JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/30/07

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/30/07 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule Beef: 4) Ambassador Schieffer promotes US beef at Seiyu outlet 5) Vice agricultural minister balks at possibility of beef being discussed at upcoming US-Japan summit meeting Wartime issues: 6) Prime Minister ABE sees limited government involvement in Yasukuni Shrine decisions on enshrinements and not a problem of church-state separation 7) ABE denies state took lead in Yasukuni enshrinements of war dead, despite documents showing otherwise 8) Yasukuni: Not the shrine's decision to enshrine the owner of a comfort station in Indonesia 9) Health, labor ministry denies released Yasukuni enshrinement records show violation of constitutional principle of separation of state and religion 10) Documents showing health, welfare ministry involvement in Yasukuni Shrine enshrinement of war criminals sets off political clamor 11) Government trying to calm heated debate over significance of released documents showing government involvement with enshrinements at Yasukuni 12) House Speaker Yohei Kono blasts those who would revise his 1993 statement on the comfort-women issue 13) Government stresses no change in its tough North Korea policy, prioritizing abductions and retaining Japan's own sanctions 14) Meeting between Japanese, Chinese experts next week on joint approach to E. China Sea gas-field development Defense issues: 15) Defense minister wants easing of three principles of weapons export to allow Japan to join US, Europe MD-related joint development 16) Kanagawa police discover MSDF sailor took home radar data 17) ABE panel proposes that "morality" be placed higher on school curriculum than other subjects for study Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Proposal for upgrading morality to academic subject: Likely to be graded; Textbooks to undergo screening; Education Revitalization Council to discuss issue Mainichi: 10% of condominiums built since 2001 suspected of lacking earthquake resistance, according to nationwide survey of 400 condos by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry Yomiuri: Social Insurance Agency fails to pay out proper pension benefits to 220,000 persons over past six years; Premium payment record overlooked TOKYO 00001391 002 OF 012 Nihon Keizai: Postal reform: 40% of special post offices refuse purchase offers; Japan Post to hike rent Sankei: Earthquake resistance work at public elementary and middle schools slows: 30% fail to pass standards in survey by MEXT; 13% have yet to undergo examination Tokyo Shimbun: Evacuees need to be careful about taking sleeping medication: 70% of recipients suffer from swelling, blocked blood vessels, according to survey carried out on victims of Chuetsu Earthquake in 2004 Akahata: Wartime comfort women issue: Prime minister should withdraw his statement before offering apologies 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Enshrinement of Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni: Data reveals government's deep involvement (2) Municipal assembly elections: Policy affairs research expenses are also campaign issue Mainichi: (1) Enshrinement of Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni: Government played active role (2) Abolition of reverse draft: Yomiuri Giants must not be allowed to veto move Yomiuri: (1) Sapporo Holdings' shareholders meeting: Shareholders give priority to long-term profits (2) Information on Yasukuni Shrine: New memorial for the war dead needed Nihon Keizai: (1) JR's 20-year history shows real value of privatization (2) Talks on measures to guard against takeover bids should be transparent Sankei: (1) New information on Yasukuni Shrine: Read it based on public will (2) Illegal trade with North Korea: Far-reaching implementation of law needed Tokyo Shimbun: (1) National referendum bill: Maneuvering over party interests will distort discussion (2) Sapporo Holdings takeover bid: Preventive measure is to improve corporate value Akahata: Voters must choose reliable party in unified local elections 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, March 29 TOKYO 00001391 003 OF 012 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) March 30, 2007 08:02 Attended a ministerial meeting on reform of the public servant system at the Kantei. 09:02 Met Environment Minister Wakabayashi. 10:00 Met Central Education Council Chairman Masakazu Yamazaki and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura. Shimomura stayed behind. 10:40 Met Japan Post President Ikuta and others. Followed by Ambassador to China Miyamoto and Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Sasae. 13:45 Met former Secretary of State Shultz and his wife, with Akie, his wife, and Yoko, his mother. 14:40 Met Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki. SIPDIS 15:47 Met Special Assistant Nemoto. Followed by Intellectual Property Strategy Promotion Secretariat Head Ogawa and others. 16:03 Met state-run Russian Railway Company President Yakunin, with Foreign Vice Minister Yachi. Later attended a meeting of the Education Rebuilding Council. 17:32 Visited the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. 18:33 Attended a Security Council meeting. Later, met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba. SIPDIS 19:27 Attended a farewell party for a Prime Minister's Office member for her retirement in late March at a Chinese restaurant in Akasaka. 21:30 Returned to his official residence. 4) US Ambassador Schieffer carries out public relations at Seiyu's reopening of sales of US beef MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) March 30, 2007 Seiyu, which is under the US Wal-Mart umbrella, has resumed sales of US beef at its Kinshicho outlet at Kotobashi in Sumida Ward in Tokyo. Since this is the first major supermarket to handle US beef since imports were resumed, US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer came to the store to promote the product. TOKYO 00001391 004 OF 012 Ambassador Schieffer expressed his expectations: "There are many Japanese consumers who would like to eat American beef. I think other supermarkets, too, will similarly start selling." He urged the Japanese government to ease import conditions, saying, "I hope that restrictions will be lined up with those of other countries in the world." Seiyu will resume sales of US beef at its 19 stores in the Kanto region on March 31. 5) Vice agricultural minister cites difficulty of early beef talks at Japan-US summit meeting NIHON KEIZAI (Page 5) (Full) March 30, 2007 Vice Agricultural Minister Yoshio Kobayashi at a press conference yesterday, referring to President Bush bringing up the issue of easing US beef export criteria at the summit with Prime Minister ABE in late April, expressed the view, "We are not at the stage to respond to talks." Although the US has requested the standard of allowing only beef from cattle 20 months of age or younger be eased, Japan has reiterated its difficulty with accepting such. 6) Former health and welfare ministry and Yasukuni Shrine set standard for enshrinement of war criminals; Prime Minister ABE says there is no question of government involvement ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpt) Eve., March 29, 2007 Prime Minister ABE around noon today made this statement about the released internal documents that showed the situation of the former health and welfare ministry and Yasukuni Shrine uniting to set the standard for enshrinement of the war dead: "I don't think there is a problem. Enshrinement was carried out by the shrine, wasn't it? The former health and welfare ministry was asked for information and it presented that information. Isn't that the case?" It can be said the documents show enshrinements went forward under the lead of the state, with such facts as the ministry proposing to the shrine that enshrinements of B and C-class war criminals be done in an unobtrusive way. The prime minister's statement, however, expressed a view that the involvement of the central government was limited and not coercive, and that from the standpoint of the principle of the separation of state and religion, posed no problem.. The prime minister was replying to the press corps in his official residence. 7) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing) column: Government's initiative in enshrinement of war dead at Yasukuni clearly shown by Diet library's new documents; Prime minister's explanation just the opposite ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) March 20, 2007 The National Diet Library (NDL) released a book titled "A New Compilation of Materials on the Yasukuni Shrine Problems" consisting of a collection of old records and documents. The book reveals that the government had taken the initiative in promoting the enshrinement of the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine. This revelation is contrary to Prime Minister Abe's account that "the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) of the time was asked to provide documents TOKYO 00001391 005 OF 012 and did so." This matter is beginning to reignite a call for separate enshrinement of the Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni Shrine, as well as a call for the construction of a secular national memorial facility in view of separation of politics and religion. ASTERISK ASTERISK ASTERISK ASTERISK ASTERISK The enshrinement of the Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine has become a diplomatic issue. Who decided to enshrine them at the shrine? This has been the big question about the recent controversy over the Yasukuni issue. list of the Class-A war criminals to Yasukuni Shrine in February 1966; and (2) Yasukuni enshrined those criminals in October 1978. This enshrinement was reportedly decided by then Priest Nagayoshi Matsudaira. When asked yesterday afternoon about the documents released by the library, Prime Minister ABE said: "It is the shrine that enshrined them. The ministry was asked to provide documents and did so, didn't it?" The newly released documents indicate that the MHW, envisioning a possible enshrinement of the Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine, took the initiative in going through the enshrinement procedures soon after Japan recovered its independence. This fact is contrary to Abe's explanation that the "leading role" was played by Yasukuni with the government playing the "supporting role." For instance, the MHW proposed at the fourth round of meeting with the shrine on April 1958 to discuss enshrinement criteria that the shrine honor the Class-B and Class-C war criminals in a way not to stand out. In the seventh round of meeting on September of that year, whether to enshrine the war criminals, including Class-A war criminals, was put on agenda for discussions. The MHW asked for the shrine's understanding about honoring the "war criminals who died in prison abroad (Class-B and Class-C war criminals)" in a way not to stand out. Main points of most-watched exchanges of views and descriptions (from the book) The fourth round of talks on enshrinement criteria, held on April 9, 1958 How about enshrining those war criminals at the Class-B or below in a permissible manner and in a way so that it will not stand out? We'd like the shrine side to study this matter. Answer: We on the part of the shrine will consult it at our representative members' meeting, and then we will hold a next round of talks. The seventh round of talks on enshrinement, held on September 12, 1958 (Regarding the war criminals, including those at the Class-A level), it's not possible to select who are qualified and who are not in the process of examining them. But it will be difficult in many ways to enshrine them all together, so we hope to see your side accept first the enshrinement of war criminals who died in prison abroad in a way that does not stand out. TOKYO 00001391 006 OF 012 A document examining enshrinement dated January 31, 1969 (formed by the Yasukuni Shrine's Research Department (Regarding the reconfirmation that it is "possible" to enshrine the Class-A war criminals),we decided to enshrine them partly considering our representative members' meeting's desire, but we will refrain from announcing this decision publicly. A notification for enshrinement will be sent directly to family members of those criminals without going through the prefectural governments. New facts and uncertainties concerning enshrinement of Class-A war criminals New facts: 7 The MHW and Yasukuni Shrine set the enshrinement criteria for the war dead after a number of discussions. 7 The MHW proposed the shrine honor the Class-B and Class-C war criminals. 7 As of January 1969, the MHW and the shrine reconfirmed that it was "possible to enshrine" the Class-A war criminals at the shrine. 7 As of June 1970, it was reconfirmed that whether to enshrine the Class-A war criminals was "put on hold." Uncertainties: 7 In February 1966, the MHW sent a list of the Class-A war criminals to the shrine. Who ordered it to do so upon what judgment? 7 What sorts of discussions were held between the government and the shrine before the Class-A war criminals were honored by the shrine in October 1978. 7 Why was the enshrinement of the Class-A war criminals delayed for 12 or so years after the list of those criminals was sent to the shrine? 8) Yasukuni Shrine: Enshrinement of wartime brothel owner was not based on shrine's judgment TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 31) (Excerpts) March 30, 2007 It has been revealed that the then Health and Welfare Ministry and Yasukuni Shrine had decided to enshrine a man who had run a "comfort station" for soldiers in Indonesia and had been tried and found guilty. On this issue, an official of Yasukuni Shrine cited his death in prison after being tried as a war criminal as the main reason for the enshrinement of the man. Saying, "The enshrinement was not based on the shrine's judgment," the official indicated that the owner of the bordello was enshrined probably under the instruction of the Health and Welfare Ministry, as was the case of soldiers. The Tokyo Shimbun asked the shrine if the bordello owner is actually enshrined. The official at the shrine refused to reply to the question, saying: "We can find out about it if we look over source materials, but we can't release it. If we receive an inquiry from his family, we will reply." The official added: "In general, Yasukuni Shrine does not enshrine the souls of ordinary persons." He thus admitted that the enshrinement of a civilian who operated a bordello for soldiers was unusual. TOKYO 00001391 007 OF 012 Survey Material Office Head Yoji Kakihara of the Records Division Health in the Labor and Welfare Ministry's War Victims' Relief Bureau commented: "The then Health and Welfare Ministry informed the Yasukuni Shrine in February 1966 that 'the ministry will send the list with the names of the war criminals whose souls have yet to be enshrined.' Class-A, B, and C war criminals were among them, but I cannot tell if the man in question was included among them. It is unknown why the process of enshrining the comfort-station owner was taken, so we will conduct an investigation." 9) Welfare Ministry rules out violation of principle of separation of religion and politics TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 31) (Full) March 30, 2007 In a regular press conference yesterday, Health, Labor and Welfare Vice Minister Tetsuo Tsuji, referring to the revelation in internal documents released by the National Diet Library that the former Health and Welfare Ministry had worked on Yasukuni Shrine to enshrine war criminals, stated that the ministry had never taken any action that violated the principle of separation of religion and politics. He noted: "The former Health and Welfare Ministry was in charge of keeping the personal records of soldiers and civilian employees of the military on its own responsibility and with presenting records as the need arose. I understand it did not do any more than that." 10) Former Health and Welfare Ministry's involvement in collective enshrinement decision causes stir in government, ruling coalition NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) March 30, 2007 The discovery of the National Diet Library's documents that revealed the former Health and Welfare Ministry's involvement in the process of deciding to honor Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine created a sensation in the government and the ruling coalition yesterday. Japan War-Bereaved Association Chairman Makoto Koga of the Liberal Democratic Party said: "It has strengthened my feeling that the country must earnestly discuss matters, including the option of unenshrining Class-A war criminals." Yamasaki faction head Taku Yamasaki also called for unenshrining Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni. The library explained: "We have received queries from both ruling and opposition lawmakers, and we made public the documents following a year of preparations." The library's announcement ahead of a visit to Japan by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has stirred various conjectures. Japan's wrong move could rekindle the Yasukuni issue. Prime Minister SHINZO ABE emphatically told reporters at his official residence: "There is no problem. It was the shrine that decided to honor (Class-A war criminals) there." Ken Sato, Beijing TOKYO 00001391 008 OF 012 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, referring to the National Diet Library documents, simply said on March 29: "Although we haven't seen them, there will be no change in China's stance." He apparently avoided criticizing the collective enshrinement of the Japanese war dead, including Class-A war criminals, at Yasukuni Shrine. Meanwhile, the South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry released this statement: "We expect that the Japanese government will take a responsible step without distorting the truth any further." 11) Yasukuni documents rekindle unenshrinement debate; Government tries to calm the storm MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) March 30, 2007 The revelation of the National Diet Library's documents proving the former Health and Welfare Ministry's active involvement in the decision to honor Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine rekindled the Yasukuni debate yesterday. Former Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taku Yamasaki and others have renewed their call for the unenshrinement of Class-A war criminals, while the government endeavored to put out the fire. Yamasaki took this view at his faction's meeting: "Contrary to the dominant view that Yasukuni Shrine independently decided to honor Class-A war criminals there, the Health and Welfare Ministry actively pushed ahead with the action. The government is clearly responsible for it. If the government can unenshrine them (in a responsible manner),Prime Minister SHINZO ABE would be able to visit the shrine without worrying about his action escalating into a diplomatic issue." Japan War-Bereaved Association Chairman Makoto Koga, a former secretary general, also said: "I now strongly feel that we should discuss matters earnestly, including the option of separating Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni." Yamasaki and Koga's logic is that if the government had a hand in the collective enshrinement, it would be able to become involved in a decision on un-enshrinement. Meanwhile, New Komeito policy chief Tetsuo Saito raised a question, saying: "If (the government) had intentionally provided (the shrine) with information, that was a violation of Article 20 of the Constitution (stipulating the separation of state and religion), wasn't it?" The prime minister, however, brushed aside Saito's question by saying to the reporters: "There is no problem in terms of the principle of separation of state and religion." 12) Kono criticizes calls for review of his statement as "not in good faith" MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) March 30, 2007 It became clear yesterday that Lower House Speaker Yohei Kono, in an interview to the Asian Women's Fund (AWF, chaired by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama),which has been providing assistance to the so-called comfort women, said: "It is absurd to argue as if the military comfort women did not exist. Making a fuss by arguing that the whole thing is a lie is not honest intellectually." In 1993, when he was serving as chief cabinet secretary, Kono released a statement acknowledging the Imperial Japanese Army's involvement and TOKYO 00001391 009 OF 012 expressing apologies to the comfort women. In the interview, Kono criticized the recent move calling for a review of his statement. Kono's words appeared in the book titled Oral History: Asian Women's Fund, published by the AWF yesterday. Touching on the government's interviews with 16 former comfort women, Kono said: "They offered explanation after explanation on a situation known only to those who had experienced such tremendous hardships. Some people say that (the Kono Statement) was a political decision, but I did not think so. As a human being, I just thought that we must do something appropriate for them." Regarding the fact that some LDP lawmakers and others are calling for a review of his statement, Kono took this view: "I have no intention of reviewing it. I believe it is more brave and correct to admit that (the matter) was a shameful thing and vow not to repeat the same conduct." 13) Government to continue unilateral sanctions against North Korea, demonstrating stance of prioritizing abduction issue SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) March 30, 2007 The government decided yesterday to extend for another six months its unilateral sanctions against North Korea, which are to expire in mid-April, according to government sources. The decision came in reaction to North Korea's insincere response to the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by its agents. The Japanese government aims to demonstrate at home and abroad its strong determination to settle the abduction issue when the mood of conciliation toward North Korea is spreading among some countries concerned in response to the North's indication of a willingness to scrap its nuclear weapons and programs. Japan's decision to extend applying sanctions stems from the judgment that it is necessary to urge North Korea, by Prime Minister Abe's announcement of continuing Japan's sanctions, to address the abduction issue in a serious manner. On the day following North Korea's announcement of its nuclear test on Oct. 9 of last year, the government held a meeting of the Security Council and decided to take these unilateral sanctions: (1) banning all North Korean ships from calling at Japanese ports; (2) banning imports of all North Korean products; and (3) banning North Koreans, including civilians, from entering Japan in principle. 14) Gas fields in East China Sea: Experts meeting to be held in Beijing next week; Gaps remain to be filled in order for Japan, China to reach agreement on joint development SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) March 30, 2007 The seventh round of bureau director-level meeting to discuss development of gas fields in the East China Sea was held yesterday at the Foreign Ministry. It was the first full-scale meeting in eight months. Participants agreed to hold a meeting of experts from the technical field next week in Beijing. The government wants to pave the way for settling the issue as a symbol of a bilateral strategic reciprocal relationship by the time when Premier Wen TOKYO 00001391 010 OF 012 Jiabao visits Japan on Apr. 11. It will continue talks with China in an effort to find a settlement measure for joint development that is acceptable to both sides. Kenichiro Sasae, director general of the Asian-Pacific Affairs Bureau, told reporters after the meeting, "The Chinese side expressed views with a constructive direction." However, he also indicated a perception that more effort would be necessary to fill the gap in the positions of both sides, saying, "The matter will require further discussions. It is necessary to develop our thinking in a more concrete manner." Tokyo and Beijing confirmed their intention to continue talks to realize joint development, as Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and President Hu Jintao during the summit meeting last October agreed to firmly maintain dialogues and talks and properly settle differences in views in order to make the East China Sea the sea of peace, cooperation and friendship. However, there has been no development since then. It was even observed last November that flames were rising from the Octagon, drilling facilities in the Pinghu gas field. There is the possibility of the Chinese side having started another production. It has already started production in the Kashi (Tianwaitan) gas field near the median line between Japan and China. China has also completed the construction of an undersea pipeline at the Shirakaba (Chunxiao) oil field. Oil and natural gas can be transported to mainland China at any time. 15) Joint development should be allowed with US, Europe: Kyuma YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) March 30, 2007 Defense Minister Kyuma, sitting in yesterday on the House of Representatives Security Affairs Committee, indicated that the government should ease its self-imposed three principles on weapons exports so Japan can participate in the joint research and development of equipage with the United States and European countries. "Japan prohibits itself from taking part in the (joint) research and development of weaponry, but I wonder if this is appropriate," Kyuma stated before the committee. "It's time to consider a little more about this," he added. Kyuma cited the F-35, an advanced stealth fighter model currently under joint development in foreign countries including the United States and Britain. "It's regrettable that we could not join in their joint development," Kyuma said, adding, "We do not participate, so we're made to buy at high prices." He also stated, "I wonder if it's all right for (Japan as) a law-governed country to ease or tighten its rules with a chief cabinet secretary's statement." In 1967, then Prime Minister Sato clarified the three principles of not exporting weapons to (1) communist nations, (2) countries against which the United Nations has taken sanctions, and (3) conflict-ridden countries. The government, in its 1976 statement, announced Japan's de facto embargo on arms exports to any countries. Consequently, Japan has been unable to participate in joint development with foreign countries. In 1983, the government released a chief cabinet secretary's statement to allow weapons technology TOKYO 00001391 011 OF 012 transfer to the United States. In 2004, the government released another statement in the name of the then chief cabinet secretary to except Japan's joint development and production with the United States for missile defense. 16) MSDF crewman quizzed over vessel data taken out YOMIURI (Page 39) (Full) March 30, 2007 A Maritime Self-Defense Force petty officer second class, who is a crewman of the Shirane, a destroyer under the command of MSDF Escort Flotilla 1, headquartered in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, has taken home a floppy disk that recorded information including data about a destroyer's radar systems, sources revealed yesterday. The floppy disk is believed to contain information classified by the Defense Ministry. Classified information is prohibited from being taken out. According to investigative authorities and other sources, Kanagawa prefectural police discovered the floppy disk at the petty officer's home when the police searched his home early this year to charge his Chinese wife with a violation of the Immigrant Control and Refugee Recognition Law. The disk contained data about radar systems and radio frequencies. The petty officer is now under investigation. The Defense Ministry's classified information is categorized into three stages-"top secret (kimitsu)," "strictly secret (gokuhi)," and "secret (hi)." Leaking classified information conflicts with the Self-Defense Forces Law. 17) Gov't panel to propose raising morality to subject ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged) March 30, 2007 A government panel on education reform yesterday held a meeting of its school revitalization subcommittee and decided to propose raising morals to a subject like Japanese and math. If it becomes a subject to be studied, the morality of schoolchildren and students will likely be rated for school reporting. Its teaching material will not be a side reader but will be treated as a school textbook that could be subject to screening for authorization. However, this is also likely to face opposition. The panel's discussions will likely heat up. In January this year, the education reform panel came up with its first report of recommendations. In response, the government will introduce a package of three education-related legislative measures to the Diet today. The panel, in its second report expected in May, will set forth specific measures that are not based on legal revisions. In that report, the panel will propose raising morals to a subject in a course of study at school. Prime Minister ABE and his government could back the panel's policy proposals to make clear his imprint ahead of this summer's election for the House of Councillors. However, the focus is on how it will be incorporated in the second report. The first report suggested the need for schools to make sure that children acquire ethics and the standards Japan has cultivated. The TOKYO 00001391 012 OF 012 panel has discussed how to fulfill the subject. SCHIEFFER