JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/02/07-1

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/02/07-1 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials Prime Minister's weekend schedule: Mostly campaign-related activities Opinion polls: 3) Asahi poll: ABE Cabinet support rate sinks to lowest ever, 28 % , rivaling unpopularity of former Mori administration 4) Mainichi poll shows 52 % non-support rate for ABE Cabinet, with majority of public unhappy about prime minister's handling of pension issue Kyuma flap: 5) Defense Minister Kyuma: "Atomic bombings of Japan could not be helped" 6) Text of Kyuma's remarks justifying US use of atomic bombs to end war 7) Opposition parties blast Kyuma for atomic-bombing remarks 8) Ruling parties perplexed by Kyuma's atomic-bombing remarks, fear they could impact on the Upper House election 9) Prime Minister Abe: Defense minister was just introducing US view 10) Opposition camp demands Kyuma's dismissal for atomic-bombing remarks 11) ABE rejects calls for dismissing Kyuma, though admits remarks were inappropriate Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Poll: Cabinet approval rate declines to low of 28 % Mainichi: Poll: Cabinet disapproval rate rises to new high of 52 % Yomiuri, Sankei: Abe, Ozawa lock horns in debate ahead of Upper House election Nikkei: Japan's economy growing driven by domestic, external demand Tokyo Shimbun: Abe refuses to dismiss Defense Minister Kyuma Akahata: Kyuma's atomic bombing remark demonstrates unfitness for office 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Heated debate expected ahead of Upper House election (2) Kyuma's appalling atomic bombing remarks Mainichi: (1) Kyuma's thoughtless and dishonorable remarks (2) Abe-Ozawa debate needed more heat TOKYO 00002979 002 OF 007 Yomiuri: (1) SIA officials must lose public servant status (2) More party-head debates needed Nikkei: (1) Campaign issues now clear with Abe-Ozawa debate (2) Kyuma unfit for office Sankei: (1) Four-party talks must not replace six-party talks (2) Preservation of cultural assets deserves thorough discussion Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Kyuma's atomic bombing remarks expose his ignorance (2) Hong Kong marks 10 years since reversion Akahata: (1) National Life White Paper needs viewpoint of social solidarity 3) OPINION Poll: Cabinet support hits new low of 28 % ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged) July 2, 2007 The ABE cabinet's support rate hit a record low in the Asahi Shimbun's telephone-based eighth public opinion survey conducted on June 30 and July 1, with the Diet having essentially ended its ordinary session. ABE was enthusiastic about reforming the Social Insurance Agency and revising the National Public Service Law. He has just had relevant bills get through the Diet. All the more for this reason, the survey's results were severe for him. In the survey this time, the ABE cabinet's support rate was 28 % (31 % in the last survey). The lowest figure in the past was 30 % , which was shown in the fourth serial survey taken June 2-3. This time, the ABE cabinet's support rate was below 30 % for the first time. The ABE cabinet's nonsupport rate was 48 % , the same as in the last survey. The cabinet support rate last dropped below 30 % when the Mori cabinet was in office, though the results of previous polls and the one taken this time cannot be simply compared due to different polling methodologies. The ABE cabinet's support rate, after dropping to 30 % , stayed low at 34 % , 32 % , and 31 % . Among men, its support rate was 24 % this time, showing a substantial drop from 36 % in the last survey, with its nonsupport rate rising to 52 % from 50 % in the last survey). Among those in their 20s to 50s, the support rate was low at around 20 % . Among those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the ABE cabinet's support rate was a record low of 64 % , failing to reach 70 % for the first time. In the current Diet session, the ruling coalition rammed pension and other bills through the Diet. Respondents were asked if they appreciated the ABE cabinet's response to the issue of the government's pension record-keeping flaws. In response to this question, 24 % answered "yes," with 59 % saying "no." When it comes to the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto),27 % answered "yes" to that party's response over the pension issue, with 45 % saying "no." The survey shows the public's severe view of the ABE cabinet. TOKYO 00002979 003 OF 007 In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the LDP stood at 25 % (27 % in the last survey),with the DPJ at 16 % (15 % ). New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, was at 3 % (4 % ). The Japanese Communist Party was at 2 % (2 % ),and the Social Democratic Party (Shaminto) at 1 % (1 % ). 4) Poll: Cabinet nonsupport at 52 % MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged) July 2, 2007 The Mainichi Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public opinion survey on June 30 and July 1. The rate of public support for Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and his cabinet was 32 % , the same as in the last survey taken in May. However, the nonsupport rate for the Abe cabinet reached 52 % , up 8 percentage points. The figure is the worst since the ABE cabinet came into office in September last year. Asked about the government's pension record-keeping flaws, a total of 74 % answered that they would factor in the issue when voting in the upcoming election for the House of Councillors. As seen from the figure, the pension issue is now a major point of contention in campaigning for the election. In addition, a total of 63 % gave negative answers when asked if they appreciate the government and ruling parties' efforts to handle the pension fiasco. A total of 23 % answered "no" to a question asking if they would factor in the pension issue when voting in the election, and only 32 % answered "yes" to a question asking if they appreciated the government and ruling parties' efforts to deal with the pension issue. The figures show that the pension issue is a minus factor for the governing parties and one of the likely causes of the rise in the disapproval rating for the ABE cabinet. 5) Defense Minister Kyuma: Atomic bombings couldn't be helped ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 1, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma stated in a speech on June 30 in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture: "Many Nagasaki people suffered by the US atomic bombing, but I understand the bombing in Nagasaki put an end to the war. I think it was something that couldn't be helped." His remarks might be taken as justifying the US atomic bombings. Opposition parties appear likely to call on Prime Minister SHINZO Abe to sack him. Kyuma's remarks are now creating a controversy. 6) Gist of Defense Minister Kyuma's remarks on atomic bombings YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) July 1, 2007 The following is a gist of the remarks about the atomic bombings of Japan made by Defense Minister Kyuma in a speech on June 30: Although the United States knew that Japan would lose the war, it dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By dropping a bomb on TOKYO 00002979 004 OF 007 Nagasaki, the US reasoned that Japan would surrender if it went that far. In that case, the US thought it could stop the Soviet Union from joining battle, for on August 9, the USSR began to invade Manchuria and other places. Fortunately, the war ended on August 15, without the Soviet Union having occupied Hokkaido. However, mistakes could have led to the Soviet taking over Hokkaido. If at the time, it took over Hokkaido, there would have been nothing anybody could have done. Although countless numbers of people suffered a great tragedy, in my mind it could not have been helped in order to end the war. On that, I do not hold any grudge toward the United States. But I still wonder if it was necessary for them to have used the bombs, knowing that they were winning the war. 7) Defense Minister Kyuma's remarks on atomic bombings blasted by opposition parties YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) July 1, 2007 In reaction to Defense Minister Kyuma's statement on June 30 that the dropping of atom bombs on Japan by the United States "couldn't be helped," Hiroko Hatakeyama, deputy director of the Hiroshima Prefecture federation of atomic-bomb victim groups stated: "Have all those people who died because of the atomic bombings died because it couldn't be helped? I feel that the feelings of the atomic-bomb victims have not been transmitted to the Japanese government, and I am so sad that words escape me." Hearing such views, Social Democratic Party head Fukushima stated, "I can't sense there was any thought toward the atom-bomb victims (in Kyuma's words)." She issued a statement seeking the resignation of Defense Minister Kyuma. Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) Deputy President Kan met the press along with Secretary General Kamei of the Peoples New Party and said: "He is totally unqualified to be defense minister." 8-1) Kyuma remarks perplex ruling party; Could impact on the election NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged) July 1, 2007 Widespread confusion hit the government and the ruling party on June 30 in reaction to Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma's comment that the dropping of atomic bombs by the US on Japan "couldn't be helped." Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and others have tried to quell the issue, but because of Japan's status as the only nation to have suffered from atomic bombings and the feelings of atom-bomb survivors, the ripples from his comment could last a long while. The prime minister yesterday seemed to take the view that there was no problem with the content of the defense minister's remarks, saying, "I understand he was presenting the United States' way of thinking (in those days). I am told that he also had mentioned the anger felt in places affected by the atomic bombing. LDP Secretary-General Hidenao Nakagawa stated, "I think that was his personal opinion. It appears that the defense minister has issued a statement, so I think the misunderstanding will be cleared up." These comments came at a time when the Diet, having clashed over the TOKYO 00002979 005 OF 007 pension fiasco, has basically ended its session and lawmakers were shifting focus to the upcoming election. Aides to the prime minister were not pleased with the latest remarks but are preparing to calm the situation. The ruling camp is deeply perplexed, with New Komeito head Akihiro Ota saying, "(The defense minister's) true intent may be very different." He added, "If there is something that could bring about a misunderstanding, an explanation is required." Yoichi Masuzoe, an LDP member of the House of Councillors commented, "Now we have given the opposition more material to use," adding, "Votes from Hiroshima and Nagasaki will now surely decrease during the next election." 8-2) Kyuma's apology for A-bomb comment: Ruling camp concerned about adverse impact on Upper House election MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma apologized yesterday for his comment on the atomic bombings in 1945 by the United States. The apology came as Kyuma bowed to mounting pressure from the Kantei and the ruling camp. Members in the ruling parties, which face an uphill campaign for the upcoming House of Councillors election over pensions and other issues, are concerned that they could face a tougher time due to the Kyuma remark. The opposition camp is ready to intensify its attack against the ruling parties over the newly emerging issue, in addition to pensions. Prime Minister SHINZO ABE conveyed to Kyuma through his secretary on June 30, when Kyuma made the controversial remark, that he should be concerned. But Kyuma, who appeared unconcerned, refused to retract his comment on a TV program yesterday morning. In response, Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Shoichi Nakagawa, who also appeared on the same program, had to suggest to Kyuma: "You had better apologize." Further, a senior New Komeito member made a phone call to a close aide to the prime minister and sought an additional response by saying, "His true intention should be clarified." Aware of such an atmosphere in the ruling parties, Kyuma told LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa on the phone in early afternoon of the same day, "I will retract the comment" and later gave a press conference in Nagasaki. With Kyuma's apology and the prime minister's rejection of the possibility of dismissing him, the ruling bloc intends to put an end to the issue, with Secretary General Nakagawa saying: "Since the defense minister apologized and retracted (the comment),the issue will not have a serious impact." But the opposition camp is poised to thoroughly pursue Kyuma over his controversial remarks, including a call for his resignation. Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama directed his criticism at the prime SIPDIS minister during a gathering yesterday in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, saying, "Mr. Kyuma should resign from his ministerial post, but the prime minister is trying to defend him." 9) Prime Minister Abe: Defense minister just introduced US view on atomic bombings TOKYO 00002979 006 OF 007 TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) July 1, 2007 In a speech the city of Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Prime Minister Shinzo ABE revealed his perception that there was no problem with Defense Ministry Fumio Kyuma's remarks that the US bombing in Nagasaki was something that couldn't be helped. ABE stated: "I understand that he just introduced the US way of thinking. I have heard that he has mentioned his view that how Nagasaki suffered from the atomic bombing." Abe then stressed: "Eliminating nuclear weapons is Japan's mission. I think Japan has played a leading role in the United Nations." 10) Defense Minister Kyuma's comment on atomic bombings: Opposition parties intend to seek dismissal YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2007 Defense Minister Kyuma yesterday held a press conference to apologize for his comments. However, opposition parties are geared up to continue to seek his dismissal from Prime Minister Abe, saying that he has not taken back his comment that the atomic bombings were unavoidable and that his apology was insufficient. Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) Secretary General Hatoyama yesterday told reporters: "He did not say that he made a mistake. His apology is not acceptable at all." Japanese Communist Party General Secretary Ichita also criticized Kyuma: "The fact that he made that comment remains. The defense minister should be dismissed. The government and the ruling parties are trying to calm the situation, surprised at the heavy criticism his comment has brought. We will pursue this incident." Social Democratic Party head Fukushima told reporters: "We will demand the dismissal of Mr. Kyuma. We will make his comment a campaign issue for the Upper House election." 11) Prime Minister ABE refuses to dismiss Kyuma despite his remarks, but recognizes them as inappropriate TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Full) July 2, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and the opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa took part in a one-on-one debate and a meeting (hosted by the People's Council for Building a New Japan) held at a Tokyo hotel to examine each party's manifesto. In the debate, ABE talked about Defense Minister Kyuma's recent comments that America's use of atomic bombs was "inevitable" and acknowledged that they were inappropriate, noting: "Prudence is required not to make remarks that could give a false impression to the public." However, ABE indicated he would reject the calls from the opposition parties for the dismissal of Kyuma, saying: "Japan's mission is to eliminate nuclear weapons. I expect Mr. Kyuma as defense minister to demonstrate his capability to do so from now on as well." Ozawa criticized Kyuma for his comments: "He essentially spoke for America. As a minister, he lacked common sense, and his remarks were inappropriate." Also, Ozawa asserted, "Japan should seek an apology TOKYO 00002979 007.2 OF 007 from the United States (for its dropping of atomic-bombs) and discuss the matter." In response, ABE rebutted: "Japan's responsibility is to aim for abolition of nuclear weapons instead of devoting energy to calling on the US to apologize." SCHIEFFER