DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/28/07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 002944 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 06/28/07 INDEX: (1) Upper House election: Will ABE step down from the prime minister's post if LDP fails to win more than 44 seats? Uno resigned with 36 seats, Hashimoto with 44 (2) 2007 Upper House election: Abe's "friends" groping in the dark (3) Editorial: Comfort-women resolution - There is also a problem with Abe's diplomatic stance (4) Editorial: Prime Minister should perceive the seriousness of US House comfort-women resolution (5) Ex-Prime Minister Miyazawa dies: senior LDP member ARTICLES: (1) Upper House election: Will ABE step down from the prime minister's post if LDP fails to win more than 44 seats? Uno resigned with 36 seats, Hashimoto with 44 TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) June 28, 2007 A tug-of-war has been intensifying in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over the number of Upper House seats won by the LDP that will force Prime Minister SHINZO ABE to resign from his post to take responsibility for the result. LDP members, who are critical of Abe, have asserted that if the party suffers a crashing defeat, he should naturally step down, with an eye on the 44 seats that the LDP obtained in the 1998 Upper House election, forcing then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to resign after accepting responsibility for the loss. Lawmakers close to ABE have taken precautions against the above assertion, noting, "There would no need for Prime Minister Abe to resign even if the ruling coalition is defeated." Criticism of ABE will inevitably grow as long as he does not make any headway due to the pension record mismanagement fiasco. After the current regular Diet session was extended under the initiative of Abe, who aims to enact bills amending the National Civil Service Law to clamp down on the practice of amakudari or placing retired bureaucrats into high-paying posts at private firms in the industries they oversaw, calls for ABE to assume responsibility for the results of the July Upper House election have been raised, with Taku Yamasaki, former LDP vice president, saying, "He should take due responsibility if the ruling coalition suffers a major defeat." In contrast to Yamasaki's view, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, members of the Machimura SIPDIS faction, to which ABE used to belong, and former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, former member of the faction, have insisted: "There would be no need for ABE to resign as prime minister in case the ruling camp is defeated. Mori stressed in a speech on June 25: "The Upper House election is like a midterm test (for the administration). It will not be an election to risk the reins of government." However, Sosuke Uno was forced to quit the prime minister's post to assume responsibility for the result of the 1989 Upper house election, in which the LDP won only 36 seats; and Prime Minister TOKYO 00002944 002 OF 007 Hashimoto had to resign to take responsibility for the result of the 1998 election. Regarding the results of the upcoming election, the dominant view in the LDP is that if the party suffers a crushing defeat, it is impossible for ABE to remain in office. Observers see the view in the Machimura faction as a "pickoff throw" to decrease the number of seats that would force ABE to quit the prime minister's post. In order for the ruling coalition to keep its majority in the Upper House, they must win 64 seats. Even if the New Komeito keeps its 13 seats, which it won in the 2001 election, the LDP will have to secure 51 seats. Should the LDP fall short of a majority, it still has an option to uphold the rains of government by allying with the People's New Party (two seats up for grabs and two seats not up for reelection), which has implied a possibility of corporation with the LDP, as well as with independent lawmakers. Since the LDP has not found any candidates to replace Abe, chances are that the view calling for ABE to assume responsibility will not become stronger. However, should the LDP end up with many seats short of a majority, calls for ABE to assume responsibility will inevitably become stronger. Referring to the results of the Upper House election in 1998, when he was serving as secretary general of the LDP, Koichi Kato stated at a press conference on June 26: "Both Prime Minister Hashimoto and I submitted resignations as a matter of course." He indicated in his remarks that the 44-seat line that put an end to the Hashimoto government is the dividing line for Abe. An LDP source also pointed out: "Chances are that if the LDP ended up with less than 45 seats, the prime minister will be replaced." Abe has not mentioned his responsibility, emphasizing that the LDP will win in all electoral districts. There seems to be no doubt that winning only 44 seats would determine the fate of the ABE administration. (2) 2007 Upper House election: Abe's "friends" groping in the dark ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) June 28, 2007 Seiichi Eto and other "friends" of Prime Minister SHINZO ABE who are running in the upcoming House of Councillors election as Liberal Democratic Party-sponsored proportional representation candidates have been pushing against all odds Abe's priorities, such as educational reform and the abduction issue. Whether or not their efforts result in votes remains to be seen. Seiichi Eto prioritizes Constitution over pension "We have been working hard, believing that rescuing the victims kidnapped by North Korea is the state's responsibility. I want to make Japan into a beautiful country which everyone can be proud of." This video message by Seiichi Eto was shown to some 300 supporters at his fund-raising party held in a Fukuoka hotel yesterday. Eto lost his House of Representatives seat in the general election TOKYO 00002944 003 OF 007 in 2005 when he ran as an independent after having being expelled from the LDP as a result of his opposing the postal privatization plan. Eto was allowed to rejoin the LDP this March owing to Abe's strong push. Changing hats, he is going to seek an Upper House seat in the upcoming election. ABE once described Eto as a close friend basically sharing the same views. Eto was introduced in the videotape shown at the party as Abe's comrade who has fought with him for constitutional revision and other matters essential to the country. "Prime Minister ABE has handpicked Mr. Eto under a difficult situation," a support group executive said in a speech. Eto's campaign style is clearly distinct from that of other LDP candidates. He neither focuses on the pension issue nor works closely with the New Komeito. The Since the New Komeito feared Eto's candidacy would cause disarray in campaign cooperation with its coalition partner, the LDP, it reacted negatively. This forced the LDP leadership to warn Eto not to conduct campaign activities in Oita, though this is his home turf. The LDP leadership even urged Eto not to attend yesterday's party. This can explain why Eto has focused on Abe's original policy agenda. Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference) Chairman Toru Miyoshi and other conservative group executives showed up at Eto's party held in Tokyo on June 11. Eto's supporters consist mainly of social welfare organizations, political groups comprised of academics close to Abe, and religious organizations. Eto declared at the June 11 party: "Our goal is to review the education system as soon as possibly, begin nation-rebuilding to make Japan into an ideal country, and establish a new constitution. To that end, I will risk everything in the upcoming election." Ex-delinquent now charismatic educator Hiroyuki Yoshiie prepared to face uphill battle Hiroyuki Yoshiie, known as "bad boy teacher" and a high-ranking member of the Education Rebuilding Council, has also decided to run in the proportional representation bloc. In response to Abe's request on June 25 to run in the race to display his charismatic leadership in the political scene, Yoshiie said: "A headwind is blowing. The ABE cabinet is also facing a headwind. I will do my best to protect the children." Votes for Kyoko Nakayama as positive assessments of Abe's abduction policy Kyoko Nakayama, advisor to the prime minister on the abduction issue, told a pep rally held for her in Tokyo yesterday: "North Korea is closely watching how the upcoming election turns out. I will run in the race in which the public will make a decision on the prime minister's top priority issue." Nakayama was also the responsible official for the abduction issue when ABE served as chief cabinet secretary under the Koizumi cabinet. As prime minister, ABE appointed Nakayama as one of his five advisors and asked her to run in the race on the LDP ticket. Votes for Nakayama would be taken as positive assessments of Abe's North Korea policy. On June 11, Nakayama explained the reason for her candidacy this TOKYO 00002944 004 OF 007 way: "I hope a lot of people will express their support for the abduction issue by voting for me. It will be a strong message to North Korea." ABE also delivered the following video message in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, on June 16: "Resolving the abduction issue is my cabinet's top priority. I will aim at rescuing all abductees with the help of advisor Nakayama." Focusing merely on the abduction issue might not put Nakayama at an advantage. Talks on the abduction issue between Japan and North Korea remain stalled, while the international community's move for resolving the nuclear issue is gaining momentum. "Her candidacy can be a double-edged sword. If she can collect a large number of votes, it would be seen as pressure on North Korea. But it could end up the other way around," warned Nariaki Nakayama, Kyoko Nakayama's husband and a former education and science minister, on June 4 in response to his request. Not discouraged, ABE successfully convinced Nakayama, saying, "I'm aware of that, but education and the abduction issue are my top priorities." The LDP has not assigned any support groups to Nakayama. Flyers prepared by her supporters association carry a picture of Nakayama descending the plane in 2002 along with five repatriated abductees from North Korea. On the list of her supporters are families of victims of kidnapped by North Korea. "Her failure to win a large number of votes might embolden North Korea," a former cabinet minister said. (3) Editorial: Comfort-women resolution - There is also a problem with Abe's diplomatic stance MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) June 28, 2007 The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted a resolution demanding an apology from the Japanese government in connection with the wartime comfort-women issue. The resolution says: "The Japanese government should officially apologize for its Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women into sexual slavery." On the comfort-women issue, this is the second resolution adopted by the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, following the one in September of last year. This time, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi throwing her weight behind it, the resolution is likely to be adopted by the full House next month for the first time. In the 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, the Japanese government admitted the Japanese Imperial Army's coercion of young women into sexual slavery, saying: "Japan extends its sympathy and regrets (to the comfort women)." Prime Minister SHINZO ABE upholds the Kono statement. He offered an apology when he met President Bush and congressional members during his visit to the US this April. In the US, there are some who defend Japan, like Senator Daniel Inoue saying: "Seeing the recent moves in the US in connection with the comfort-women issue, I feel it is regrettable. Despite repeated apologies by Japanese prime ministers, I wonder why an affair of this sort happens constantly. " Nonetheless, Japan's position was not understood, and the resolution was adopted. It is extremely regrettable. TOKYO 00002944 005 OF 007 Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said: "We should not make any comments on a resolution adopted by another country's parliament." Although it is certainly a resolution of another country's parliament, we must seriously take what the lawmakers representing the American people expressed in their vote. Under the current situation, the relationship between Japan and the US might be adversely affected. Japan is required to make a proper response so that bilateral relations will not be damaged. Prime Minister Abe's remarks were also one factor that led to the current situation. In Diet replies in March, ABE denied the government's "coercion in a narrow sense," saying: "There was no evidence (in the data) to prove coercive recruitment by military personnel or constituted authorities." The prime minister had expressed a view critical of the Kono Statement before assuming office. Given this, the prime minister's remarks were taken as expressing his support for reviewing the Kono Statement, and ABE eventually came under heavy fire mainly from the US media. When he visited the US this April, the prime minister expressed his feelings of apology, but the words did not work effectively to persuade the Congress to drop the resolution. In addition, lawmakers, including former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takeo Hiranuma, and commentators posted an advertisement in the June 14 issue of an American newspaper in which they denied the allegation of government's coercion in the recruitment of comfort women. This move resulted in prompting the Congress to adopt the resolution, with committee Chairman Tom Lantos refuting: "These are ridiculous assertions that counter the facts." Hiranuma released a statement yesterday stating: "The resolution based on an erroneous perception of the facts could create a major fissure in the bilateral relationship." But it is also true that their assertions denying coercive recruitment were not understood by the US Congress. The Asia Women's Fund, which was disbanded at the end of March, continued to send compensation money and prime ministers' letters of apology to comfort women. The Japanese government, however, has not made similar efforts to solicit understanding from the global audience. It is now necessary for the prime minister, without dismissing the comfort-women issue as "another country's matter," to take the lead in explaining in a sincere manner Japan's position, based on the Kono Statement. (4) Editorial: Prime Minister should perceive the seriousness of US House comfort-women resolution ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) June 28, 2007 The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted a resolution on the comfort-women issue by 39-2 calling on the Japanese government to officially acknowledge and take full responsibility, and apologize. The resolution is likely to be approved by the full House in July. The US Congress has denounced before the international community that Japan has not reflected on its past conduct. This criticism carries a heavy meaning. TOKYO 00002944 006 OF 007 The Asahi Shimbun has asserted that politicians should squarely tackle issues connected with historical views, such as the prime minister's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the comfort-women issue. Our assertion is based on the judgment that words and actions that could be interpreted as intended to justify Japan's prewar deeds and values may affect international trust in Japan. It is truly regrettable that things have come to this serious pass. We feel ashamed and vexing that Japan has been viewed as such a country (as described in the resolution). Even so, the resolution does not refer to the fact that successive prime ministers have sent letters of apologies to the former comfort women. It does not clarify how it has interpreted the Kono Statement, in which the government admitted the government's coercion and apologized, either. In this sense, there are some doubts about the resolution. As said in the resolution, it is true that there were moves to criticize the Kono Statement and deliberations on proposed changes in wording. Japan must seriously take a message from the resolution criticizing the inhumanity of the comfort-women issue. Some observers point out a failure in Japan's strategic move. An advertisement refuting the comfort-women resolution was posted in the Washington Post this month. This move reignited the receded dispute on the issue. The advertisement criticized the resolution as "intentionally distorting the facts," with the names of about 40 lawmakers belonging to ruling or opposition parties, as well as diplomatic commentators who are advisors to the prime minister attached to it. The full-page ad was certainly strange. It might be true that the ad spoiled the apology offered by the prime minister when he visited the US in April. Japanese politics has skirted its wartime history properly. This is indisputably the essence of the problem. Prime Minister ABE said: "This is one of the many resolutions that the US Congress has passed," and "I do not intend to make any comment." This stance is outrageous. Japan has been under fire and has been dogged by doubts. Detailing the Kono Statement and the efforts made by the Asia Women Fund, the government should speak of its historical views. The prime minister has stressed "common values" as the foundation of the Japan-US alliance. But ABE does not understand that the adoption of the resolution by the US House is a problem that concerns its values. After the end of WWII, Japan made efforts and grew itself into a democratic country respecting freedom and human rights. It also deeply self-reflected on its acts of aggression and colonial rule. But if Japan gives an impress that its self-reflection is swaying, (the international community) may harbor doubts about its values. The international community has stern eyes toward Japan's effort to address its past deeds since former Prime Minister Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine. We wonder if Japan's democracy is remaining steady. The US resolution should be taken as a warning to Japan. TOKYO 00002944 007 OF 007 (5) Ex-Prime Minister Miyazawa dies: senior LDP member TOKYO, June 28 KYODO Former Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa has died, a senior member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Thursday. He was 87. SCHIEFFER