JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/11/07

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/11/07 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) Prime Minister ABE orders strengthening of Japan's human contributions overseas, seeking way to dispatch civilian police for Afghan reconstruction 5) If North Korea reneges on six-party agreement, Japan plans to go to UN members to press for their full implementation of Resolution 1718 Defense issues: 6) Japan-South Korea security dialogue restarts after 3-year hiatus 7) MSDF personnel to participate in the site assessment process for the relocation of Futenma to the shore area of Camp Schwab 8) Defense Minister Kyuma pressed by opposition lawmaker in the Diet on possible additional expense to Japan of Guam relocation of Okinawa Marines 9) Bad weather at Iwojima brings NLP back to Atsugi putting local mayor in foul mood 10) New Komeito debates right of collective self-defense, concerned that ABE administration will change interpretation to allow its use Political agenda: 11) It is certain that national referendum bill will pass the Diet on May 14 12) Surprise overturn by Tokyo High Court of acquittal of LDP heavyweight Muraoka for hiding 100 million JDA political donation 13) Former Hashimoto faction startled by high court's reversal of decision on Muraoka, which could have impact on others involved in donation scam 14) LDP perplexed by the overturn of Muraoka's acquittal, fearing political backlash 15) Koga and Tanigaki factions in the LDP are preparing way for a merger 16) Upper House President Ogi from the LDP to retire from politics 17) Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) readies its manifesto for the Upper House election, focusing on rectifying the growing income disparity in Japan 18) National Land and Transport Ministry at odds with the Prime Minister's office on liberalization of civil aviation scheme called "Asia Gateway Strategy" Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Labor Ministry to propose abolishing training system of allowing employment of cheap foreign laborers Mainichi: Yomiuri: Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun Acquittal overturned for former Chief Cabinet Secretary Muraoka in case of secret political funds donation by Japan Dental Political Federation: "Takigawa statement is credible," Tokyo High Court judges TOKYO 00002113 002 OF 011 Nihon Keizai: Leading IHI to resume operations at shipyard in Aichi: First production reinforcement in 30 years Akahata: Bill on procedures to amend Constitution: LDP, Minshuto agree to vote at Upper House special committee today; Communist Party against move 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Acquittal of former Chief Cabinet Secretary Muraoka overturned: How will Nonaka and Aoki respond? (2) British Prime Minister Blear to stand down: "Third way" legacy Mainichi: (1) Secret political funds donation incident: Diet should clear fog enveloping truth (2) Toyota Motor's operating benefit reach 2 trillion yen; Attach importance to environment in newly emerging markets as well' Yomiuri: (1) BSE inspection: It is time to adopt international standards (2) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Muraoka ruled guilty: Decision overturning previous ruling recognizes credibility of accountant's statement Nihon Keizai: (1) Three% cut in public projects is major premise for spending reform (2) Muraoka trial: Court overturns ruling, but there is no change in essence of case Sankei: (1) British Prime Minister to quit: Japan should respond to changes in administrations in the world (2) Muraoka ruled guilty: Good opportunity to think about politics and money Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Spring wage battles for small and medium-size companies, part-timers: Situation far removed from correction of income gap (2) Toyota Motors becomes top manufacturer in the world: It is urged to spearhead moves to prevent global warming Akahata: (1) 5.20 Youth Convention to be held on May 20 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, May 10 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 11, 2007 10:40 Met Special Advisor Nemoto at the Kantei. Followed by New Komeito Vice President Higashi. 11:13 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki. TOKYO 00002113 003 OF 011 12:41 Met Special Advisor Seko and Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Hasegawa. 15:12 Met Finance Vice Minister Tomida. Followed by Culture Agency Director General Aoki and Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry Deputy Vice Minister Tamai. Later met Special Advisor Yamatani. 16:48 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani and Defense Ministry Defense Intelligence Headquarters Chief Mukunoki. Mitani stayed behind. 18:00 Attended a celebration party for the launch of the Service Industry Productivity Council at the Hotel Okura. 18:28 Arrived at the Kantei. 19:07 Dined with Administrative Reform Minister Watanabe, Upper House Secretary General Katayama, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, and SIPDIS others at a Chinese restaurant in the Hotel Okura. 20:40 Returned to his official residence. 4) Afghan reconstruction: Prime Minister ABE orders strengthening of human contributions, seeking to dispatch civilian police SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) May 11, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE as of yesterday instructed officials in the foreign and defense ministries to look into measures allowing human contributions to Afghanistan. The government at the beginning of this year had been considering air-transport activities by the Air Self-Defense Force, but withdrew the idea due to the lack of legal preparation and the worsening public security situation in Afghanistan. It decided instead to provide grant assistance to Afghanistan, including assistance to local non-government organizations (NGOs) operating in the country. However, the prime minister is aiming at strengthening human contributions in a way that would be visible to all, and according to several senior officials in the foreign and defense ministries, "The prime minister is probing the possibility of sending civilians, such as civilian police or NGO-connected personnel." Currently, approximately 10 Japanese NGOs are carrying out activities in Afghanistan. Among them, six organizations are receiving grant money from the Japanese government. They are carrying out such activities as landmine removal, educational assistance, and provision of drinking water. The government would like to strengthen assistance for such activities that would lead to an increase in the number of NGOs or their personnel operating in local areas in Afghanistan. At the same time, the idea is to look into the possibility of dispatching doctors or civilian police, as well. TOKYO 00002113 004 OF 011 5) Japan to prompt other countries via UNSC to fully implement sanctions against DPRK SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) May 11, 2007 The Japanese government yesterday decided to step up its efforts to work on other countries to fully translate into action the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1718 in response to North Korea's failure to implement the first-phase action, including shutting down and sealing its nuclear facilities, as agreed on in the six-party talks (in February). The resolution calls on the member nations to ban exports of luxury items to the North, but it is unclear whether many countries, including China and South Korea, have put the resolution into practice. Japan is considering imposing further sanctions on North Korea and it is also aiming to build an international sanction coalition against the North in order to prod it to observe the agreement. Steps being considered in this regard include urging the country presiding the UNSC to discuss at its Sanctions Committee on North Korea established in the UNSC how far the member nations have carried out their respective sanction measures. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a press conference yesterday: "We look for opportunities to emphasize the need for all the UN member nations to implement sanction measures, but our understanding is that the number of countries that have implemented them has not reached a satisfactory level yet." Foreign Minister Taro Aso as well told at a meeting yesterday of the Lower House Committee on Foreign Affairs: "Japan has already discussed the United States about a proper way of implementation." The UNSC Resolution 1718 was unanimously adopted in last October in response to North Korea's nuclear test. On programs for the development of nuclear, missile, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the like, the resolution demands, for instance, that all member nations shall (1) put an embargo on relevant certain items; (2) freeze funds of relevant individuals and organizations; and (3) ban responsible persons and their families from entering into their countries. The resolution also demands that all member nations in this regard shall report to the UNSC in not more than 30 days. However, the number of countries that have made a report to the Sanctions Committee was 68 as of mid-April. China has submitted a report, but the report has no description about luxury items, and says it "plans to" freeze funds and ban entries into the country. South Korea in its report to the UNSC says only that it is "creating a list of luxury items" whose exports will be prohibited. 6) Japan-ROK security dialogue takes place for first time in three years and half YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 11, 2007 The sixth Japan-South Korea security dialogue took place at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, bringing together the two countries' senior foreign and defense officials for the first time in about three years and a half. In the session, the two countries agreed that North Korea must swiftly implement the initial-stage measures, such as shutting down and sealing its nuclear facility in Yongbyon, TOKYO 00002113 005 OF 011 as was agreed upon in the six-party talks in February. 7) Shiozaki: SDF might carry out environmental assessment for Futenma relocation YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 11, 2007 Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki indicated in a press conference yesterday that the Maritime Self-Defense Force might conduct part of the planned environment impact assessment around Camp Schwab in Nago, the relocation site for the US Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station. 8) USFJ realignment burden: Lawmaker Ogata asks if there will be additional costs after (Okinawa Marines) move to Guam, but Defense Minister Kyuma unable to reply AKAHATA (Page 2) (Excerpt) May 11, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, appearing yesterday in the Upper House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee was unable to deny the possibility that after the move to Guam of US Marines on Okinawa, based on the realignment of US forces in Japan, there would be additional burden of expenses placed on Japan. He was replying to a question from Japanese Communist Party member Yasuo Ogata. According to the Pentagon report, Structural Changes in the US Pacific Forces, accompanying the move of the Marines to Guam, there will be such additional expenditures as transport costs and facilities improvement costs totaling an annual $465 million (approximately 55 billion yen). There are also other expense calculations needed, but the allocations had not yet been made. 9) US forces in Japan: Bad weather at Iwojima cited as reason for NLP at Atsugi Air Station, but local mayors call such, "Unacceptable" AKAHATA (Page 4) (Excerpt) May 11, 2007 The US forces Japan announced yesterday that night-landing practice (NLP) by jets attached to the Navy carrier Kitty Hawk, originally scheduled to be carried out at Iwojima Island, will be done on the 10th, 14th, and 15th at Atsugi Air Station (Yamato and Ayase cities in Kanagawa Prefecture) instead. According to the notification, the practice could not be carried out at Iwojima due to inclement weather. The hours of practice will be between 6:00 and 10:00 pm, and the aircraft will be FA18C Hornets and EA6B Prowlers. In addition, if unforeseen factors such as weather are involved, there is a possibility of flying going on after 10:00 pm. The mayors of the two cities have asked the commander of Atsugi that the flights be cancelled, calling them "absolutely unacceptable and truly regrettable." 10) New Komeito launches discussion on collective defense; Members urge experts panel not to change the government's constitutional interpretation YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) TOKYO 00002113 006 OF 011 May 11, 2007 Following the government's decision to launch shortly a study by a group of experts of particular cases concerning the right to collective self-defense, the New Komeito's diplomatic and security affairs research council also started yesterday a discussion on the question of collective defense. The party is opposed to making any changes to the government's constitutional interpretation banning exercising the right to collective self-defense, though it has endorsed the plan to study particular cases. Many New Komeito members voiced cautious views in yesterday's session. The participants included Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kyoji Yanagisawa, who heads the government's experts panel. Yanagisawa explained on: (1) how US warships in waters near Japan should be protected, (2),how ballistic missiles headed for the United States should be dealt with, (3) how foreign troops working alongside SDF troops, who are for instance on the mission in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, must be rescued, and (4) how the SDF should extend logistical support in relation to the use of force. Yanagisawa said: "There are two questions: (1) Should the SDF be left as unable to conduct those four types of activities, (2) what kind of legal steps must be taken in order to allow the SDF to carry out those activities." A member asked Yanagisawa: "The experts council does not include any former Cabinet Legislation Bureau officials. Did the government do so intentionally?" Another urged the experts panel to conduct discussions within the framework of the government's definition of the right to collective defense. Yanagisawa sought the attendants' understanding, saying, "The experts council includes former bureaucrats who actually experienced Diet debates, and that's sufficient for discussions from a legal perspective." 11) National referendum bill sure to pass Diet on May 14 YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) May 11, 2007 The chief directors of the Upper Special House Research Committee on the Constitution representing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) yesterday agreed to hold today a general question-and-answer session and take a vote on a bill to hold a referendum on a revision of the Constitution. The Upper House Steering Committee yesterday decided to put the bill to a vote at a plenary session on May 14 of the Upper House. It is therefore certain that the bill will be enacted on May 14. In the two chief directors meeting yesterday, it was decided that Prime Minister SHINZO ABE would attend today's general meeting. In an informal meeting of committee directors, held before this chief directors meeting, the ruling coalition proposed taking a vote on the bill, citing that more than 40 hours were spent for deliberations and public hearing was held in six places. Minshuto, however, was reluctant, saying, "Enough time was not spent for a debate and a central public hearing session has yet to be held." The leading opposition party later agreed to the ruling camp's plan based on the conditions that the prime minister would attend the committee session and all possible measures would be taken until the law's enforcement TOKYO 00002113 007 OF 011 12) High court overturns not-guilty ruling for Muraoka, regarding Takigawa's testimony as reliable MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) May 11, 2007 The Tokyo High Court yesterday overturned the Tokyo District Court's judgment (March 2006) that acquitted former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka of concealing a 100 million yen political donation from the Japan Dental Association (JDA) to the former Hashimoto faction. The court sentenced Muraoka to 10 months in prion, suspended for three years. In reference to the testimony of Toshiyuki Takigawa, the then treasurer of the Hashimoto faction who testified: "Muraoka told him not to report the donation," presiding Judge Masaru Suda said: "The testimony is highly reliable." Muraoka intends to appeal. The prosecution's assertion is that then Deputy Faction Chairman Muraoka decided in a meeting of senior faction members in March 2002 not to report the 100 million yen donation from the JDA in the political funds statement. In the hearing in the high court, too, the credibility of Takigawa's testimony was focused on. The court admitted that the testimony was reliable for these reasons: (1) The testimony is natural and rational in light of objective circumstances, and its fundamental points are consistent; and (2) it coincides with what a secretary of former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said. It then came up with this conclusion: "Muraoka played a role in getting a consensus in a senior faction meeting not to report the donation in the political funds statement." The lower court judge dismissed the treasurer's testimony as unreliable, adding that he intended to prevent the responsibility for the scandal from falling on Hashimoto. But the high court overruled it, saying: "There was no reason for the former treasurer to make false testimony that was highly likely to place criminal responsibility on a senior faction member in order to protect someone." 13) Members of former Hashimoto faction surprised at overturned ruling on Muraoka TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) May 11, 2007 The Tokyo High Court yesterday overturned a lower court acquittal and found former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka guilty for failing to report a 100 million yen political donation to Heisei Kenkyukai, a political organization of a Liberal Democratic Party faction led by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. The overturned ruling is causing a stir in ruling and opposition parties. House of Councillors Secretary General Toranosuke Katayama, who belongs to the Tsushima faction, the successor to the Hashimoto faction, told reporters yesterday: "I feel sorry for Mr. Muraoka. Hearing and his testimony and taking comprehensive circumstances into account, I had believed that Mr. Muraoka had a chance of winning. I was surprised at the overturned judgment." Faction Chairman Yuji Tsushima said, "I have no comment." TOKYO 00002113 008 OF 011 Prime Minister ABE also only said: "This is a ruling on an individual, so I had better refrain from offering a comment." LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa said: "This case reminds us that each politician must shape up and properly handle political funds so as not to cause misunderstanding among the public." New Komeito Acting Policy Research Council Chairman Natsuo Yamaguchi commented: "We should take the high court's severe judgment seriously. Now that public attention is being focused on the politics-and-money problem, we must make efforts to increase transparency in the flow of money." Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama made this critical comment: "There has been no reference to other senior members (of the former Hashimoto faction) than Mr. Muraoka. I feel that the case has been swept under the rug. They are trying to put an end to this case by imposing the responsibility on a single person." 14) Guilty verdict on Muraoka shocks LDP YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 11, 2007 The Tokyo High Court's decision yesterday that found former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka guilty for not reporting a 100 million yen political donation to the former Hashimoto faction in the Liberal Democratic Party, overturning a lower court acquittal, has caused dismay in the LDP. Tsushima faction Secretary General Hajime Funada noted: "It is truly SIPDIS regrettable that he was found guilty while discussion on the question of politics and money if going on. We must take it seriously." Upper House Caucus Secretary General Toranosuke Katayama of the Tsushima faction also said: "The decision surprised me. I personally feel sorry for Mr. Muraoka." Meanwhile, Prime Minister SHINZO ABE simply said to reporters: "I would like to refrain from any comment." Given the fact that Muraoka's kin is backing an LDP candidate running in the Akita constituency in the upcoming Upper House election, there is concern in the LDP about the verdict's possible negative impact on the race. The opposition is eager to grill the LDP regarding the question of politics and money by capitalizing on the decision. Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama was critical: "The LDP has failed to demonstrate its accountability." Social Democratic Party Secretary General Mataichi took this view: "The decision has proven that collusive ties among politics, the bureaucracy, and business are still very much alive under LDP rule." 15) Koga, Tanigaki factions to join forces with merger in mind: Coordination to be undertaken over timing, etc., while monitoring political situation NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpt) May 11, 2007 TOKYO 00002113 009 OF 011 It was learned on May 10 that the Koga and Tanigaki factions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had reached a basic agreement to strengthen ties with a future merger in mind. Chairmen Makoto Koga and Sadakazu Tanigaki met several times around the Golden Week Holidays in Tokyo and agreed to strengthen relations, including mutual assistance during upcoming Upper House election campaigns. Some senior officials of both parties have also met with a view to possible merger. However, since the Upper House election is to take place in July, both sides intend to coordinate views on the timing of the merger in a cautious manner. 16) Upper House President Ogi to retire from politics YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) May 11, 2007 House of Councillors President Chikage Ogi, 74, who headed the now defunct Conservative Party (Hoshuto) and served as minister of land, infrastructure and transport, yesterday conveyed her intention not run in this summer's Upper House election and retire from politics to a senior Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member. Ogi, hailing from Takarazuka Revue, was a film and TV actress. In 1977 at the request of then Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, she ran in the Upper House election and elected. She belonged to Shinshinto (New Frontier Party),the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party. She headed the Conservative Party. In July 2007, she was appointed by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori as construction minister and national land agency director general. She served as first minister of land, infrastructure and transport, which was created as a result of the realignment of central government offices. In November 2003, she rejoined the LDP and became the first woman to serve as Upper House president in July ¶2004. Her husband is a kabuki actor, Tojuro Sakata. 17) Minshuto's measures for narrowing social gap ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) May 11, 2007 Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) revealed yesterday a draft manifest (campaign pledges) for this summer's House of Councillors election. The special feature of the draft manifest is the party comes up with specific measures to rectify the income gap in society, which it will bring up as a main campaign issue. The measures include reform of the income tax system to abolish the securities preferential tax system, as well as creation of a "child allowance system to provide 26,000 yen per month. Giving special considering to the constituencies in which single seats are up for grabs in the upcoming Upper House election, the largest opposition party places priority on measures for local areas such as the introduction of a 1,000-yen minimum wage system across the nation. The draft was compiled based on police measures to run government (Magna Carta) that Minshuto came up with late last year. Paying attention to the fact that many low-income earners have TOKYO 00002113 010 OF 011 expressed unhappiness with the abolishment of the fixed tax break and the residential tax hike from June, the party will propose abolishing the securities preferential tax system. The government and the ruling parties in late 2006 decided to extend for one year the preferential tax system. They also decided to look into reform of the inheritance and gift taxes in view of narrowing the income gap. Minshuto proposes maintaining the 5% consumption tax. In order to highlight differences with Prime Minister Abe, who has tried to put off consumption tax argument to sometime after the Upper House election, the main opposition party wishes to stress a stance of making efforts for rectifying the social divide by revising the income tax and gift tax systems. Main points of Minshuto's draft manifesto Income tax reform, including abolishment of the securities preferential tax system Establishment of "child allowance system" to provide 26,000 yen per month Difference between production costs and market prices should be paid to farmers Strengthening local governments' audit function and regulation on amakudari (golden parachute system) in order to prevent bid-rigging practices and wrongdoings Reducing by 50% greenhouse gases emissions by 2050, establishing a law to rescue those suffering from the environmental causes 18) Gateway conference: Kantei, MLIT at odds over aviation liberalization with Kantei calling for broad-based liberalization including Kansai, Chubu Airports, while MLIT wants to see strategic distribution of landing and departure slots NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) May 11, 2007 Confrontation between the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) is mounting over aviation liberalization. Regarding the Kansai and Chub International Airports, MLIT during an intensive meeting of the Asian Gateway Strategic Council (AGSC),chaired by Motoshige Ito, professor at Tokyo University, called for keeping intact a framework of strategically allocating landing and departure slots. The pattern of MLIT confronting Kantei, which is calling for broad-based liberalization, including those two airports, has become clear. The meeting brought together Tokyo University Professor Takatoshi Ito, a private-sector member of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, and Keio University Professor Ushio Chujo, a member of the Regulatory Reform Council, both in favor of promoting liberalization. Discussions between MLIT and Kantei ended without agreement with a senior MLIT official expressing a view cautious about liberalization. The focus of future discussions is how to handle a framework for landing and departure slots, which spell outs arrangements at each airport, based on aviation agreements with foreign countries. The TOKYO 00002113 011 OF 011 Gateway Council wants to adopt a system under which the allocation of landing and departure slots can be set flexibly in response to demand. The panel's stance is to attach importance to passenger convenience instead of carriers' vested rights and interests. The idea behind this stance is that it would serve the best interests of the nation. MLIT is reluctant to liberalize international hub airports with MLIT Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba rebutting: "The Kansai and Chubu Airports are key cards for bilateral talks. If all airports are liberalized, Japanese carriers would not be able to secure slots which they want." DONOVAN