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: 12) Kyuma retracts atomic-bomb statement and apologizes 13) Kyuma on Sunday TV show: US dropping of atomic bombs on Japan was unnecessary 14) Kyuma, having apologized, must explain what he meant by his atomic remarks to the ruling parties 15) In debate, ABE says Kyuma was misunderstood, but Minshuto head Ozawa rebuts, saying the US should apologize to Japan for dropping atomic bombs 16) Abe, Ozawa debate starts the election campaign for the Upper House race 17) Citing need to maintain a "robust Japan-US alliance," Abe's advisory panel on collective self-defense would allow Japan to intercept missiles bound for US 18) Foreign Minister Aso tells Iran's vice foreign minister that Iran needs to have transparency in its nuclear program 19) Concerned LDP lawmakers in letter, as US Congress to hold off vote on House resolution on comfort women 20) Declassified document shows US President knew of 1969 secret pact on Okinawa 21) JETRO to be privatized as part of speedy reform of independent administrative agencies Articles: 12) Kyuma apologizes and retracts his comments TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) July 2, 2007 At noon yesterday, Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma at a press briefing in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture, talked about his comments in a speech on the previous day that the dropping of atomic-bombs (on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during WWII) "couldn't be helped" and apologized by noting: "My position of not condoning the use of atomic bombs has not changed, but given news reports on my comments, it appears that there was something wrong with the way in which I spoke. I'm sorry that I troubled the public and the victims of the atomic bombs." Saying, "I won't make comments as I did in the recent speech in the future," Kyuma in effect retracted his controversial comments. When he appeared on a Fuji-TV talk show earlier in the day, Kyuma noted: "I don't think it is necessary to correct my comments. If they gave a false impression, I must make a detailed explanation." But he came under criticism even from senior members of the ruling parties. Hidenao Nakagawa, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),who joined the talk show on the phone, also advised Kyuma: "You had better retract your comments." Afterwards, heeding the Kantei's concern about a possible impact on the Upper House election, Kyuma appeared to change his attitude. Shoichi Nakagawa, chairman of the LDP Policy Research Council, stressed; "My perception is different from his. He should give a proper account and he should apologize if necessary." The junior TOKYO 00002982 002 OF 007 coalition partner New Komeito's policy chief Tetsuo Saito, as well, criticized Kyuma: "No cabinet member should make such comments. If he made such comments in the context that the dropping of the atomic bombs couldn't be helped, that simply rubbed the public the wrong way." Following him, New Komeito's Public Relations Bureau Chief Yosuke Takagi also pointed out: "Those comments are outrageous and inappropriate in any case." Opposition parties, as well, criticized Kyuma, with the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan's (Minshuto) policy chief Takeaki Matsumoto arguing, "The use of atomic weapons can never be justified." The Japanese Communist Party's (JCP) policy chief Akira Koike made this critical comment: "His comments were far from common sense." The Social Democratic Party's policy chief Tomoko ABE called for Kyuma's resignation. At a press conference, Kyuma explained: "I wanted to say that we need to see the other side's intention by explaining the background that the United States, upon noticing that the Soviet Union was going to join the war, dropped atomic bombs, but what I said was taken to condone the dropping of atomic bombs." "I troubled my colleagues in the party as well. I want to talk about this to appropriate officials of both the LDP and New Komeito," Kyuma added. 13) "Hodo 2001" aired on July 1: Defense Minister Kyuma says, "The dropping of atomic bombs was not necessary" SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) July 2, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma explained his recent controversial comments that the dropping of atomic bombs "couldn't be helped." -- What was the real intention of your comments? Kyuma: "At a meeting (where I gave a speech),I was asked, 'Will Japan be targeted if it lets its guard down?' I then cited the case (of the US) to explain that we must discern the other side's intentions. (During late days of World War II),Japan was unable to conceive that the Soviet Union would join the war, but the United States was aware of that intention of the Soviet Union and moved to drive Japan into surrender by using atomic weapons. Our country failed to see the Soviet Union's intention, but it's no use lamenting this at present." -- Do you think the dropping of atomic bombs could not be helped? Kyuma: "No. I also said at the meeting that dropping the atomic bombs was unnecessary. There's no use regretting past events. Anyway, that put an end to the war, so we need to be reconciled to that. I don't think I need to revise my comments, but if they gave a misunderstanding, I must give a detailed account." 14) Defense minister apologizes for atomic bombing statement: Plans to explain his intention to ruling parties YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2007 Defense Minister Kyuma, elected for the Lower House from the Nagasaki Constituency No. 2, commented in a speech given on July 30 TOKYO 00002982 003 OF 007 that the atomic bombings by the US of Hiroshima and Nagasaki could not have been helped. Concerning this comment, he held a press conference at yesterday noon at a hotel in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture and offered an apology: "I feel very sorry for the people of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and all over Japan. I will never ever make such a comment in the future." Prior to this press conference, LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa yesterday morning phoned Kyuma and advised him, "If you go to Nagasaki, you'd better make an apology." New Komeito head Ota also told Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki on the phone, "It will be no good if Kyuma does not properly offer an apology to the public or convey his true meaning." Voices calling for an early apology from Kyuma have thus been growing in the party with the Upper House election just ahead. During the press conference, Kyuma acknowledged that his comments were careless, noting, "I did not mean to defend the US decision to drop the bombs. I wanted to say that there is no turning back if we fail to see the other party's true intention regarding peace and security. However, I could have made that point without referencing the atomic bombings. When I said that they were unavoidable, I meant that the US made the decision to use atomic weapons to end the war. Such a comment has given rise a serious misunderstanding. To begin with, I should not have used such words." Asked about his future approach, he said: "The more I explain my true intention, the more the situation becomes chaotic. What has been said cannot be undone. I cannot condone the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I will continue to firmly maintain my basic stance toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. I would like people to watch my actions." He also indicated his plan to explain shortly what he really meant to the ruling parties, saying: "I have caused trouble to the ruling parties. It was careless of me to make a comment that opponents can use." Following Kyuma's apology, Nakagawa yesterday afternoon told reporters in Miyazaki City, "I take it as an apology to the people." He thus indicated his stance of trying to end the issue over his comments. Asked about the possible impact of Kyuma's comments on the upcoming Upper House election, he said, "Since he offered an apology, there will be no serious impact." 15) Abe: "Making any comment that gives a false impression should be avoided"; Ozawa: "The government should demand an apology from the US for dropping atomic bombs" YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2007 Referring to Defense Minister Kyuma's comment that the atomic bombings by the US could not have been helped, Prime Minister ABE during a meeting with Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) head Ozawa expressed his position that Kyuma's comment was inappropriate. He said, "We must be careful so as not to make any comment that could give a false impression to the public." He made this reply to a question asked by Ozawa. Ozawa said: "Mr. Kyuma spoke for the US. It was inappropriate for any state minister to make such a comment." However, the prime minister at the same time touched on Kyuma's apology for his comment. He indicated his position of not addressing TOKYO 00002982 004 OF 007 opposition parties' demand for his dismissal, noting: "Mr. Kyuma is also a citizen of Nagasaki Prefecture. I must have him display his ability as defense minister to eliminate nuclear arms." Ozawa called on the government to demand an apology from the US, pointing out: "The government should seek an apology from the US for the dropping of atomic bombs. It should hold talks with the US." ABE responded, "Our responsibility is to do our utmost to eliminate nuclear arms instead of pouring our energy into demanding an apology from the US." 16) Abe, Ozawa lock horns in debate ahead of Upper House election; Abe plays up his administration's economic, educational achievements, Ozawa calls for reversal of positions of ruling and opposition parties YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged slightly) July 2, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE and Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) President Ichiro Ozawa took part in a party-head debate, held yesterday at a Tokyo hotel by Atarashii Nihon o Tsukuru Kokumin Kaigi (The People's Council for Building a New Japan) composed of academics and business leaders. In his debate with Ozawa, ABE indicated that he would play up his administration's achievements in the economic and education fields in the upcoming House of Councillors election. Ozawa, on the other hand, expressed his eagerness for a two-party system to take over the reins of government through the upcoming election. Timed with the party-head debate, private organizations, including the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, released their evaluations of campaign pledges by the Liberal Democratic Party, Minshuto, and the New Komeito. Abe and Ozawa have taken part in four Diet debates, but each one lasted only 45 minutes. With yesterday's debate set for 90 minutes, the two were able to engage in an in-depth exchange of views ahead of the election. Abe first talked about the pension recordkeeping errors, saying resolutely, "The government's checks will continue until the very last record has been verified, guaranteeing overdue payouts. We will clarify the responsibility of the people that caused the problem and resolve the matter." Ozawa in response slammed the government, saying: "The Upper House election is a referendum on whether people trust the pension system. The voter will decide whether they trust the government. If they don't, the government has to change." Minshuto proposed covering the basic pension with taxes. In the 2005 House of Representatives election, the party promised to raise the consumption tax rate by 3 % to secure financial resources, but it retracted the pledge after Ozawa became leader. ABE attacked the largest opposition party for backpedaling, saying that using taxes to cover the basic pension would not be possible without raising the consumption tax rate. Ozawa said that if the government canceled all the state subsidies, it would have financial resources amounting to more than 6 trillion yen. ABE brushed aside such an idea, saying that Ozawa was irresponsible because two-thirds of the state subsidies were used for programs related to social security. "Do you want to cut TOKYO 00002982 005 OF 007 subsidies for social security-related programs?" ABE said. Abe sparred with Ozawa in the debate without using notes in a show of determination to address the pension mess and improve his falling approval rating. Ozawa, who describes himself as rhetorically ungifted, used notes for the debate. Ozawa highlighted the need to reverse the positions of the ruling and opposition parties, saying, "If the LDP wins the election, two-party democracy will never take root in this country." Meanwhile, ABE played up his administration's achievements, saying, "We have created 600,000 jobs, reduced the unemployment rate to below 4 % , revised the Basic Education Law, and upgraded the Defense Agency to ministry status." Although ABE said that the Upper House election is not a referendum on his government, he also added, "The people will be asked who is more suited -- Mr. Ozawa or myself -- to be at the helm of government." 17) Gov't panel to propose collective self-defense, eyeing rocksolid ties with US YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) June 30, 2007 A government panel, the Council for Rebuilding the Legal Foundation of National Security, decided yesterday to propose changing the government's constitutional interpretation to allow Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense. This proposal is in line with Prime Minister Abe's strong awareness that Japan's alliance with the United States cannot exist without Japan's strong relationship of mutual trust with the United States. The panel has been discussing four cases over the advisability of exercising the right of collective self-defense. In its last meeting, the panel discussed two of the four cases. One is to defend US naval vessels on the high seas, and the other is about missile interception. The focus of discussions over these two cases was on what kind of logical composition would make it possible to exercise the right of collective self-defense. In particular, intercepting missiles headed for the United States was the core of discussions in connection with collective self-defense. That is because the government, in its conventional view, has taken the position that intercepting a ballistic missile bound for another country could fall under the category of collective self-defense. The government once released a statement in the name of Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda on its decision to introduce a missile defense (MD) system. In that statement, the government took the position that the problem of collective self-defense would not arise because Japan's MD system would not be used to defense any third country. In its meeting yesterday, the panel discussed the advisability of intercepting US-bound missiles for two different cases: 1) if a missile passes across over Japan and flies to Hawaii or other non-CONUS (continental United States) US territories; and 2) if a missile does not pass across over Japan and reaches CONUS. The panel generally concurred on allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense and intercept such US-bound missiles as much TOKYO 00002982 006 OF 007 as possible. 18) Foreign Minister Aso tells Iran's deputy foreign minister, "Transparency needed for nuclear issue" YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) June 30, 2007 Foreign Minister Taro Aso met on June 29 at his ministry's office with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari. Referring in it to Iran's nuclear development program, Aso urged Teheran to abide by a UNSC resolution calling on Iran to suspend the country's uranium-enrichment program, as well as disclose information on its nuclear program. Aso told Safari: "Your country should not be isolated from the international community. Transparency is needed for your country to gain international trust." Safari then responded: "Our country has consulted with the International Atomic Energy Agency (about the nuclear issue)." 19) LDP lawmakers sending letter to US Congress letter urging resolution on wartime comfort women be put off TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) June 30, 2007 A group of ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers belonging to the "Forum to think about the future of Japan and history education" decided on June 29 to send to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other US congressional leaders letters asking that a vote on a resolution demanding an apology from the Japanese government for former the wartime comfort women not be taken. The US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the resolution on June 26. The outlook is that the resolution will likely be approved at a plenary session of the House. 20) Nixon knew of secret agreement in connection with return of Okinawa MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2007 Washington, Jiji In connection with a secret agreement between Japan and the United States on Japan's payments to the US for the reversion of Okinawa, a memo from then Secretary of the Treasury Kennedy to then President Nixon was found in the National Archives of the US. The memo notes: "Our profits reached 685 million dollars in total." Although the amount of money itself had already been revealed, a memo showing that the US president had been informed of the Japan-US secret agreement and its contents was found for the first time. The memo does not bear the date when it was drawn up, but the memo supposedly was written in mid-November 1969, immediately after Japan and the US signed a deal secretly, according to its contents. The secretary of the treasury noted in the memo, "The success of the US is owing to the adoption of a package payment formula," indicating that Japan made the payment without any grounds. 21) Government to privatize JETRO as part of reform of independent TOKYO 00002982 007 OF 007 administrative agencies SANKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) June 30, 2007 The government decided yesterday to privatize the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO),which is engaged in helping bring in foreign firms and expanding Japanese firms' exports, as part of the reform of independent administrative agencies. By plunging the scalpel of reform into JETRO, a symbolic landing place for retired amakudari officials, the government aims to accelerate reforming all the 101 independent administrative bodies. Most of the services offered by JETRO are said to be the same as those provided by private-sector trade-related consultant companies. Given this, the government has judged that it is no longer necessary to keep JETRO under state control. In addition, an increasing number of officials in the government began to pose questions about the system of subsidizing businesses given the current austere fiscal situation. JETRO was established in October 2003 as the successor body of the Japan External Trade Recovery Organization. The government provides about 27 billion yen in subsidies to JETRO. SCHIEFFER