JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/08/07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 003624 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 08/08/07 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) DPJ President Ozawa will not respond to revision of the anti-terror law extension bill 5) Ozawa wants DPJ to present bill scrapping the Iraq dispatch legislation 6) Text of Ozawa's press conference on Aug. 7 7) LDP trying to woo DPJ with flexible stance toward anti-terror special measures law 8) DPJ planning to make "reform competition" a theme at next Diet session but LDP finding proposed revisions to political-funds control law hard to swallow 9) More and more LDP lawmakers vocally calling for ABE to step down, but the prime minister remains adamant to stay on 10) New Komeito objects to starting the next extraordinary Diet session on Aug. 31 as overly hasty 11) LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa blames Bank of Japan's monetary policy for the LDP Upper House election defeat 12) Foreign Minister Aso's appointment as next LDP secretary general seems to be a done deal 13) Prime Minister ABE denies saying anything about whether he will visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, but signs still point to his avoiding that day 14) Six-party energy talks: North Korea seeks investment-like aid, while Japan continues to pound DPRK on abduction issue 15) ABE shortens trip to Australia due to expected Diet ruckus 16) Defense Minister Koike's trip to Washington is now set 17) Vice Defense Moriya says he know nothing about reports that he is being retired 18) Defense Ministry ready to present environmental assessment report on Camp Schwab runway plan 19) Senior US official in Tokyo explains US-led framework to stop global warming Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Diet session called after election creating opposition-dominated Upper House Mainichi: Rice farmers in Beijing suburb forced to grow different crops for 
TOKYO 00003624 002 OF 012 sake of Olympics Yomiuri: Supreme Court nixes Steel Partners' appeal of Bull-Dog ruling Nikkei: Japan may fail to meet Kyoto Protocol target Sankei: Cabinet adopts basic plan to halve number of independent administrative corporations Tokyo Shimbun: Ozawa to resubmit bill withdrawing troops from Iraq Akahata: JCP's role becoming more vital 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Opposition-dominated Upper House: Sense of intensity essential for politics (2) Minneapolis bridge collapse: Maintenance important Mainichi: (1) Extraordinary Diet session: Look for new image of legislature (2) Trouble in basketball association deplorable Yomiuri: (1) DPJ must now show it deserves voters' faith (2) Mysterious Chongyon scam case Nikkei: (1) DPJ bears heavy responsibility as largest Upper House party (2) TSE must be role model Sankei: (1) Distrust of broadcasting industry lingers on (2) Extra Diet session: National interests must come first Tokyo Shimbun: (1) New Upper House expected to display greater presence (2) An open China expected ahead of 2008 Beijing Olympics Akahata: (1) 40th anniversary of ASEAN 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, August 7 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 09:04: Attended a cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Attended a meeting of cabinet ministers related to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. 10:42: Met with the recipients of the award on "making a dream in 2025 come true through innovation" sponsored by the Cabinet Office, with Innovation Minister Takaichi present. TOKYO 00003624 003 OF 012 11:00: Met Finance Minister Omi and Vice Finance Minister Tsuda. Followed by Secretary General Nakagawa. Later attended a meeting of cabinet ministers involved in drawing up monthly economic reports. 12:15: Met Financial Services Minister Yamamoto. 12:32: Attended a joint plenary meeting of party members of both houses of the Diet. Later, attended a meeting of lawmakers. 13:03: Attended a Lower House plenary session. 13:09: Arrived at the Kantei. 15:00: Attended an opening ceremony of the extraordinary Diet session at the Upper House Hall. Later, met Upper House President Satsuki Eda and Vice President Akiko Santo. 16:00: Met Cabinet intelligence Director Mitani at the Kantei. Followed by incoming and outgoing Tokyo Metropolitan Police commissioners Yashiro and Ito. 16:34: Attended a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy 18:33: Met Secretary General Nakagawa, New Komeito President Ota, and New Komeito Secretary General Kitagawa at his official residence. 4) Ozawa rejects antiterror law extension YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Ozawa, meeting the press yesterday after the Diet convened an extraordinary session, voiced his standpoint against the government's plan to extend the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is set to expire Nov. 1. "President Bush started the Afghan war-regardless of the United Nations and the international community-on the grounds that the war was for the United States to defend itself," Ozawa said. With this, Ozawa dismissed the law that is intended to back up US and British military operations in Afghanistan. This indicates that Ozawa will not respond to consultations with the ruling coalition over amendments to the law for its extension. In addition, Ozawa also indicated that he would consider presenting a bill to the Diet in its next extra session, aiming to repeal the Iraq Reconstruction Assistance Special Measures Law. "We've yet to decide on what kind of theme to choose in the (next) extra Diet session, but that's also one of the themes," Ozawa said. With this, Ozawa indicated that he would consider bringing the bill before the Diet in its next extra session that is expected to be called Aug. ¶31. 5) Ozawa may submit another Iraq pullout bill TOKYO (Top play) (Slightly abridged) August 8, 2007 Ichiro Ozawa, president of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto),indicated in his press remarks yesterday that he would consider bringing a bill before the Diet again in its extraordinary session this fall to repeal the Iraq Reconstruction TOKYO 00003624 004 OF 012 Assistance Special Measures Law. The bill is intended to withdraw an Air Self-Defense Force detachment currently sent to Iraq. "We've yet to choose any legislative measures," Ozawa said. "But," he added, "that would be one of the themes." In the past, the DPJ has presented the bill to the Diet three times. However, it has always been scrapped. Ozawa also referred to the issue of extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, under which Japan has sent a Maritime Self-Defense Force squadron to the Indian Ocean to refuel US and other foreign naval vessels there. In this respect, Ozawa raised a question about the legitimacy of engaging the MSDF in such assistance activities. "US President Bush said the Afghan war is a war to defend the United States," Ozawa said. "And," Ozawa went on, "he started the war-regardless of the United Nations and the international community." With this, Ozawa implied that he would not only oppose extending the law but also stand off consultations over revising the law. In addition, Ozawa indicated that he looked forward to joining hands with the People's New Party (Kokumin Shinto) and other opposition parties to form a joint parliamentary group in the House of Councillors. "We've yet to reach a final conclusion, but I think that's good if it's possible for one group to secure some seats," Ozawa said. 6) Main points from DPJ head Ozawa's press conference NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 Diet management Talks and cooperation are good, but current politics by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito give only little consideration to the people's livelihood. Public criticism reflects the results of the latest election. Finding a solution through talks and cooperation between two parties with different ideas means meeting the other half-way. We will send out a clear message as parties holding a majority in the Upper House. Next Lower House election Although the party has lined up only about 100 individuals to run in the constituencies, it is meaningless to play a leftover game. Our target is to win over 150 single seats to become a majority party, and we will build a system to that end. Playing leftover games in the 300 constituencies is not our objective. Income subsidy system In addition to an income-subsidy system for farmers, we want to translate basic ideas into legislation as much as possible to establish something like a basic law. Besides farm policy, we will present what we promised to the people to the Diet. (A bill to abolish the Iraq Special Measures Law) would be a theme in the next extraordinary Diet session. Meeting with US Ambassador Schieffer A meeting did not take place not because I did not want to see him. Instead, it was because there had been no request from (the ambassador). Now that I have received a request, I will meet him. TOKYO 00003624 005 OF 012 7) Panicky government and ruling parties trying to lure DPJ on extension of the anti-terror bill by flexible stance TOKYO (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 8, 2007 With the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) opposed to an extension of the anti-terror special measures law, the biggest issue in this fall's extraordinary session of the Diet, the government and ruling parties are starting to use every trick in the book to try to soften up the stance of the DPJ. The government would like to somehow continue refueling services by Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in the Indian Ocean for the warships of the US and other countries that are seen as a symbol of the Japan-US alliance. It has been throwing curve balls at the opposition party saying that of course it favors fair play by calling for talks to revise the bill, and that it is even willing to present a new bill. At a news conference yesterday, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa urged cooperation from the DPJ, SIPDIS which has become the leading party in the Upper House. He said: "The international role we are playing is being tested on whether we can continue our oil refueling support. It is critical for the Japan-US relationship, as well. The opposition parties must share this understanding. I hope to see flexibility (by cooperation from the DPJ)." Regarding this issue, there has recently been a subtle change in the statements of relevant government officials and party executives. Immediately after the Upper House election, there was strong criticism of the DPJ for clearly opposing the extension of the law, but for the past few days, there has been a noticeable low-posture approach of seeking to meet the DPJ in some fashion half way. Specifically, the enticement being dangled before the DPJ is the possibility of revision talks. The idea also has been thrown out of accepting the concept of prior approval of the Diet in the bill, which the DPJ has been seeking. 8) DPJ launches "reform competition" with LDP with decision to submit own bill amending Political Funds Control Law to next Diet session MAINICHI (Page 5) (Excerpts) August 8, 2007 The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) decided yesterday to submit to the next extraordinary Diet session a bill amending the Political Funds Control Law to obligate all political groups to attach receipts for expenditures of more than one yen (excluding personnel costs) as a measure to prevent "politics-and-money" scandals. This move is aimed to launch "reform competition" with the Liberal Democratic Party, with which the coordination of views has bogged down. The New Komeito also made a similar decision yesterday. The LDP is now being pressured by the main opposition party and its ruling partner over reforms. DPJ Political Reform Promotion Headquarters Chief Katsuya Okada in its meeting yesterday criticized the revised law enacted by the ruling camp in the earlier Diet session. The DPJ presented to the regular session its bill mandating all TOKYO 00003624 006 OF 012 political groups to attach receipts for expenditures of more than 10,000 yen. President Ichiro Ozawa calling in the House of Councillors election campaign called for making the requirement stricter by lowering the 10,000 yen level to one yen. 9) In LDP meetings, many participants point to prime minister's responsibility for election defeat YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 In meetings held by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members yesterday, many participants presented views pointing to Prime Minister Abe's responsibility for the party's crushing defeat in the July House of Councillors election. Some faction leaders have urged the prime minister to step down. The stinging electoral rebuke is expected to spread further across the party. In a meeting of the LDP Chugoku / Shikoku bloc last night, former Defense Agency Director General Gen Nakatani, secretary general of the Tanigaki faction, called for the prime minister's resignation, saying: "Under the current situation, it is necessary for the party to take not stopgap but drastic treatment measures. For drastic treatment, public confidence and momentum are indispensable. Under the current prime minister, however, the party will not be able to make a fresh start." Former State Minister in Charge of Administrative Reform Seiichiro Murakami, the secretary general of the Komura faction, also said: "Unless the chief executive reflects more deeply on why the party lost the election, the party will never be renewed even if junior members are replaced." In a meeting of the Kyushu bloc, many participants urged the prime minister to attend a joint plenary meeting of party members of both houses of the Diet and listen to views about his course of action. After the meeting, though, former Secretary General Makoto Koga, the chairman of the Niwa / Koga faction, indicated that he approves of the prime minister's decision to stay on, remarking: "Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Since he has said he will stay in power, this is one option." In a meeting of lawmakers held at noon yesterday, Nakatani, who sat next to the prime minister, said: "The prime minister should step down." Policy Research Council Vice Chairman Kenji Kosaka (Tsushima faction) and former Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba (Tsushima faction) also lashed out at the prime minister. Prime Minister ABE was listening to such critical views with a stern expression. He told reporters at the Kantei last night: "I must receive severe views sincerely. I am determined to fulfill my responsibility by pushing ahead with reforms." The Tanigaki faction held a meeting in Tokyo last night to confer on how to respond to the situation. Former Secretary General Koichi Kato, who has harshly criticized the prime minister, also attended the meeting. One senior Tanigaki faction member said: "Even if I am unofficially told to join the cabinet in the next reshuffle, I will decline the offer." The faction has underscored an anti-Abe posture more clearly. TOKYO 00003624 007 OF 012 10) New Komeito opposed to decision to convene extraordinary Diet session on Aug. 31, citing lack of preparedness by new cabinet ministers MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 The government and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have decided to convene the next extraordinary Diet session on August 31. But New Komeito members have voiced dissatisfaction with this decision. Prime Minister SHINZO ABE apparently desires to summon a session immediately after he reorganizes his cabinet on Aug. 27. However, as a senior member said: "It was undesirable that the party skipped prior consultations with the New Komeito," some LDP members have begun to call for giving more consideration to the New Komeito. New Komeito President Akihiro Ota met with LDP House of Councillors Chairman Mikio Aoki yesterday, and they shared the view that if the session is convened on Aug. 31, the ruling coalition would result in allowing the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to take advantage of new cabinet minister's lack of preparedness. A senior New Komeito member told an LDP member: "It is premature to convene the next session (on Aug. 31)." Ota met with the prime minister at the Prime Minister's Official Residence last night, with LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa and New Komeito Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa also present. Ota asked: "Is it true you will convene the session on the 31st?" In response, Nakagawa only said: "A decision has not yet been made for now." "The BOJ is to blame for the LDP loss in election," says Secretary General Nakagawa; "Our monetary policy is producing results," Governor Fukui rebuts 11) YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) August 8, 2009 The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is to blame for the LDP loss in the Upper House election With this statement, LDP Secretary General Nakagawa sought to put pressure on Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Toshihiko Fukui during the government's monthly economic report meeting, which took place yesterday, attended by related cabinet ministers. Nakagawa noted, "I heard people in regional districts during the Upper House election campaign that they did not feel the economic recovery first-hand. As the reason for that, the government has stopped short of achieving its growth goal with the nominal growth rate remaining sluggish." He then aimed his attack at BOJ Governor Fukui, saying that the BOJ is to blame because of its monetary policy changes, including the lifting of the zero interest rate policy in July last year. Fukui directly rebutted him: "The BOJ is administering its monetary policy with the aim of sustaining the economic upturn while maintaining stable prices. The economic performance has improved under this policy." Nakagawa has continued opposing the BOJ's belt-tightening monetary policy at every opportunity. He apparently wanted to complain about TOKYO 00003624 008 OF 012 the BOJ policy before quitting his post following the LDP's crushing defeat in the Upper House election. 12) Final coordination underway to install Aso in LDP secretary-general post SIPDIS YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) August 8, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE yesterday undertook final coordination to appoint Foreign Minister Taro Aso (66) as secretary general of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the planned reshuffling of his cabinet and the lineup of the LDP executives. Aso has declared his support for ABE to stay on. Supposedly, ABE wants to treat Aso favorably as a hopeful candidate to succeed him, and also wants Aso, who enjoys high popularity, to act as the "face of the LDP" with an eye on the next Lower House election. Aso has been in agreement with ABE on a number of policy issues, including foreign policy. He has been deeply trusted by the prime minister. On the evening of July 29, the election day for the Upper House, ABE called Aso to the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) and conveyed his intention to appoint him to a key post when he reshuffles the cabinet and the LDP executive lineup, telling him: "I'd like you to continue to serve in an important post in the future as well." Yesterday, ABE covertly met with Aso in the Diet and discussed with him how to manage the government from now on. In order to deal with the crushing defeat in the recent Upper House election, ABE has declared, "I'll change public sentiment by reshuffling the cabinet." ABE wants to win the understanding of the LDP about appointing Aso, who is an important cabinet member, to the post of secretary general. The membership of the Aso faction is only ¶15. So, someone in the party may point out that it would be difficult for Aso to lead the party. Abe intends to reshuffle the cabinet and the lineup of the party executives on Aug. 27, soon after returning home from his overseas trips to India and some other countries. As for the selection of the three top party posts, such as secretary general, however, ABE is considering selecting them on Aug. 26. 13) Prime minister to stay away from Yasukuni on Aug. 15 MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 Ryuko Tadokoro, Daisuke Kondo Prime Minister SHINZO ABE yesterday was asked by reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) whether he would visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II. ABE said, "I have made it a policy not to say whether I will or will not visit the shrine." He thus again indicated his stance he has taken since taking office as prime minister to avoid making a clear response about shrine visits. Given that in the wake of the stinging defeat in the recent Upper House election, ABE needs to give even further consideration to critical views in his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the junior TOKYO 00003624 009 OF 012 coalition partner New Komeito of his visit to the shrine, he is likely to put off visiting the shrine on Aug. 15. An aide to the prime minister indicated that in order to avoid irritating the New Komeito, the prime minister would stay away on the 15th, saying: "The prime minister will not visit the shrine on Aug. 15. He needs to consider the partnership with the New Komeito." Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, when asked by reporters at a press briefing yesterday whether she would visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, indicated her intention not to do so, saying, "There is no possibility of visiting the shrine also in view of my schedule." When she served as environment minister in the Koizumi cabinet from 2004 to 2005, she paid homage at the shrine on Aug. 15 of those years. 14) Six-party working group meeting: North Korea demands investment-type aid; Japan stresses its stance of giving priority to abduction issue YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 Among working-groups under the six-party talks to discuss North Korea's nuclear issue, one on economic and energy cooperation started at Panmunjom yesterday. The first round of the two-day meeting ended in the evening. Lim Sung Nam, ambassador of host nation South Korea, told reporters that North Korea during a plenary meeting in the morning asked for consumption-type aid, such as heavy fuel oil, which is used to produce electricity, as well as investment-type aid, including facilities for producing electricity and repair of electric power plants. He stated that the talks on the 8th would likely focus on this issue. According to a Japanese source, participants from several countries made proposals regarding fuel oil aid, including their readiness to provide such, though China refrained from revealing when it would do so. The Japanese delegate once again stressed that Japan would not take part in the energy aid unless there was progress on the abduction issue. Bilateral meetings, such as a US-North Korea meeting, were held in the afternoon. A meeting between Japan and North Korea did not take place. 15) Prime minister to shorten trip to Australia in wake of Upper House defeat NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 8, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE yesterday decided to shorten his trip to Australia planned for early September. The initial plan was that he would stay in Australia for a few days after attending an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney on Sept. 8-9, but he is rescheduling so as to return home as early as Sept. ¶10. In order to deal with the crushing defeat in the recent Upper House TOKYO 00003624 010 OF 012 election, ABE is considering reshuffling the cabinet and the lineup of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executives on Aug. 27 and convening an extraordinary session of the Diet on Aug. 31. Eyeing deliberations in the Diet, ABE appears to have decided to shorten his overseas trip. Abe initially planned to visit Canberra after attending the APEC summit and as the first Japanese minister to deliver a speech in parliament. But this plan has been cancelled. ABE also intends to reconsider his tour of New Zealand. 16) Koike off to US MAINICHI (Page 4) (Full) August 8, 2007 Defense Minister Yuriko Koike departed Narita Airport yesterday evening for her first official visit to the United States as defense minister. Koike is scheduled to meet with Secretary of Defense Gates in Washington on the morning of Aug. 8, late at night today, Japan time. In addition, Koike is also planning to call on Vice President Cheney and Secretary of State Rice. The defense minister made up her mind to visit the United States, making much of an opportunity to talk with her US counterparts before the Nov. 1 expiry of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. 17) Defense Minister Koike decides to let Vice Defense Minister Moriya go; Moriya: I haven't heard anything about it YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) August 8, 2007 Defense Minister Yuriko Koike has decided to let Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, 62, retire as part of a plan to reshuffle ministry officials. Moriya became vice defense minister in August 2003. He has been in his current post over four years, an unprecedented long period of time. Under the previous Koizumi administration, he played an important role in reaching a Japan-US agreement on relocating Futenma Air Station to Camp Schwab. He has been responsible for sealing the bilateral agreement. The relocation plan has since stalled due to calls for changes from Okinawa and Nago. Moriya, who is reluctant to making changes to the relocation plan, was at loggerheads with former Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma. Now that Kyuma is gone, rumor had it that Moriya would stay on. Defense Minister Koike, however, has finally decided to let Moriya go. Having served in the current post for over four years, Moriya has strong influence in the ministry. He has been criticized in the ministry for his tendency to give important posts to people close to him. Defense Minister Koike, apparently aiming to get rid of such an atmosphere, said in a press conference yesterday: "Coordination is underway (for selecting the new vice minister). We must consider ways to revitalize the organization while placing the right persons in the right places." Koike reported on Moriya's retirement to Prime Minister ABE in person at his official residence on August 6. Koike's decision came so sudden that Moriya said to those around him yesterday, "I haven't TOKYO 00003624 011 OF 012 heard anything about the personnel change." An observation has surfaced in the government and ruling bloc that once Moriya, who has been rejecting making changes to the government's plan, is gone, the revision move would gain momentum. Moriya will retire on September 1 timed with the Defense Facilities Administration Agency's integration into the Defense Ministry. His post will be filled by Tetsuya Nishikawa, 60, who hails from the National Police Agency. 18) Gov't proposes eco-assessment for Futenma relocation MAINICHI (Page 4) (Full) August 8, 2007 The Defense Ministry presented an environmental assessment plan to Okinawa Prefecture yesterday for the planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. The presented plan is for the government to detail how to assess the possible impact of building an alternative facility for Futenma airfield in a coastal area of Camp Schwab, a US military base in the island prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. This is the first of procedures for an environmental impact assessment. The plan-created by a Defense Ministry contractor-purports to ask Okinawa Prefecture's local residents and governor for their opinions before going ahead with an environmental assessment. The Defense Ministry will present local opinions to the Okinawa prefectural government. After that, the prefectural government is to state its views to the Defense Ministry within 60 days. Meanwhile, Okinawa has asked Tokyo to create a sea-based facility in waters off the coast of Nago instead of building a land-based airfield. The prefectural government is strongly repulsed by the Defense Ministry's presentation of the plan, saying the government has yet to fully consult with Okinawa Prefecture and its base-hosting municipalities about where to locate the newly planned airfield. 19) Prevention of global warming: "The US wants to take initiative in establishing post-Kyoto framework," says senior US official TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) August 8, 2007 Prior to a Japan-US high-level meeting to be held in the run-up to international efforts to deal with climate change, James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, yesterday held a press conference at the US Embassy in Minato Ward, Tokyo. He noted during the briefing: "The US will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. It is important that the US takes a leadership role in setting up an international framework that will mandate developing countries to cut carbon dioxide emissions." Connaughton explained that the purpose of his visit to Japan was to discuss from the aspect of energy security measures reducing carbon dioxide emissions starting after the first commitment period from 2008 through 2012 as stipulated under the Kyoto Protocol. Reporters pointed out that the US, the largest CO2 emitter in the world, has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Connaughton replied: "The Kyoto Protocol does not obligate developing countries, which emit more carbon dioxide than industrialized countries, to cut their TOKYO 00003624 012 OF 012 greenhouse gas emissions. It is clearly an extremely imperfect international rule." He then categorically said, "The Kyoto Protocol will not play a role in bringing progress to all countries." He stressed: "Japan is developing safe nuclear energy as one of the two largest leaders in the world. We want to learn the lessons of the earthquake in Japan this time. The US wants to achieve a consensus within a UN framework. We want to take the initiative in establishing a post-Kyoto framework." SCHIEFFER