer "dialogue" over "sanctions" 6) China, angry at North Korea, to go along with UNSC sanctions, worried also about proliferation also in Middle East, among terrorists 7) Ruling and opposition camps in Diet unanimous in condemning North Korea for nuclear test 8) Text of Diet resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear testing 9) - Government mulling complete ban of all North Korean ships entering Japanese ports 10) Prime Minister Abe tells Diet that Japan will not possess nuclear weapons 11) North Korea nuclear caper was a test of new Abe administration's crisis management capability 12) Senior JDA officer: No other choice for Japan but to cooperate with US to face the North Korea threat 13) Environment Ministry sees no rise in radiation emission after North Korea nuclear test 14) JDA tells Diet that North Korea does not have the capability yet of mounting nuclear warheads on its missiles 15) Coordination starts for visit to Japan by China's President Hu Jintao in Jan. 16) Abe in Diet: What I said about history in the past was my personal opinion 17) New Komeito, parent religious body Soka Gakkai in meeting agree not to allow Japan the use of the right of collective self-defense Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nihon Keizai, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: China implies acceptance of sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear test Akahata: International protests against North Korea's nuclear test; Emergency meeting now going on at UNSC 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: ¶N. Korea's nuclear test: We strongly protest reckless act Mainichi: North Korea turns the world against it Yomiuri: TOKYO 00005884 002 OF 011 ¶N. Korea's nuclear test: A dangerous new nuclear age Nihon Keizai: Force North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons with harsh sanctions Sankei: ¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Now is not the time to let this stand Tokyo Shimbun: ¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Challenge to peace and stability Akahata: ¶N. Korea's nuclear test: Unified response by international community essential 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, October 9 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) October 11, 2006 Morning Left the Diao Yu Guest House in Beijing. Left Beijing Airport by government plane. Arrived in Seoul, South Korea. Laid a wreath at the national cemetery. Noon Luncheon at the prime minister's residence hosted by Prime Minister Han Myeong Sook Afternoon Met with President Roh Moo Hyun at the Blue House. Evening Press conference with Japanese and foreign reporters. Dinner meeting at the Blue House hosted by Roh Moo Hyun. Telephone conference with US President Bush at the Japanese Embassy. Left Seoul by government plane. 22:32 Arrived at Haneda Airport. 23:08 Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Shimomura, Suzuki, and Matoba, and special advisors to SIPDIS the prime minister Koike and Seko. October 10 0:00 Arrived at private residence in Tomigaya 09:01 Cabinet meeting in the Diet. Foreign Minister Aso remains. Then met with State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota. Shiozaki was present. Then met with State Minister for Innovation Takaichi. 9:56 Entered his name in the register book to report his return home at the Imperial Palace. TOKYO 00005884 003 OF 011 10:12 Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. 11:48 Met with Shimomura and Suzuki. 13:00 Lower House Budget Committee meeting. 17:22 Lower House plenary session. 17:51 Met with Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. 19:37 Dined with his secretary at a Chinese restaurant at Akasaka Prince Hotel. 22:06 Arrived at private residence in Tomigaya. 4) Poll: 83% support additional sanctions TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Abridged) October 11, 2006 In the wake of North Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test on Oct. 9, Kyodo News Service conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion survey. In the survey, respondents were asked if Japan should toughen its economic sanctions against North Korea. In response to this question, total of 83.4% answered "yes," with 13.1% saying "no." In a previous survey taken right after North Korea fired ballistic missile in July, "yes" accounted for 80.7%. Even compared with this figure, the proportion of "yes" answers in the latest survey was high. This shows that the public wants the government to take strong countermeasures against North Korea. When asked if they felt a threat from North Korea's underground nuclear test, a total of 92.0% answered "yes," broken down into 55.9% saying "greatly" and 36.1% "somewhat." As seen from these figures, the general public was seriously taking the situation. In an earlier survey taken in January 2003 right after North Korea's declaration of its breakaway from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, "yes" accounted for a total of 88.4%. The proportion of "yes" answers in the latest time has increased from that figure. Meanwhile, 5.6% said "not very much," with 2.2% saying "not at all." Talks between Japan and North Korea to normalize diplomatic relations have been stalled since the Koizumi cabinet came into office. When asked if Japan should hurry to normalize its diplomatic relations with North Korea, negative answers outnumbered affirmative ones, with 36.6% saying "yes" and 25.7% "no." Polling methodology: The survey was conducted Oct. 10 on a random digit-dialing (RDD) basis. Among those randomly generated telephone numbers, those actually for household use with one or more eligible voters totaled 873. Answers were obtained from 603 persons. TOKYO 00005884 004 OF 011 5) Poll: 62% want sanctions over dialogue ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) October 11, 2006 In the wake of Japan's recent summit talks with China and South Korea and North Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based spot nationwide public opinion survey. In the survey, respondents were asked if they strongly felt a threat from North Korea due to its nuclear test. In response to this question, 44% answered "yes." The figure topped the 38% in a previous survey taken after North Korea's firing of missiles in July. When asked if the international community should weigh sanctions against North Korea rather than pursue dialogue with that country, "yes" accounted for 62%. Meanwhile, 83% gave high marks to the Japan-China and Japan-South Korea summit talks. The rate of public support for the Abe cabinet was 63%, leveling off from the last time. This time, respondents were again asked if they felt a threat from North Korea. In response, 44% said "strongly," with 38% saying "somewhat." In this July's survey after North Korea's firing of missiles into the Sea of Japan, "strongly" accounted for 38% and "somewhat" 39%. As seen from these figures, there was an increase to a certain extent in the public awareness of a threat from North Korea. The United Nations Security Council is now beginning to discuss a sanctions resolution. In the survey, respondents were asked if the international community should weigh dialogue or should otherwise weigh sanctions. In response, 62% chose "sanctions," with 26% preferring "dialogue." Among men, "sanctions" accounted for 66%. This figure topped 59% among women. In the recent summit talks with China and South Korea, China called for Prime Minister Abe to resolve the history issue, and Abe stated that he would not say whether he would visit Yasukuni Shrine or not. Instead, Abe answered that he would like to deal with the problem in an "appropriate" manner. In the survey, respondents were asked if they supported that response, with 52% saying "yes" and 33% "no." Among those supporting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the proportion of "yes" answers topped 60%. Even among those with no particular party affiliation, the proportion was nearly 50%. However, it was a little over 30% among those supporting the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) and 20% among those supporting the New Komeito party, an LDP-allied coalition party. Asked if the recent visits of Abe to China and South Korea would improve Japan's diplomatic relations with these two neighbors, 57% answered "yes" with China and 56% also "yes" with South Korea. In the breakdown of these two figures, the proportion of men topped that of women. The rate of public support for the Abe cabinet was 63%. To the question of asking if Abe is a prime minister with ability, however, "yes" accounted for only 18%, with 56% saying he is falling behind in his popularity. The approval rating for former Prime Minister Koizumi and his cabinet was 78% right after coming into office, and it increased to 84% in a survey taken a month later. In that survey, 37% saw Koizumi as a prime minister of ability, with 47% saying he was falling behind in his popularity. TOKYO 00005884 005 OF 011 In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP stood at 42%, with the DPJ marking 14%. 6) China open to sanctions against North Korea; UNSC discussion focused mainly on nuclear blast TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Excerpts) October 11, 2006 Yasunori Ishikawa, New York The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) yesterday morning (last night, Japan time) began discussing the draft resolution presented by Japan and the United States for imposing sanctions on North Korea. Asked later in the day by reporters about the draft resolution, which includes harsh measures like a total ban on imports from North Korea, a freeze on financial assets, and inspections of ships, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guanya revealed China would accept some sanctions, telling reporters: "Punitive measures are necessary, but they must be appropriate." In the UNSC, working-level discussions, as well as consultations among ambassadors from the permanent UNSC member nations plus Japan, were restarted. Ambassador Wang, asked yesterday by a Tokyo Shimbun reporter, stated China could not accept the draft resolution sponsored by Japan and the US without modification, noting: "Appropriate sanctions mean that sanctions should be limited to the nuclear test and missile launches." North Korea cleverly uses the international community's acquiescence to nuclear deterrent; Fear of proliferation of nuclear weapons into Middle East, terrorists Analysis Yuji Yamamoto, Seoul Following its announcement that it conducted a nuclear test, North Korea has now joined the ranks of the nuclear powers. This development has become a matter of fresh concern about proliferation of nuclear weapons and related materials. Pakistan, which has ethnic and religious divisions with India, conducted a nuclear test in defiance of international objections. Israel, which has fought four wars with Arab nations, has allegedly armed itself with nuclear weapons. The international community appears to have acquiesced to nuclear deterrence in the belief that in order to prevent a new regional dispute from taking place, possession of nuclear weapons is unavoidable. Cleverly using this international community's attitude, Pyongyang had proclaimed: "We are under America's nuclear threat. In order to defend our own security, we will pursue nuclear development." It has now proclaimed it conducted a nuclear test. The international community fears that Iran, which is going ahead with uranium enrichment, and North Korea will join hands. If that happens, a new source of trouble will emerge in the Middle East. In addition, should nuclear technology be transferred to an international terrorist group, a second or third terrorist attack could be brought about. TOKYO 00005884 006 OF 011 Northeast Asia has now become even more volatile. Under the six-party framework, Japan, the US, China, South Korea, and Russia offered plans to help North Korea rebuild its economy in return for giving up its nuclear programs, but it has now become impossible to resume the six-party talks because of the North's announcement of its nuclear test. The five countries share the view that they will be hard on North Korea, but when it comes to sanctions, their responses differ. China and South Korea are unlikely to cut off all aid to the North out of fear of an outflow of refugees from that country. 7) Ruling, opposition parties unanimously condemn North Korea; Word "sanctions" not included in Lower House resolution YOMIURI (Page 4) (Slightly Abridged) October 11, 2006 Following North Korea's announcement that it conducted an underground nuclear test, ruling and opposition parties yesterday criticized that nation and called on the government to make a resolute response. However, the word "sanctions" was left out from a Lower House resolution condemning the North, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) insisting that military sanctions should not be included, though the draft readied by the opposition parties included a mention. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday afternoon held a meeting of the North Korea Nuclear Test Countermeasures Headquarters (NKNTCH),chaired by Secretary General Nakagawa, at the party headquarters. Nakagawa during the meeting slammed Pyongyang, "If a nuclear test was actually carried out, it is a challenge and threat that is unacceptable for peace in the international community and Japan." Former Deputy LDP President Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the security research council of the NKNTCH, released a statement saying, "Japan should seek self-reflection, an apology, and a nuclear policy change from the North in cooperation with the international community." A number of LDP members called on the government to take stern measures, with former Foreign Minister Machimura noting, "The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must make a harsh decision based on the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter," and former Foreign Minister Komura saying, "Japan should consider adopting further sanctions, such as financial sanctions and restrictions on the movements of goods." The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) yesterday evening also held a meeting of its North Korea Nuclear Test Countermeasures Headquarters, chaired by deputy head Kan, in the Diet. Kan underscored the need for the ruling and opposition parties to deal with this issue in concert. He noted: "Our nation is indeed at a crisis. We want to make every possible effort to tackle this issue in order to prevent the North from making itself a nuclear state. Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chairperson Shii also criticized Pyongyang: "North Korea has defied the unanimous will of the international community. It should be criticized harshly." SDP Chairman Fukushima also told reporters, "The SDP is absolutely against nuclear testing. We strongly protest the nuclear test by the North." 8) Gist of Lower House resolution condemning North Korea TOKYO 00005884 007 OF 011 YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) October 11, 2006 The following is the gist of a resolution protesting the nuclear test by North Korea and demanding it abandon all its nuclear weapons and programs: There is no room for North Korea to justify the nuclear test it carried out this time, whatever reasons it might cite. Our country cannot accept such a reckless, outrageous act. The Lower House is against nuclear testing by any country in light of the fact that Japan is the only country that experienced nuclear bombings, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We lodge a stern protest against the nuclear test carried out by North Korea. We also strongly call on it to abandon all its nuclear weapons and programs. The government should convey our country's resolute determination to North Korea and urge it to return to the six-party talks at an early date without preconditions and abandon all its nuclear weapons and programs. It should also carry out diplomacy, making a united front with the international community, including measures based on the United Nation Charter's Chapter 7 in cooperation with concerned countries, and search for a peaceful settlement. 9) Government considering additional sanctions, including total ban on port calls by North Korean vessels MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) October 11, 2006 Following North Korea's announcement that it carried out a nuclear test, the Japanese government is considering as a main feature of its own sanctions adopting a total ban on port calls by North Korean vessels in compliance with the Law Banning Port Calls by Specified Vessels. It is also mulling extensively increasing organizations and individuals subject to financial sanctions, now imposed on 15 organizations, including a North Korea trading house, and one individual. It also wants to restrict imports of agricultural products and ban entry of personnel into Japan with the exception of North Korean government officials. However, the government plans to implement these measures along with the international community, apart from sanctions it plans to implement independently. When the North test-fired ballistic missiles this July, the government banned port calls by the cargo-passenger ship Man Gyong Bong for six months. However, some say that since other cargo ships continue to make port calls, the efficacy of such a measure has been limited. For this reason, the government intends to extend the ban on port calls by the Man Gyong Bong, as well as to target other vessels so as to ensure the efficacy of the measure. The government is also considering banning port calls by vessels of third countries that come via North Korean ports. However, whether it will invoke such a measure is now an open question because of such factors as relations with China. 10) Prime Minister Abe: Japan will not possess nuclear weapons; Lower House passes resolution condemning North Korea TOKYO 00005884 008 OF 011 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full) October 11, 2006 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe clearly stated yesterday at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting: "Possessing nuclear weapons is not an option for Japan. I want to make sure that there will be no change in the three nonnuclear principles." Abe was replying to a question by Junji Higashi, vice representative of the New Komeito, as to whether the idea going nuclear might surface in Japan in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test. The United States and other countries are now concerned that Japan might choose to arm itself with nuclear weapons if the security environment of East Asia changes from the North's nuclear test. Abe appears to have made the reply to erase such international concern. The Lower House unanimously adopted at its plenary session yesterday a resolution condemning North Korea's nuclear test, demanding that it immediately abandon all weapons and its nuclear arms program. The resolution says that Japan absolutely cannot tolerate a reckless outrage. It calls on the Japanese government to aim for a peaceful settlement, including sanctions on the North. Abe then stated: "Following the resolution, our country will take stricter measures after determining the facts." He stressed that Japan would do its utmost in cooperation with other nations to have the United Nations Security Council adopt a harsh resolution. The House of Councillors is expected to adopt a similar resolution at its plenary session today. 11) North Korea's nuclear explosion a test of the crisis-management capability of new Abe administration; Careful preparations and swift initial response, but weakness in ability to gather intelligence NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpt) October 11, 2006 With North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test, the crisis management capability of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been immediately been put to the test soon after its inauguration. The emergency situation occurred while the Prime Minister was in the midst of official visits to China and South Korea, but starting with the announcement by North Korea on Oct. 3 that it would be making a nuclear test, simulations of response measures were carefully made under the lead of the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei),so the first reaction (when the test occurred) was swift. On the other hand, the weakness of the Japanese government's ability to collect intelligence on its own, such as whether to confirm that a test actually had taken place, was again exposed. 12) North Korea's N-test could lead to contingency for Japan: Senior JDA officer: Japan has no other choice but to follow US TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 30) (Full) October 11, 2006 Following North Korea's announcement that it conducted an underground nuclear test, senior members of the Defense Agency and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are apprehensive, with one saying: "Should North Korea already possess nuclear weapons, it would be a serious threat to the world's security." Another officer said: "The TOKYO 00005884 009 OF 011 nuclear test might lead to a contingency for Japan." The weight of the plutonium-type atomic bomb that the United States dropped on Nagasaki was about four tons. Although it is impossible to load such a heavy bomb on the ballistic missiles possessed by North Korea, there are other transport means available. A senior SDF member commented: "A senior US military officer told me that it would be possible for the North to transport such nuclear weapons by private aircraft or fishing boats in preparation for using them. The US, which dropped atomic bombs on Japan using a B-29 bomber, should fully understand the logic of the side that uses nuclear weapons, so its sense of alarm must be strong." In a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Oct. 9, Japan and the US presented a draft resolution calling for stricter sanctions against North Korea, including the inspection of ships coming in and from North Korea. However, the act of ordering ships navigating on the high seas to stop for inspection is viewed as illegal, so a revision of the Law of the Sea would become necessary. The SDF is allowed to voluntarily inspect ships only when the situation is recognized as an emergency in areas surrounding Japan on the basis of the Law on Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan enacted in 1999 in view of cooperation between Japan and the US. Even if the situation is recognized as an emergency, though, it will be necessary to obtain approval from the country to which the vessel in question belongs. Given this, many observers believe the ship-inspection measure will be ineffective. In the case of offering rear-area support, like the ongoing fueling services in the Indian Ocean based on the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, as well, invoking the Law on Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan is imperative. In addition, a revision of the said law will become necessary if the SDF provides assistance to naval vessels other than those of the US military. Even if the US carries out ship inspections, it would be questionable if the situation comes under the category of "a situation that may lead to a military strike directly on Japan if the situation is left unheeded," a condition for Japan to invoke the law. A senior official said: "If there is no combat, obtaining an OK will be difficult. Preparing new legislation would be faster." Another senior SDF member categorically said, "Japan will have no option but to follow the US lead." This official laid out a worst-case scenario: "(If Japan takes military action in line with the US,) North Korea might launch a ballistic missile against Japan. The North would then begin an attack on Japan using special forces, and a huge number of refugees could eventually flow into the nation. Such a situation would indisputably be a contingency for Japan, and the people would be need to be prepared for this." 13) No change in radiation levels across nation MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) October 11, 2006 TOKYO 00005884 010 OF 011 There was no change in the amount of atmospheric radiation measured across the nation as compared with that before North Korea's proclamation of its recent nuclear test, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced yesterday. In addition, no radioactive substances were detected from dust gathered by Air Self-Defense Force aircraft at an altitude of 3 km in the skies over Hokkaido, Kyushu, and other regions on the evening of Oct. 9. The government, in a meeting of its radiation countermeasures liaison council yesterday afternoon, confirmed that it would continue its intensive measurements for about 7-10 days in order to monitor effects on public health and the environment. Radiation levels were measured across the nation by the governments of all prefectures and by the Environment Ministry at its 12 facilities. In addition, the Japan Chemical Analysis Center in Chiba City also measured radiation. They compared their respective readouts during the 24 hours from 9 a.m., Oct. 8, before North Korea's proclamation of its nuclear test, with those during the 24 hours from 9 a.m., Oct. 9. 14) JDA director general: North Korea has yet to develop technology to load nuclear warhead onto missiles MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) October 11, 2006 In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee yesterday, Defense Agency Director General Fumio Kyuma took a negative view about the possibility that North Korea has the technology necessary to load a nuclear warhead onto its ballistic missiles. He said: "In order to reduce the size (of a nuclear warhead enough to be loaded onto a missile),a considerable level of technology is necessary. At the present stage, we have not received any intelligence indicating that (North Korea) has already achieved the skills necessary for that." Kyuma was replying to a question by Social Democratic Party member Nobuto Hosaka. 15) Coordination underway for visit to Japan by Chinese President Hu in January YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) October 11, 2006 The expectation is that the governments of Japan and China will start coordination on a plan for separate visits to Japan by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao next January, several government sources revealed yesterday. During his meeting with President Hu on Oct. 8, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited the two Chinese leaders to visit Japan as early as possible. Both Hu and Wen reportedly are positive about accepting the offer. It would be the first time for a Chinese president to visit Japan since then President Jiang Zemin came to Japan in 1998. 16) Prime Minister Abe: My past remarks on history "personal views" ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) TOKYO 00005884 011 OF 011 October 11, 2006 In reply to a question about his past remarks on his historical perception of the war, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated in a formal document adopted by his cabinet yesterday that the government is not in a position to respond to the question. He did not clarify his views besides his announcement that he would follow the 1995 Murayama Statement. Social Democratic Party House of Representatives member Kiyomi Tsujimoto posed the question. Citing Abe's past remarks carried in SIPDIS magazines that the postwar history textbooks have taught a masochistic view of history, Tsujimoto questioned him in a strong tone, arguing: "You said that politicians should not display their historical views. If so, on what basis you have said that history textbooks are questionable?" Abe in the formal document evaded most questions, saying, "I made remarks as an individual politician." Regarding the issue of prime ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, he responded that the purpose of visiting the shrine is to express respects to those who fought for the nation. The grounds for the response were murky. 17) New Komeito, Soka Gakkai confirm stance of not allowing use of right to collective self-defense NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) October 11, 2006 The Liaison Council of the New Komeito and the Soka Gakkai, a support religious group for the party, held a meeting at party headquarters yesterday, in which the representatives confirmed the stance of not allowing Japan the use of the right to collective self-defense as the government's view of the Constitution. The council met after a hiatus of about one year. Participating in the meeting yesterday were Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Yoshio Urushibara and others from the party, and Vice President Mitsuharu Harada and others from the religious group. A representative from the Soka Gakkai referred to a national referendum bill governing procedures for revising the Constitution and made this request: "Constitutional issues will affect the future of the nation. The government should clarify the points of contention and give a satisfactory explanation in a sincere manner." Some also called for measures to deal with such issues as an increased financial burden on the public and widening social discrepancies. SCHIEFFER