JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/17/07-2

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 003244 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/17/07-2 Index: Defense and security: 13) Defense Minister Koike to meet Secretary Gates possibly in August 14) Government considering staying awhile with superannuated F4 jets as indirect result of leaked classified information Opinion polls: 15) Mainichi survey of LDP candidates finds 32 % willing to consider Japan having a nuclear arsenal - a seven-point increase over same question in 2004 election 16) Jiji poll: ABE Cabinet support rate at record low of 25.7 % 17) Latest Asahi election series poll: Cabinet non-support rate at 55 %; In proportional races, 30 % of voters pick DPJ, 23 % favor LDP 18) Asahi poll: 45 % of public say their impression of Prime Minister ABE has "worsened" 19) Kyodo trend poll: Cabinet support rate at record low of 28 % Run up to Upper House election: 20) Pre-election absentee voting up 10 % over last election 21) LDP candidate lashes out at Prime Minister Abe's concept of "beautiful country, Japan" 22) Administrative reform headquarters encountering resistance in targeting independent public corporations for reforms 13) Defense Minister Koike possibly to travel to US in August YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) July 14, 2007 Defense Minister Koike on the night of July 13 had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Gates, and the two defense chiefs agreed to hold bilateral defense ministerial talks in the United States in August. Koike told Gates, "I'd like to visit the US as early as possible after the Upper House election." Gates responded, "We'll welcome your visit to the US." This teleconference was proposed by Gates to congratulate Koike on her assumption of the post of defense minister. The two defense chiefs confirmed that they would put into practice the realignment plans for the US Forces Japan and facilitate the sharing of military information on such systems as missile defense (MD). Gates referred to Secretary of State Rice having called Koike on the night of July 12 ahead of Gates and told Koike: "She reported on her call at a meeting in the White House, and President Bush said jokingly, 'The State Department may take over the Defense Department.'" 14) Defense Ministry considering extending use of F-4 due to hard-going F-22 talks following information leak SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 15, 2007 In the face of hard-going talks between Tokyo and Washington on the use of the F-22A Raptor stealth fighter jet as Japan's possible next-generation mainstay combat jet aircraft (FX),the Defense Agency and the Self-Defense Forces have begun considering extending TOKYO 00003244 002 OF 006 the life of the F-4 fighter, which is scheduled to be replaced in several years. Behind the Defense Ministry's step lies the United States' sense of distrust in Japan's intelligence management in the wake of a leak of pivotal data on the Aegis system by Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel. In a rare development, Japan is likely to be forced to continue to use the old mainstay fighter as a key component in the country's national defense. Japan has deployed a total of 91 F-4 fighters since 1973. The F-4 and the F-15 have been the country's mainstay aircraft. However, the Defense Ministry is scheduled to begin replacement in fiscal year 2008 by substituting seven F-4s with F-2 support fighters. The government plans to determine the FX model by the time it starts compiling a budgetary request for FY2021 next summer. But in the event the US government does not disclose information on the F-22, the decision might delay. Given the situation, the government needs to review the planned switchover and the life of the aircraft accordingly. The Defense Ministry has been studying six types of aircraft as possible successors to the F-4. Although the government has repeatedly asked the US for information on the F-22, US law prohibits exporting and disclosing information on the aircraft with the aim of preventing the flow of state-of-the-art technology to other countries. On July 12, the US House of Representatives began studying the propriety of lifting the ban toward Japan and other countries. The bottleneck is the information management systems of the Defense Ministry and the SDF. During his visit to the US earlier this month, Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya held talks with former US Deputy Defense Undersecretary Richard Lawless and others. In the session, the US side indicated that information on the Aegis system might have fallen into the hands of China. Moriya asked the US to consider selection of the FX apart from the incident. In turn, the US asked for proof that information has not leaked to China, suggesting a sense of distrust in Japan. 15) Mainichi survey of LDP candidates finds 32 % approve giving consideration to Japan having nuclear weapons, a seven-point increase since survey in 2004 MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) July 16, 2007 In a questionnaire survey carried out by the Mainichi Shimbun of all candidates running in the upcoming Upper House election, it was found that 32 % of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates approve of giving consideration to Japan arming itself with nuclear weapons. This is a seven-%rise since the question was asked in the last survey of Upper House candidates prior to the 2004 election. With the question of what Japan should do about nuclear weapons reappearing in the wake of former Defense Minister Kyuma's atom-bomb remark, it appears that the debate over nuclear armament is no longer taboo in the ruling LDP. In the questionnaire, four choices were given regarding Japan arming itself with nuclear weapons: 1) something that should not be considered in the future; 2) should be considered, depending on the international situation from now on; 3) should start considering now; and 4) Japan should possess nuclear weapons. TOKYO 00003244 003 OF 006 The answer, "should not be considered" was chosen by 57 % of the LDP candidates surveyed or 41 persons. Although they form a majority of opinion, if compared to the entire body of candidates, of which 71 % chose this answer, the percentage is much lower. In addition, 24 % (17 persons) among the LDP candidates chose the answer, "Should be considered, depending on the international situation." The same question was asked in 2004; at the time, 25 % chose the above answer. Those who answered, "Should start studying now," numbered zero. The increase in those who approve of studying a nuclear option compared to three years ago can be attributed to the comments to Foreign Minister Aso and others who called for discussion of such following North Korea's testing of a nuclear device last October. Among the opposition parties, 72 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) candidates, or 94 %, chose the answer, "Should not be considered." Only 1 % chose the answer, "Study depending on the international situation," and 3 % said, "Should start studying now." On the question of recognizing Japan's right to collective self-defense, 50 % (36 persons) among the LDP candidates chose the option, "Should not be allowed," and 36 % (26 persons) chose, "Should be allowed." All New Komeito candidates said that such use of that right should not be allowed. Among the opposition parties, 19 % (15 persons) of the DPJ, and 18 % (4) of the Peoples New Party would allow the use of that right. All Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party candidates were against allowing Japan the use of collective self-defense. 16) Jiji poll finds ABE Cabinet support rate at record low of 25.7 %, reflecting such issues as office-expense scandals TOKYO (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 14, 2007 According to the July survey of public opinion carried out by Jiji Press on the sixth to ninth of this month, the support rate of the Abe Cabinet dropped 3.1 points to 25.7 %, the lowest level since the administration came into office. The non-support rate increased 4.8 points to 53.2 %, the first time for the figure to exceed the 50 % level. The record low level of support seems to reflect such factors as the missing pension records, the resignation of Defense Minister Kyuma for his atom-bomb remark, and the office-expenses controversy involving Farm Minister Akagi. With the Upper House election scheduled for July 29, the poll portends severe results for the ruling parties. The survey was carried out by face-to-face interviews of 2,000 men and women, with an effective response rate of 66.7 %. 17) Voter's choice in proportional representation segment in Asahi series poll: DPJ, 30 %; LDP, 23 %; ABE Cabinet non-support rate now at 55 % ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 16, 2007 TOKYO 00003244 004 OF 006 The Asahi Shimbun on July 14-15 carried out its 10th in a series of opinion surveys directed at the upcoming Upper House election. In the poll, when voters were asked their party choice in the proportional representation segment of the election if the election were held now, 30 % chose the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) (26 % in the last poll),while 23 % (22 % last time) favored the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In the district races, as well, 32 % of voters were for the DPJ (previously 28 %),and 26 % (previously 25 %) were for the LDP, indicating a growing shift in voter preference for the opposition DPJ. The support rate for the ABE Cabinet was 30 % (previously 31 %) and the non-support rate was 55 % (previously 51 %),reaching a record high. With the public announcement of the Upper House election, more and more people are making clear their choices when they vote. In that selection process, the DPJ's rise has been outstanding. 18) Asahi poll finds 45 % of public say impression of prime minister has "worsened" ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) July 16, 2007 In the latest national opinion survey by the Asahi Shimbunsha, the public was asked, "In looking at Prime Minister Abe's most recent remarks and actions, has your impression of him grown better?" In contrast to the 6 % who answered that they thought it had "got better," 45 % said that their impression of him had "worsened." Another 45 % said that it "had not changed." The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is promoting the prime minister as the party's "election face," but it appears that the voters are looking at ABE with severe eyes. Asked the same question about Minshuto (DPJ or Democratic Party of Japan) President Ozawa, 10 % answered that their impression of him had improved, and 14 % said that it had worsened. But the vast majority or 71 % said that there was "no change." By gender, 47 % of men and 43 % of women had the view that their impression of Prime Minister ABE had worsened. Of DPJ supporters, only 3 % thought it had improved; while 59 % said that it had worsened. Of unaffiliated voters (mutouhasou),2 % said it had got better, while 49 % said it had worsened. Of LDP supporters, 26 % said it had worsened, while 15 % said it had become better. 19) Poll: Cabinet's support rate renews record low at 28 %; Minshuto at 27 %, LDP at 18 % in proportional representation TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 17, 2007 Kyodo News Service conducted its fourth nationwide telephone-based opinion survey on July 14-15 to find out voters' trends ahead of the July 29 House of Councillors election. As a result, the rate of support for the cabinet of Prime Minister SHINZO ABE was 28.1 %, down 2.0 points from the previous July 7-8 poll. It was a record low, falling below the 30 % level for the first time since the cabinet was launched last September. The disapproval rate was 58.8 %, no change from the last survey. Voters were also asked, "What party or candidate will you vote for in the proportional representation segment?" To this question, 27.2 TOKYO 00003244 005 OF 006 % said they would vote for Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),an increase of 2.6 points, and 18.3 % pointed to the Liberal Democratic Party, an increase of 0.7 points, from the previous poll. Asked to pick up to two top priority issues, 53.6 % of respondents cited "pension," down nearly 5 points. The "politics and money" issue rose to the second place at 23.7 %, up 4.2 points, from the fourth place in the pervious poll. 20) Upper House election: Early voting rate up 10 % over previous election, reaching 683,046, according to interim report MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) July 17, 2007 The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry yesterday released an interim report on early (absentee) voting for the Upper House election. The number of voters who cast ballots for three days from July 13 through 15 increased about 10 % from the corresponding period of the previous election in 2004 (618,383). The voting day for the Upper House election this time is July 29, which is the latest along with the one in 2001 among all elections in the past. Since the election day coincides with summer vacation, many voters are expected to vote early because of their holiday plans. The highest growth rate of 2.8 in early voting was marked in Gunma Prefecture, followed by Toyama, Aomori, Yamagata and Ishikawa. These five prefectures are all single-seat constituencies. In Shikoku and Kyushu, the early voting rate fell below 2004. In particular, that of Miyazaki and Kochi remained below half the level of 2004. 21) LDP's Tamura criticizes Abe's "beautiful country" slogan ASAHI (Page 31) (Abridged slightly) July 17, 2007 Kohei Tamura, 60, an incumbent Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker seeking his third term in the upcoming House of Councillors election, held a lecture meeting yesterday in the Kochi prefectural district, his home turf. In the session, Tamura harshly criticized Prime Minister SHINZO Abe's slogan to make Japan a beautiful country, saying: "I cannot understand what it really means. People in Kochi are in a dire situation. They are struggling just to put tomorrow's bread on the table. If the prime minister comes here to campaign for me and plays up his 'beautiful country' slogan, that would sound like an insult to the local residents because that's a pie in the sky. What is a beautiful country anyway? If (the prime minister) is concerned about me, he should come with money. If the government earmarked 500 billion yen or so for the Nankai area, Kochi would be able to withstand typhoons and earthquakes." Prime Minister ABE attended a pep rally held for Tamura in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, on July 1. Tamura also criticized LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who visited Kochi on July 15, saying: "He suggested selling agricultural products grown in Kochi in Shanghai. But Kochi Airport is not an TOKYO 00003244 006 OF 006 international airport. He should not have suggested that which is not possible." 22) Independent Administrative Agency reform: ARPH to publicly recruit councillor; Kantei decides, meeting resistance from government agency SANKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) July 16, 2007 The government's Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters (ARPH) yesterday decided to publicly recruit a councillor in charge of reforming independent administrative agencies. A councillor is virtually the top post responsible for the administrative side of reform of independent administrative agencies. It is extremely unusual for the government to publicly recruit top-ranking personnel. The Prime Minister's Office (Kantei) says that it will take a second look at its independent administrative agency reform from scratch, intensifying a tug-of-war with various government agencies, which are aiming at securing ministry interests. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI),which has previously filled that post, was reluctant to select a successor. In response, State Minister for Administrative Reform Yoshimi Watanabe reached a final decision in the public recruitment, based on the Kantei's will. The councillor's post has remained vacant since July 10, when Masanori Suzuki, hailing from METI, took office as the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency deputy director general as a result of a regular personnel transfer. Since METI officials have customarily filled that post, the Kantei has sounded out the ministry about the selection of Suzuki's successor from around early this month, when Suzuki's transfer was decided. The Kantei requested that METI not select a person who advocates on behalf of his home ministry's interest. However, METI objected to the request saying, "We do not want the Kantei to meddle with our personnel matters." As it has not shown any inclination towards selecting Suzuki's successor since then, Watanabe undertook the task, coordinating views with the Kantei and deciding to publicly recruit an ARPH councillor. SCHIEFFER