JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/22/07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 002276

SIPDIS

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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/22/07


INDEX:
1) Top headlines

2) Editorials

3) Prime Minister's daily schedule

4) Abe Cabinet support rate rises 5.8 points to 49.6 percent in a
Yomiuri poll

5) Cabinet support rate steady at 44 percent in latest Asahi series
poll

6) With rising polls, ruling camp gains confidence going into the
Upper House election campaign, while opposition parties heighten
fighting stance

7) Prime Minister Abe's determination to make constitutional reform
the key campaign issue in the Upper House race does not sit well in
the ruling coalition

8) First Lady Akie Abe cried during White House meet when President
Bush spoke of soldiers who died in war

9) US, Japan to include Australia in missile-defense (MD) research,
with working talks later this year to start the process

10) Intelligence on MD's latest intercept system also leaked from
MSDF; USFJ protests

11) Defense Ministry to interview all SDF personnel in attempt to
drive home need to protect defense secrets

12) LDP proposes that SDF be charged with guarding Japanese overseas
missions

13) Ambassador Yanai, head of panel to review collective
self-defense, reveals in speech his eagerness to do so

14) Government concerned about rising local labor and other costs at
US bases, with US employees being replaced by Japanese workers

15) Coral reef being destroyed by underwater survey off Henoko says
environmental protection group

16) US, Japan resisting move to insert global-warming target into
upcoming G-8 summit meeting statement 11

17) Poor CO2 absorption by Japanese forests the result of widespread
management incompetence

ARTICLES:
1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Measles force Tokyo universities to call off classes

Mainichi:
Cabinet panel report simply calls for improved operation of Personal
Information Protection Law

Yomiuri:

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MOF projection: Merit system will result in subsidy cuts for 74
national universities

Nihon Keizai:
Manufacturing industry begins reforming production due to rising
metal prices

Sankei and Tokyo Shimbun:
Health Ministry proposes establishing "general medicine departments"
at hospitals

Akahata:
Regulatory Reform Council calls for elimination of labor rules,
rejects raising minimum wage

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1)Idea of hometown tax payment system just for Upper House
election
(2)Is 80 percent collection rate attainable with Social Insurance
Agency reform?

Mainichi:
(1)Lay judge system requires thorough preparations by citizens and
corporations
(2)Three education reform bills need to explore problems

Yomiuri:
(1)Hometown tax payment system and local governments
(2)Market, shareholders pushed Pentax toward merger

Nihon Keizai:
(1)Market calls for greater flexibility in Chinese yuan
(2)Measles epidemic must be prevented

Sankei:
(1)Amending Organ Transplant Law inevitable
(2)Rat extermination essential

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1)Chinese yuan needs reform
(2)EU and Russia must avoid new Cold War

Akahata:
(1)Deployment of MSDF vessel for new base survey brings back
memories of barbarous acts by former Imperial Japanese Army

3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)

Prime Minister's schedule, May 21

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 22, 2007

09:22:
Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Suzuki.
10:40:
Sent the Emperor and Empress off to Europe at Haneda Airport.
12:01:
Attended Upper House plenary session.
14:01:

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Met Shinji Tanimura, who wrote the lyrics and music for a song for
anti-drug abuse campaign, at Kantei. Recorded video message for the
national anti-drug abuse convention, attended by Special Advisor
Seko.
14:45:
Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kono.
15:37:
Attended together with his wife Akie exchange gathering with foreign
students.
16:00:
Met at Kantei with Agriculture Ministry Rural Development Bureau
Director General Nakajo, followed by Foreign Ministry Southeast and
Southwest Asian Affairs Department Director General Atsumi and
Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ando.
16:45:
Met Hirata Bokujo Co. President Nitta in the Diet building, joined
by LDP Secretary General Nakagawa and LDP Yamagata Chapter Chairman
Endo.
17:02:
Attended LDP board meeting.
17:35:
Met at Kantei with Kyodo News President Ishikawa and Chief Editor
Goto. Attended afterwards award ceremony for recognition of
structural reform special zone and regional revitalization plan.
18:26:
Met with assistant deputy chief cabinet secretaries Saka and Ando.
19:18:
Met at his official residence with Tokyo University Prof. Motoshige
Ito, chairman of the Asia Gateway Strategy Council, attended by
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki and Special Advisor Nemoto.

4) Poll: Cabinet support at 49.6 percent, up for 1st time

YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
May 22, 2007

The rate of public support for Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet
reached 49.6 percent in a face-to-face nationwide public opinion
survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun on May 19-20, showing an
increase of 5.8 percentage points over the last survey taken in
March. The support rate for the Abe cabinet went on dropping after
its inauguration. In the last survey, the nonsupport rate slightly
topped the support rate. This time, however, the support rate went
up for the first time. The nonsupport rate for the Abe cabinet was
36.8 percent, down 7.1 points from the last survey.

In the Diet, a National Referendum Law stipulating procedures for
constitutional revision has now been enacted. In addition, education
reform bills have also cleared the Diet. These facts seem to have
led to the support rate's rebound.

Among those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the
support rate for the Abe cabinet was 83 percent, up 5 points from
the last survey. Also, among those supporting the New Komeito, the
LDP's coalition partner, the support rate rebounded to nearly 70
percent.

5) Poll: Cabinet support rate levels off

ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged)
May 22, 2007


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Ahead of this summer's election for the House of Councillors, the
Asahi Shimbun conducted a second survey of public opinion on May
19-20, in which the Abe cabinet scored a 44 percent support rate and
a 36 percent nonsupport rate. The support rate topped the nonsupport
rate as in the first survey taken a week ago (support at 43 percent,
nonsupport at 33 percent).

Asked about Prime Minister Abe's job performance, 3 percent answered
that it was beyond expectations, with 30 percent saying it was up to
expectations and 27 percent saying it was short of expectations.
Those having no expectations from the start accounted for 35
percent.

The same question was asked in this February's survey, which posted
the lowest support rate for the Abe cabinet at 37 percent. In that
survey, 1 percent answered that it was beyond expectations, with 25
percent saying it was up to expectations and 37 percent saying it
was short of expectations. Those with no expectations from the first
accounted for 32 percent. This time, there was a decrease in the
proportion of those thinking it was short of their expectations, and
there was an increase in the proportion of those thinking it was up
to their expectations. In the survey this time, the public rating
for the Abe cabinet's job performance changed for the better. This
seems to have led to the rise in the support rate.

Asked for specific policy measures, 47 percent appreciated the prime
minister's efforts for education reform, and 41 percent did not. As
seen from these figures, affirmative answers somewhat outnumbered
negative answers. However, public opinion was split over the
premier's foreign policy and his efforts for constitutional
revision. When respondents were asked if they supported the
premier's foreign policy, "yes" accounted for 43 percent, with "no"
at 42 percent. Asked about the premier's efforts for constitutional
reform, "yes" accounted for 42 percent, with "no" at 43 percent.

Respondents were also asked which political party they would vote
for if an election were to be held now for the House of Councillors.
In response to this question, 31 percent picked the ruling Liberal
Democratic Party for proportional representation (28 percent in the
first survey),with 21 percent choosing the leading opposition
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) (21 percent in the first
survey). Respondents were further asked which side between the
ruling camp and the opposition camp they would like to see hold a
majority as a result of this summer's House of Councillors election.
In response, 36 percent chose the ruling camp (32 percent in the
first survey),with 43 percent preferring the opposition camp (44
percent in the first survey).

6) Ruling coalition confident they will win Upper House election
with cabinet approval rating on increase

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
May 22, 2007

According to a May survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun, the public's
support rate for the Abe cabinet has turned upward. The government
and ruling parties are greatly looking forward to the continuation
of this trend with an eye on the House of Councillors election,
which will take place in two months. A person close to Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe, pointing to a sense of self-confidence about a
possible further increases in the cabinet approval rating, made this
comment:

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"The fact that the prime minister took a bearish stance in dealing
with such crucial issues as constitutional reform and reform of the
civil service system led to an increase in the public support rating
for the cabinet."

Asked by reporters about the result of the Yomiuri poll, Prime
Minister Abe responded: "I don't react nervously to the results of
public opinion polls, but I will continue making efforts to get
public understanding for my policy measures in a honest manner."

Citing the civil service reform and improvement in relations with
China as the factors for a pickup in the public approval rating for
the Abe cabinet, Abe's aide stated: "All the more because both
issues were unable to be dealt with by the Koizumi cabinet, many
people highly valued the achievements by Prime Minister Abe."

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao
Nakagawa categorically stated in a press conference yesterday:

"That might be the result of a one-on-one debate (on May 16 between
the prime minister and Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan)
President Ichiro Ozawa). We should provide the public with materials
to determine by holding a party-heads debate every week."

Minshuto Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, however, revealed that
his party would step up its stance of opposing the ruling coalition,
saying: "The public might misunderstand and think that the prime
minister has leadership. If they are deceived by his words, it will
have a boomerang effect on them."

7) Prime minister's strategy to make constitutional revision top
campaign issue coming under fire even from ruling party members

ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
May 22, 2007

Prime Minister Abe aims to place the issue of revision of the
Constitution in the campaign spotlight for the House of Councillors
election. In reaction, officials in the ruling camp have begun to
voice criticism. In the Kantei's recent email magazine, the prime
minister noted, "I do not understand the criticism," but he is out
of sync with those critical of the prime minister's stance. The
opposition side has also pointed to the lack of unity in the ruling
coalition.

In the email magazine on May 17, the prime minister said: "An
election is an important opportunity for us to explain our views to
the people and to conduct debate. I think it is insincere to
sidestep an argument on the Constitution, which is linked to a
national vision."

On a TV program on May 20, however, Hajime Funada of the Liberal
Democratic Party, former chairman of the Constitution Council,
commented: "To amend the Constitution, it is required to obtain
support from more than two-thirds of all the Diet members. The prime
minister's view will be invalid unless the ruling parties garner
more than two-thirds of all the seats in the upcoming Upper House
election." Yukio Edano of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto),
chairman of the Constitution Research Commission, also quipped: "If
the ruling coalition fails to secure two-thirds votes, will Prime
Minister Abe step down?"

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Funada and Edano both keep in mind the outcome of the House of
Representatives election in 1955. Then Prime Minister Hatoyama
declared the goal of "winning two-thirds," but he failed to achieve
it. The cabinet resigned en masse the following year.

New Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Tetsuo Saito emphasized
on another program the same day: "I could understand if (the prime
minister) proposed making specifics in constitutional revision a
point of contention, but he has expressed his willingness to take up
the issue of revision of the Constitution itself as a campaign
issue. This is hard to understand."

8) First Lady Akie moved to tears while listening when President
Bush speak of soldiers who died in war

SANKEI (Page 5) (Full)
May 22, 2007

During a dinner party hosted by the president and his wife when they
visited the US last month, First Lady Akie, wife of Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe, was moved to tears when President Bush spoke of soldiers
who died, and the president, looking at her tears, was also
teary-eyed, according to an informed source. Such communication of
the heart solicited words of admiration of Akie from Bush during a
joint press conference held after the party, Bush said: "I have the
impression that Akie is considerate and intelligent."

Abe and his wife attended the banquet at the White House on the
night of April 26. Akie sat next to President Bush.

Akie: "What was the most heartbreaking experience to you since you
assumed the presidency?"

Bush: "It is a hard time when I meet the families of soldiers who
died (in Iraq and other wars). But I would like to meet as many
families as possible. A leader sometimes needs to make a hard
decision."

Hearing this, Akie unexpectedly had tears in her eyes. In response,
the president, with tears in his eyes, held her hand and said:
"You're a kind person."

9) Japan, US to include Australia in research on MD; Working-level
talks to start this year

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
May 22, 2007

The governments of Japan and the United States have decided to
include Australia in their joint studies on a missile defense (MD)
system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles from third
countries. They will assume possible missile launches from North
Korea and other countries. The three countries plan to set up a
working-level council composed of their division directors by the
end of the year to discuss ways to exchange intelligence and to cope
with situations.

The joint-study concept was basically agreed on when the foreign and
defense ministerial of the three countries met for the first time in
Tokyo this April. According to a senior Defense Ministry official,
"Japan, the US, and Australia will jointly discuss the Japanese and

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US plan to introduce the MD system, and the coping capacity and
operation of the system, with the aim of strengthening the security
system in the Asia-Pacific region."

Australia has yet to decide to introduce the MD system, but it is
expected to mull the possibility of installing the system in the
future while groping for operational cooperation with Japan and the
US, such as the sharing of its intelligence on missile firing.

The three countries will conduct studies on the assumption of such
scenes as a North Korean new-type intermediate-range missile or a
Chinese ballistic missile coming to Guam Island or Australia.

When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met visiting Australian Prime
Minister Howard this March, they pledged in a joint statement on
security to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Japan, the US,
and Australia. Japan and the US agreed in the Security Consultative
Committee meeting (2 + 2) held earlier by their foreign and defense
ministers to improve the capacity of the MD system.

10) Missile defense data also leaked in Aegis incident; US Navy
protests to MSDF

TOKYO (Page 1) (Abridged)
May 22, 2007

Aegis vessel data falling under the highest-level category of
"defense secret" (tokubetsu boei himitsu) was recently found to have
leaked and proliferated within the Maritime Self-Defense Force. In
this incident, data on the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3),a sea-based
intercept missile developed by the United States for ballistic
missile defense, and other latest key data had also leaked, the
Kanagawa prefectural police and the MSDF shore police discovered
yesterday.

The US Navy, strongly shocked at the MSDF's careless control of
information, delivered a stern protest to the MSDF. In the series of
data leaks, the Kanagawa police and MSDF authorities deem that data
files created by the MSDF's Program Service Unit (Development Group
at present) in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, were brought out and
spread among those trained at the MSDF's 1st Service School in
Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture. The police will thoroughly
investigate the case for indictment.

The MSDF will mount the SM-3 on its Aegis-equipped destroyers,
starting within the year. From now on, however, police
investigations could greatly affect the MSDF in building a missile
defense network.

According to the police, those data files that were found to have
leaked this time include data on the SM-3's performance as well as
data on an advanced communication system called "Link 16," which is
also employed by the US Navy for its mainstay vessels and by the US
Air Force for its military aircraft. Those data were provided by the
United States. Link 16 is used to share information between Japanese
and US forces. This system is indispensable for missile defense that
needs to exchange information without delay from early warning
satellites, according to sources. Information about the SM-3 and
Link 16 is also categorized as "defense secret" stipulated in the
Confidentiality Protection Law, which is incidental to an

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intergovernmental agreement between Japan and the United States on
mutual defense assistance cooperation. The Kanagawa police are

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investigating the case on the charge of violating the law.

11) MOD to interview all SDF personnel to prevent info leaks

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
May 22, 2007

Ryuko Tadokoro

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) yesterday decided to interview every
MOD official and every Self-Defense Forces (SDF) member totaling
250,000 more than once a year and on a regular basis regarding
information management. This decision reflects MOD's strong concern
about a series of information leaks involving SDF members. It also
aims to demonstrate Japan's attitude of stepping up efforts for
preventive maintenance concerning information ahead of concluding a
general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) as
agreed on at the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee (2+2)
meeting on May 1.

Such cases as the leak of information on the Ground Self-Defense
Force (GSDF) via the file-sharing software "Winny" and the leak of
information on the Aegis radar system have occurred since the
beginning of this year. Shocked by them, Defense Minister Fumio
Kyuma unusually instructed his ministry in mid-May to conduct
regular interviews.

The succession of leaks has made the US government distrustful of
the Japanese government. Apparently affected by this, both the
governments agreed to conclude the GSOMIA. The MOD intends to
maintain information securely through regular interviews.

12) LDP suggests SDF guard diplomatic missions abroad as part of
efforts to strengthen diplomatic capability

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
May 22, 2007

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) special panel (headed by
Yoshiro Mori) to discuss measures for strengthening Japan's
diplomatic capability is drafting a final report, aiming to release
it later this month. An outline of the report became known
yesterday. The report proposes, for instance, opening the way for
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops deployed abroad to guard Japanese
embassies and increasing the number of embassies over the next 10
years, as well as the budget for official development assistance
(ODA). The LDP intends to present the report to the government in
June so that the proposals will be reflected in a budget bill for
fiscal 2008.

Proposals shown in the report are sorted by category: (1) improving
the diplomatic base; (2) stepping up diplomatic tools, and (3)
teaming up with diplomatic players. The report stresses the need for
Japanese diplomatic missions abroad, particularly those installed in
highly dangerous countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, to be
prepared for such threats as terrorism. The report points out the
need for legislation for SDF troops deployed there, instead of
foreign private security companies, to guard diplomatic
establishments as well as protect officials working in diplomatic
missions.

Many in the party, however, are cautious about allowing the SDF to

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guard diplomatic establishments abroad with someone arguing, "It may
lead the SDF to use armed force as prohibited by Article 9 of the
Constitution." In addition, this sort of SDF's overseas security
mission may be opposed by recipient countries. This proposal has
high hurdles to clear.

The report also proposes increasing the number of embassies from the
current 120 to 150 and the number of the Foreign Ministry officials
from the current 5,500 by 2,000 over the next 10 years. The report
suggests setting numerical targets in terms of setting up new
embassies and increasing the number of officials.

13) Expert panel's chair Yanai eager to reinterpret the right to
collective defense

NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full)
May 22, 2007

Former Ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai, chair of the
government's panel to discuss the question of whether to allow the
exercise of the right to collective self-defense and other items,
yesterday delivered a speech in Tokyo, in which he again indicated
enthusiasm about reviewing the current interpretation of the
Constitution, by saying: "Given that the security environment for
Japan has changed greatly, I wonder whether our country can survive
in the future if we stick to the 60-year-old interpretation of the
Constitution."

On the question of amending the Constitution, Yanai emphasized: "In
order to resolve an immediate problem, amending the Constitution is
not a good choice because doing so takes much time." But he
continued, "Even though the problem is resolved by reinterpretation,
I think it is meaningful to have a provision to make things clear,"
indicating reinterpretation will not directly affect debate on
constitutional revision. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed
the panel to discuss four cases regarding constitutional
interpretations, including the case of intercepting ballistic
missiles aiming at the US. In this regard, Yanai pointed out: "Some
suggest we should discuss cases other than the four."

14) Yanai underlines need to exercise right to collective defense

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 22, 2007

Former Ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai, who chairs
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's panel tasked with discussing the legal
foundation for national security, delivered a speech at the Japan
National Press Club yesterday. Yanai reiterated his view that the
government should change its interpretation of the right to
collective self-defense to allow the country to exercise it, saying:
"Helping an ally leads to helping itself."

Fiscal System Council to urge government to correct increasing labor
costs for Japanese workers at US bases

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 22, 2007

The number of Japanese workers at US bases in Japan has been
increasing, while that of US troops in Japan has been decreasing,
according to Finance Ministry statistics that were presented

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yesterday by the Fiscal System Council. By simple calculation, there
are 75.9 Japanese workers per 100 US servicemen. The figure is far
higher than that of South Korea, which is 47.2, and other countries
hosting US bases. The Fiscal System Council adopted a position paper
urging the government to rectify its host-nation support in which
labor costs represent a large portion.

There were 45,939 US troops in Japan in fiscal 1978, but the number
decreased by 27 percent to 33,453 (as of September 30) in FY 2006.
Meanwhile, the number of Japanese workers at US bases increased by
20 percent from 21,017 in FY1978 to 25,403 in FY2006. The number has
markedly grown since April 1991 when the Japanese government began
shouldering the basic salaries of Japanese workers in accordance
with a special agreement with the United States.

The number of local employees per 100 US servicemen is 47.2 in South
Korea, 43.1 in Italy, and 30.8 in Germany. Except for Japan, their
labor costs are being paid by the US military.

Cafeteria counter attendants numbering 715 represent the largest
portion of the Japanese workers. They make an average of 3.34
million yen a year with the maximum being 5.39 million yen. The next
largest group is security guards totaling 458 who make 5.75 million
yen on the average, the maximum being 9.5 million yen.

The Finance Ministry intends to reflect its reduction policy in
Japan-US talks in or after fiscal 2008 when the bilateral special
agreement expires.

15) New US base in Okinawa: Coral reef damaged during survey;
Environmental group demands suspension

AKAHATA SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
May 22, 2007

The Naha Defense Facilities Administration Bureau (NDFAB) has
forcibly conducted a preliminary survey for the construction of a
new US military base. In this connection, it was found that a coral
reef was damaged during the survey. Members of an environmental
group yesterday lodged a protest, calling for suspension of the
survey.

Takuma Higashionna, chief of the secretariat of the Dugong
Protection Fund Committee, revealed the situation and lodged a
strong protest during the prefectural citizens council's activities
to make a request to the NDFAB in opposition to the relocation of
base facilities. He called for immediate suspension of the survey.
NDFAB chief Tsutomu Sato, who met with Higashionna, pledged to
investigate the matter, noting, "We would like to determine what has
happened."

According to Higashionna and Takenobu Tsuchida, chief of the
secretariat of the Dugong Network Okinawa, the survey in question

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was carried out on the morning of May 20. Equipment to observe coral
spawning was placed right above coral reefs about 2 km from Henoko
with reinforcing bars to fix the facilities pierced into the living
coral reefs.

Higashionna said, "Coral lives near the location where the equipment
was installed. You can observe spawning with the human eye. It is
absolutely impermissible to destroy the natural environment spending
tax money worth several billion yen for unnecessary research."

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16) Prevention of global warming: Introduction of numerical targets
in final G-8 summit declaration now impossible; Japan, US negative
toward idea

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
May 22, 2007

Berlin, Morihiko Koyama

Preliminary talks are now being held on the drafting of a final
declaration on global warming to be released at the G-8 summit to be
held in Heiligendamm, Germany. In this connection, it was found
yesterday that it is now extremely difficult to include numerical
targets, the idea the host nation Germany had called on other
participating countries to agree.

The draft memorandum by one negotiator, which the Mainichi Shimbun
has obtained, shows that numerical targets, which were included in
the initial draft, and large portions of the perception of the
present state of climate change have been either deleted or
modified.

A showcase proposal by Germany aimed at having other participants
take part in Europe's progressive approach has been deleted. The
proposal included cooperation among participants to hold down global
warming to an increase of 2 degrees Centigrade and the need to
achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 10-15 years.

According to a German official in charge, European participants are
generally in favor of the adoption of numerical targets. However,
the US and Canada are strongly opposing the proposal. Russia and
Japan are also negative toward the idea. German Chancellor MERKEL
remains positive, noting, "I will continue talks up to the last
minute." However, the dominant view among government officials is
that it will be impossible to reach an agreement.

17) Global warming: Forests fall short of absorbing CO2 due to
insufficient tree maintenance effort; Households, companies likely
to be urged to make more energy-conserving effort

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
Evening, May 21, 2007

(Commentary) Insufficient maintenance of forests has become a
problem, because it determines whether Japan can achieve its target
of cutting global warming gas emissions or not.

Japan has pledged to the world to achieve a 6 percent cut in CO2
emissions, compared with the 1990 level. However, its carbon
emissions in 2005 saw an 8 percent increase, meaning that it must
cut such emissions by 14.1 percent by the deadline.

Provided that Japan fails to achieve a 3.8 percent absorption of
emissions by forests, companies and households would have to cover
that portion.

The estimated amount of carbon emissions that forests can absorb per
unit area is 10 times more than that of Russia and Canada, which
have vast stretches of forests. Japan was allowed to cover the
targeted reduction amount with absorption by forests because it
strongly called for the inclusion of forest absorptions of CO2 in

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the calculations of its reduction achievements in return for
accepting a severe reduction target.

Forests absorb CO2, a representative greenhouse gas. Further, if
lumbers are used as fuel or as substitute for iron or aluminum, it
is possible to curb the consumption of petroleum and coal.

The use of lumber from man-made forests planted during an expansive
aforestation period has yet to become full scale. Now is a good
opportunity to revive forests that have not received proper
maintenance because the price competitiveness of domestic lumbers is
becoming strong due to an increase in global demand for lumbers.
Revitalizing the forest industry will become a driving force to
promote tree thinning without depending on subsidies.

SCHIEFFER