DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/29/06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 006770 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 11/29/06 INDEX: (1) DPRK "hunted for medicines," such as epidemic disease vaccines, procured them in Japan (2) Readmission issue casts shadow over ABE administration; Reform-oriented image damaged; Voter assessments shifting (3) Editorial: Voters not convinced by LDP decision to reinstate postal rebels (4) NATO to expand cooperative framework by including Japan, South Korea, Australia (5) Editorial: Nakaima must deliver on his Futenma pledge (6) Nakaima asks for LDP lawmakers' support for realizing his campaign pledges (7) Abe's special advisors seem fearful of appearing before the Diet to answer questions (8) Prime Minister's schedule, Nov. 28 8 ARTICLES: (1) DPRK "hunted for medicines," such as epidemic disease vaccines, procured them in Japan SANKEI (Page 31) (Full) November 29, 2006 A Tokyo-based North Korean-affiliated trading house, which was charged this June by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police with the violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, had exported pharmaceuticals, including vaccines for legally-designated infectious diseases, to some 30 companies in North Korea, including a firm under the direct management of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, customs officials revealed. Of those 30 firms, five are listed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as "firms highly concerned with the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It seems likely that pharmaceuticals were exported for the use of the military and the Korean Workers' Party's (KWP) leadership. Also, it came to light from police investigations that the North Koreans had hunted for massive amounts of medicines in Japan. A number of senior members of the Science and Technology Association of Korean Residents in Japan, a group affiliated with the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryuon),are on the management list of a Tokyo-based North Korean-affiliated company that exported medicines (to some 30 firms in North Korea). Of such 30 firms, five -- Rungra888, Daesong No. 6 Trading Co., Daesong No. 8 Trading Co., Mang Yong Trading Co., and Pyongyang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital -- are designated by METI as firms of concern. Customs officials conducted a follow-up survey of the past export examinations of the North Korean-affiliated trading company in question as well as pharmaceutical wholesalers in Tokyo. As a result, they found that exports had included medicines, such as vaccines for legally-designated epidemic diseases and organic solvents. TOKYO 00006770 002 OF 009 Reportedly, in North Korea, Japanese pharmaceuticals and chemical agents are never distributed or circulated among the general public, but they are available to the ruling class, such as military personnel and members of the KWP. Japanese police authorities are interested in finding out how such a large quantity of medicines and chemical agents exported from Japan were used. According to a South Korean intelligence official, Rungra888 is a dummy company of the chief accounting section in charge of procuring daily necessities, food, and luxury goods for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. In doing foreign trade, that section identifies itself as Rungra888. According to the information Japanese police authorities have received so far, abductee Megumi Yokota's former husband, Kim Young Nam belongs to that company, and another abductee Kyoto Matsumoto, who was kidnapped at the age of 29, worked at that company. Daesong No. 6 and Daesong No. 8 Trading Companies are affiliated with the Daesong Group, which is under the wing of the 39 office (financial and accounting section) tasked with managing secret money for Kim Jong Il. In 2001, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's (TMPD) Public Safety Bureau and police authorities revealed that a firm affiliated with this group was financially involved in the case of the illegal export of a used fishing boat to North Korea. Suspect Kim Se Ho, who is now on an international wanted list as the kidnapper of Hiroshi Kume, 52, when kidnapped, identified himself as an employee of a firm affiliated with the Daeson Trading Co. when he entered Japan. In the recently exposed case of the transfer of intravenous (IV) solution bags without authorization from a doctor living in Tokyo to the wife of a senior member of the Science and Technology Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the suspicion emerged at one point that that wife might have been instructed to smuggle massive medicines from Japan into the North, but now, with the discovery that a large volume of pharmaceuticals were transferred to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il-affiliated firms and others, the suspicion that the North Koreans, at the order of the state, hunted for pharmaceuticals has rather increased. As part of the investigation into the case of the transfer of IV solution bags from a doctor to the wife of a senior member of the association, TMPD's Public Safety Bureau yesterday raided Fuji Unyu in Niigata City, a transportation firm that served as a ship agent for the North Korean cargo-passenger ship Man Gyong Bong. (2) Readmission issue casts shadow over ABE administration; Reform-oriented image damaged; Voter assessments shifting NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Abridged) November 29, 2006 Prime Minister SHINZO Abe's decision to allow postal rebels to rejoin the Liberal Democratic Party is casting a shadow on his administration. The matter might undermine Abe's "reform-oriented image," leaving the voters with the impression that he has given in to pressure from within the party to make compromises for the sake of the Upper House election next year. A Nihon Keizai Shimbun poll has indicated that the ABE administration has been losing popularity. There are also signs of change to the trend of the ABE administration, which made a good start just two months ago. TOKYO 00006770 003 OF 009 The LDP Reform Headquarters held a meeting on Nov. 27 in which 26 spoke up. Of them 22, including Hideaki Omura and Yukari Sato, expressed opposition to readmitting the postal rebels to the party, while the remaining four took positive views. At that point, the momentum was gathering to readmit 11 postal rebels to the party. The LDP Upper House leadership, which has played a central role in the readmission debate, is counting on the postal rebels' vote-collecting power. But if voters harbor doubts about the ABE administration's reform posture, the plan might backfire on the party. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted an opinion survey on Nov. 24-26 in which 54% of LDP supporters expressed opposition to the readmission of postal rebels, while 32% favored their readmission. At the same time, 52% of unaffiliated voters opposed their readmission, while 17% supported it. Above all, people in large cities are showing icy reactions to the readmission issue. In the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai region that served as a driving force for the LDP's overwhelming victory in last year's Lower House election, positive answers accounted for 19%, while negative views marked 66%. Voters' views of the ABE administration have changed while the LDP has been engrossed with inward looking debate on whether to take in postal rebels for the sake of the Upper House election or whether to prioritize sentiment over principle. Although the cabinet's support rating is still high at 59%, it has declined 9 points from October. As the reason for not supporting the cabinet, "bad policy" marked 37%, up 9 points from September, and "a lack of eldership" also increased 8 points to 35%. Abe's decision to readmit the postal rebels to the party has overshadowed his diplomatic achievements, including his meetings with the top leaders of the US, China, South Korea, and Russia on the sidelines of the APEC forum earlier this month. Abe's decision reflects his consideration to former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and LDP Upper House Caucus Chairman Mikio Aoki. ABE has also failed to make a clear decision even after the schism within the leadership came to light, leaving the matter entirely to Nakagawa. The approach of searching for common ground behind the scenes between public opinion and the wishes of LDP heavyweights brings back memories of the old LDP, which Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, detested. If ABE again fails to exhibit leadership in budget compilation later this year and tax reform, his administration's posture to carry out reform would be called into question. (3) Editorial: Voters not convinced by LDP decision to reinstate postal rebels NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2006 The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) received requests to rejoin the LDP from 11 of the so-called "postal rebels" who were ousted from the party last year. The ruling party intends to approve the TOKYO 00006770 004 OF 009 reinstatement of 11 out of the 12 lawmakers who were forced out of the party after voting against then Prime Minister Koizumi's postal privatization package. Only Takeo Hiranuma remains adamant about his opposition to postal privatization. Citing the outcome of the general election held last year to seek the people's judgment on postal privatization, we have often asserted that the readmission of postal rebels is unreasonable. It will be difficult for the LDP to obtain understanding for its decision to bring back the postal rebels into the party. LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa set the following conditions for the postal rebels to return to the party: (1) Observe the party's manifesto, including the privatization of postal services; and (2) abide by the party rules and reflect on their antiparty activities. The 11 rebels, excluding Hiranuma, agreed to meet the conditions. We wonder if the voters will be convinced with the LDP's decision The LDP dissolved the Lower House for a snap election last year to seek the people's judgment on whether they were for or against postal privatization. As a result, the LDP scored a landslide victory, winning nearly 300 seats. Only one year after the election, those who cried out against privatization in the election campaign are about to rejoin the LDP. This move might negate the significance of the general election last year. LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shoichi Nakagawa and House of Councillors Secretary General Toranosuke Katayama said, "Compassion is necessary in carrying out politics." Such remarks are quite disgraceful. If politicians give priority to compassion toward their colleagues over party pledges to the voters or the just causes of an election, voters will not be able to find a standard to use in determining for whom they should vote. Such irresponsible statements will only amplify public distrust in politics. In an election under the single-seat constituency system, political parties present to the voters their clear-cut manifestos and seek their judgment of their policies. Lawmakers accordingly are required to take action in line with their manifesto more faithfully than under the multiple-seat constituency system. In the LDP, there are some politicians who are still unable to emerge from the mind-set under the multiple-seat constituency system. The Upper House LDP pressured Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and the LDP executive to reinstate postal rebels into the fold, out of desire to obtain their cooperation in local elections with an eye to the Upper House election next year. According to the latest opinion survey conducted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, nearly 60% of respondents expressed opposition to the reinstatement of rebels. The public support rate for the ABE cabinet dropped 9%age points from the previous survey. These results might indicate that the LDP's forced reinstatement of the postal rebels could place the party at a disadvantage in the Upper House election. Prime Minister ABE should not underestimate the current serious situation. Some might suspect that the ABE administration and the LDP would change or retreat its current reformist policy course. If not, the administration should show the voters a clear message stressing its determination to push ahead with reforms in the course of compiling the budget for next fiscal year. (4) NATO to expand cooperative framework by including Japan, South Korea, Australia TOKYO 00006770 005 OF 009 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 8) (Slightly abridged) November 28, 2006 In its summit meeting starting on Nov. 28, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will designate Japan, South Korea, and Australia as its new "partners." The aim is to promote cooperation and information exchanges in the Asian region. NATO is also willing to prepare a setup to deal with several small-scale operations, like counterterrorist activities, in the place of large-scale war assumed during the Cold-War period. But some NATO members are calling for caution about its expansion approach. In the summit in Latvia, United States President Bush will propose the expanded cooperation plan. In an effort to explore a new role for NATO in the post-Cold War period, the US and Britain are calling for a plan to use NATO a means to ensure global security. NATO has so far designated Middle Eastern countries as its partners, but it will add as its new partners Asian-Pacific countries that share democratic values. On the Eurasia continent, China, Russian, and Central Asian countries are pushing ahead with a scheme to cooperate in ensuring security under the framework called "Shanghai cooperation organization." Under an expanded cooperative framework by joining hands with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, NATO expects that monitoring such moves will become possible. NATO aims to establish a cooperative relationship with Japan in offering reconstruction assistance in areas affected by natural disasters or conflict. NATO is eager to strengthen ties through enhanced political dialogue on the situation in East Asia and joint military training, with the ultimate goal of strengthening interoperability. This May, Foreign Minister Taro Aso visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels and expressed Japan's willingness to deepen cooperation with NATO. In the summit in Latvia, NATO will review the current guidelines for an operation scheme. It anticipates that terrorism, weapons of mass destructions, and attacks on information and telecommunications networks will constitute a major threat to security in the next dozen years or so. Based on this view, NATO will shift policy priority from large-scale operations, like a war, to small-scale disputes that could take place simultaneously. NATO is preparing to establish a system to enable operations in areas outside the North Atlantic region. Some member countries, including France, however, are negative about the expansion approach, asserting that NATO's role should be limited to ensuring security in the region. Negotiations among member countries may become stormy. (5) Editorial: Nakaima must deliver on his Futenma pledge RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 5) (Full) November 29, 2006 In a press conference after the cabinet meeting yesterday, Defense Agency Director-General Fumio Kyuma rejected a request of Okinawa governor-elect Hirokazu Nakaima, who has pledged to close down Futenma Air Station in three years. Kyuma said, "Such is effectively impossible." TOKYO 00006770 006 OF 009 Closing down the Futenma airfield in three years is one of Nakaima's campaign pledges. Nakaima's pledge was turned down by the defense chief ahead of the governor-elect's assumption of office on Dec. ¶10. During his election campaigning, Nakaima said: "In order to eliminate the dangerous nature of Futenma Air Station, I will study all possible means, including the option of building a temporary heliport on Camp Schwab. I will also promise you that Futenma Air Station will cease to function and be closed down in three years." Winning the race on that pledge, Nakaima must take all available steps to have the US military close down the Futenma airfield. Nakaima is not allowed to withdraw his pledge just because a cabinet minister rejected it. In the press conference, Kyuma emphatically said: "Futenma Air Station is in now use by the US military, so it cannot just be closed down. I will tell Mr. Nakaima about that. Japan does not have the option of shutting down a base that is in use by the US military." Nakaima, who now represents the Okinawa public, must not back down in the wake of the defense chief's rejection. He needs to show his mettle to convince the defense chief by spelling out the need to quickly remove that danger. The Japan-US final report on the realignment of US forces in Japan aims to build a Futenma alternative facility on Camp Schwab in Nago City by 2014. It also reads: "The relocation will be implemented when the facility becomes totally functional." Even if the bilateral agreement is implemented smoothly, the dangers associated with Futenma Air Station would persist for the next eight years. There is no guarantee that another helicopter will not crash into a residential area during that period. An accident could turn into a catastrophe. Removing the dangerous nature of Futenma Air Station is the most important and urgent task for ensuring the safety of Okinawa residents. That is why Nakaima called for its closure in three years. To the local residents, who are being forced to live with the base, the logic of the defense chief, who flatly rejected Nakaima's request, is totally unacceptable. The government must turn a serious ear to Okinawa's call for shutting down Futenma Air Station and study ways to have the US military halt its functions there. (6) Nakaima asks for LDP lawmakers' support for realizing his campaign pledges OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) November 29, 2006 TOKYO - Okinawa governor-elect Hirokazu Nakaima, calling on influential Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and cabinet ministers TOKYO 00006770 007 OF 009 in succession yesterday, asked for the government and the ruling coalition's support for realizing his campaign pledges, while expressing his gratitude for their assistance during election campaigning. Nakaima also affirmed that he would uphold dialogue with the government to attend the next meeting of the consultative council to discuss the relocation of Futenma Air Station between the government and affected municipalities. Nakaima met yesterday afternoon with LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, former LDP Vice President and Okinawa Promotion Council Chairman Taku Yamasaki, Okinawa Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi, and others. Nakaima said, "In order to realize many public pledges, I need the ruling bloc's assistance." In response, Yamasaki said: "Our party will firmly support you so that you can realize your public pledges 120%. We would like to see your plan take shape in the next four years (the first term) regarding the realignment of US forces in Japan. You should meet with the defense chief in order to resume talks (with the government)." In response, Nakaima said, "I will discuss matters (with him) fully." After the meeting, Yamasaki told reporters: "(As the chair of the Okinawa Promotion Committee),I have responsibility for the implementation of Mr. Nakaima's pledges. We intend to continue the economic package for the northern part, as well." Secretary General Nakagawa congratulated Nakaima for his victory in SIPDIS the gubernatorial race, and he urged him not just to "succeed" to the policies of the Inamine administration but to make them lead to "development" of the prefecture. In the session with Takaichi, Nakaima agreed to step up efforts to reduce unemployment by promoting information technology and other means. Nakaima also appears to have confirmed his intention to continue the dialogue with the government by an early meeting of the Futenma council. (7) Abe's special advisors seem fearful of appearing before the Diet to answer questions TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) November 27, 2006 Miyuki Ando The five prime ministerial special advisors, who have until recently drawn much attention as a driving force in the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei),are beginning to put restraints on their activities. They are doing so because if they play a role that is not specified in the roles of advisor specified under the Cabinet Law, they may be required to answer questions in the Diet. They were initially expected to make wide-ranging activities not influenced by authorities and the role-sharing factors, but this initial image is changing. Take a look at the recent moves of the five special advisors. One is Yuriko Koike, special advisor on national security. She is fretting about how to push discussions at the Council to Strengthen the Kantei Functions in Area of National Security, a panel set up in preparation for the establishment of a Japanese version of the National Security Council (NSC). Koike serves as acting chair of the TOKYO 00006770 008 OF 009 panel. Takumi Nemoto, special advisor on the economy and finances, devotes his energies to the Asia Gateway Strategic Council. Hiroshige Seko, special advisor on public relations, at first intended to hold a regular press conference for the government, but he now tackles overseas public relations activities instead. Eriko Yamatani, special advisor on revitalization of education, serves as chief of the Secretariat for the Council on Revitalization of Education, and Special Advisor on the Abduction Issue Kyoko Nakayama, too, serves as chief of the Secretariat for the Abduction Issue Headquarters. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki at a press conference on Nov. 17 praised the way the special advisors are doing their jobs: "There was some concern about their activities at first, but now a system for them to address priority policy lines set by the prime minister has been forged." Although the roles played by the special advisors have now been made clear, they are restricted like state ministers to a particular field, leaving the impression that their roles are not as wide-ranging as initially expected. A primary reason why the special advisors have limited their roles is apparently because of the opposition parties' calls on them to take the floor in the Diet to answer questions. The government has rejected such requests, however, defining the roles of special advisors as "giving advice to the prime minister but not being in a position to speak (before the Diet),representing the cabinet," as Shiozaki commented. However, the opposition parties are trying to come up with ways to somehow force special advisors to appear before the Diet as "government witnesses," as specified in the Upper and Lower House Rules. Government witnesses, however, are usually supposed to be chosen from the bureaucracy, so no politician has ever appeared as such a witness. However, under the argument that the special advisors are deeply engaged in the government's policy-decision process, they could be summoned to the Diet. On that question, discussions are underway at the Lower House steering committee to reach a final judgment. The special advisors think that because they are not bound by the Diet, they can feel at ease in working for the Kantei. Not wanting to be summoned to the Diet, they may be narrowing down the range of their activities simply for that reason. If so, they could be criticized as putting the cart before the horse. (8) Prime Minister's schedule, Nov. 28 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) November 29, 2006 08:33 Attended a cabinet meeting in Diet. Agriculture Minister Matsuoka remained. After he left, met with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Fuyushiba and later State Minister in Charge of Administrative Reform Sata. 09:01 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura at Kantei. TOKYO 00006770 009 OF 009 10:16 Attended a Lower House General Affairs Committee meeting. 12:26 Arrived at Kantei. 14:56 Met with Finance Minister Omi. 15:20 Met with former Ambassador to Thailand Hisahiko Okazaki. 16:03 Met with Japan Junior Chamber Chairman Yoshitaka Ikeda. Later, met with State Minister in Charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota, joined by Deputy Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka and others. 17:28 Photo shoot with Indonesian President Yudhoyono and later held summit talks with the president. 18:33 Attended a signing ceremony for a Japan-Indonesia joint statement and a joint press conference. 19:17 Photo shoot with his wife Akie and President Yudhoyono and his wife. Later, host a dinner party for the president and his wife. SCHIEFFER