JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/15/07

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/15/07 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) Foreign Minister Aso, Israeli counterpart agree to support Palestinian leader Abbas 5) Prime Minister Abe looking forward to meeting the late Justice Pal's family in India 6) Japan developing rare metals in South Africa as part of its strengthened resource diplomacy 7) Prime Minister Abe remains ambiguous about Yasukuni Shrine visit issue 8) Former Prime Minister Koizumi to visit Yasukuni Shrine today 9) Defense Minister Koike, Vice Defense Minister Moriya meet but issue of his replacement not resolved 10) Truce called for time being in Koike-Moriya feud 11) Preparations start to move the Army's I-Corps command to Camp Zama 12) Abe thinking of appointing Komura and Hori into his new cabinet 13) Abe has changed style with TV cameras: no longer faces audience but turns toward reporter 14) Justice Minister Hagese's political funding sources a tangle with 41 separate support groups working for him 15) (Corrected copy) Commotion over position of vice defense minister; Chief cabinet secretary says next minister to decide; Defense Minister Koike threatens to resign Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: 46 million Matsushita-made cellphone batteries recalled; Nokia: cellphones could overheat Mainichi: Sapporo firm shipped confectionery containing staphylococcus; "Shiroi Koibito" confectionery expiration date altered Yomiuri: Matsushita batteries: 46 million cellphones recalled; Batteries made for Nokia may overheat, expand when charging Nikkei: Pension Fund Association to invest in real estate development; Hopes for high rental income though partnership with big companies Sankei: One month after Niigata Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake: Lacking homes to return to, anxiety grows TOKYO 00003749 002 OF 009 Tokyo Shimbun: 46 million Matsushita-made cellphone batteries recalled; Fear of overheating 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: History of the war: Have you ever seen as many as 1,000 flies? Mainichi: Anniversary of end of World War II: Living security necessary Yomiuri: Mark August 15 in calm circumstances Nikkei: (1) Japan should be a friend of Asia without forgetting history of the war (2) Internal trouble in the Defense Ministry Sankei: August 15: Think about the weigh of requiem history Tokyo Shimbun: Anniversary of end of the war: Message from the extreme situation 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, August 14 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 15, 2007 Spent the morning at his official residence. 12:37: Arrived at the Kantei. 14:00: Met Cabinet Special Advisor Kurokawa. Followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matoba. Later met UN Ambassador Takasu. 15:27: Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Suga. 16:07: Met State Minister in Charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy Ota. Followed by Matoba. 17:28: Returned to his official residence. 4) Japanese, Israeli foreign ministers agree on support of Chairman Abbas of Palestinian Authority SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 15, 2007 Makiko Tagami, Jerusalem Foreign Minister Taro Aso, currently visiting Israel, met his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni on the afternoon of Aug. 14, local time. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue to support Chairman Abbas of the Palestinian Authority government, who has adopted a peace-oriented policy. Aso asked that Israel make more efforts to build up confidence with the Palestinian Authority by taking such measures as further reducing the number of checkpoints TOKYO 00003749 003 OF 009 in the west bank of the Jordan and removing its unauthorized colony base. Aso spelled out Japan's plan of providing the Palestinian Authority government with 20 million dollars or approximately 2.4 billion yen in economic aid, saying: "Japan would like to positively help Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together for mutual harmony and benefit." Livni expressed strong apprehension about Iran's nuclear development program, remarking: "The international community has no time left." Aso replied: "It is necessary for the international community to take a resolute attitude and to continue to call on Iran to cooperate with the international community. Japan has also continued to talk with Iran." Later, Aso met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak separately. 5) Prime Minister Abe: "I look forward to meeting" with family member of war tribunal judge Pal ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) August 15, 2007 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reveled yesterday that when he visits India, he will meet a descendant of the late Radhabinod Pal, who served as a judge at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. He told the press corps at the Prime Minister's Official Residence: "Judge Pal is associated with Japan. I look forward to hearing the story about the father (Pal)." Pal was the only person who argued that all Japanese, who were charged with Class-A war criminals, including wartime prime minister Hideki Tojo, should be found not guilty. When asked by reporters that the planned meeting might provoke Asian countries, Abe responded: "I don't think such will happen." 6) Resource diplomacy to be strengthened: Government to shortly reach agreement with South Africa on development of rare metals TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) August 15, 2007 The government yesterday decided to strengthen its resource diplomacy starting with developing rare metals, materials that are in dispensable for home electronics. It will likely reach an agreement with South Africa shortly on the joint development of rare metals and technical cooperation. The government will also sound out Latin American countries for cooperation in a bid to secure crude oil. Demands for rare metals and crude oil are increasing throughout the world due to the economic expansion in Japan, the US and European countries and economic growth in newly emerging countries. Their prices are also surging. As such, the government has judged that it would be necessary to strengthen relations with resource-rich countries in Africa, South America and Central Asia. China is trying to secure resources, such as crude oil, through top-level diplomacy with African nations. Japan intends to counter TOKYO 00003749 004 OF 009 China by offering technology and building industrial infrastructure in resource-rich countries. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and leading trading houses will dispatch a delegation to South Africa as early as September. The two countries are expected to reach an agreement to conduct a joint exploration of rare metals and launch efforts to put the development of such metals into shape. South Africa produces 80 percent of platinum produced in the world. Platinum is used for auto parts. The production of chrome and vanadium by that nation accounts for 40 percent of the amount produced globally. The delegation will consider visiting Madagascar as well, which has nickel and cobalt reserves. China, which is ahead of Japan regarding resource diplomacy, is also a precious metal producing country. It has exported precious metals to Japan as well. However, its domestic use of the materials has increased due to expanded industrial production. It is recently constraining exports of rare metals. Japan's industrial circles are increasingly feeling alarmed about the situation. 7) Today is 62nd anniversary of end of war SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) August 15, 2007 August 15 is the 62nd anniversary of the end of the war. In addition to a ceremony held by the Japanese government at the Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, in order to commemorate the country's war dead, local governments, relatives of the deceased, and civilian groups in every area are planning to have commemorative services or gatherings. Meanwhile all sixteen members of Prime Minister Abe's cabinet seem ready to forgo visits to Yasukuni Shrine -the first such time since 1955, when many cabinet members began to visit the shrine, that no cabinet members will pay a visit to the shrine on the anniversary of the end of the war. Yesterday, when asked whether or not he would visit Yasukuni on August 15, Prime Minister Abe maintained his secrecy, repeating that he would not reveal his plans. The prime minister responded to a question at his official residence (Kantei). The Emperor and the Empress, Prime Minister Abe, and about 7200 relatives of the deceased are scheduled to attend the ceremony commemorating the country's war dead. They will be praying for the souls of the approximately 3,100,000 people (about 2,300,000 soldiers and civilian personnel and about 800,000 civilians) who died during the war. After a speech by Prime Minister Abe, everyone will observe a minute of silence at noon. After the Emperor says a few words, the presidents of both the Upper and Lower House and representatives from the families of the war dead will give commemorative speeches, following which representatives from the attendees will offer flowers at the ceremonial platform. 8) Former Prime Minister Koizumi to visit Yasukuni Shrine today MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) August 15, 2007 It was learned yesterday that former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, the day marking the end of World War II. He will be visiting the shrine this day for the TOKYO 00003749 005 OF 009 second consecutive year. He is presumably aiming at making an appeal that his stance remains solid even after stepping down as prime minister. Since nearly a year has passed since he resigned as prime minister, his visit to the shrine is expected to have only a minimal impact on neighboring countries, such as China. 9) Defense ministry personnel appointment issue: Defense Minister Koike says, "My thinking is unchanged," following meeting with Vice Minister Moriya, which ended without agreement NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 15, 2007 The uproar in the Defense Ministry over the appointment of an administrative vice minister continued unabated on Aug. 14, and it seems likely that it will be a long drawn-out affair. Minister Yuriko Koike yesterday met for approximately 20 minutes with Vice Minister Takemasa Moriya in the ministry to propose once again that Chief of the Secretariat Tetsuya Nishikawa, who hails from the National Police Agency, be promoted to vice minister. She pressed for Moriya to resign, saying, "My thinking is unchanged." Moriya argued that she did not follow proper procedures and refused to agree. The meeting ended without agreement. Koike had set up the meeting after Prime Minister Abe on Aug. 13 froze the appointment of a vice minister until after he shuffles his cabinet. The meeting was another clash reflecting the stubbornness and face-consciousness of the two, with Koike using her appointment authority to try to grasp real authority in the ministry, and Moriya, displaying his political power that transcends the cabinet. 10) Defense Minister Koike, Vice Defense Minister Moriya lay down arms for awhile over personnel rotations ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) August 15, 2007 Prime Minister Yuriko Koike met yesterday at her ministry with Administrative Vice Minister Takemasa Moriya, relations with whom have been strained since she told him to step down from his post. Regarding Moriya's retirement and the appointment of his replacement, which have been frozen at Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki's decision, Koike told Moriya: "The new defense minister will appoint the next vice minister after the cabinet is reshuffled." They agreed to postpone settlement until after the cabinet reshuffle slated for Aug. 27. In the about 20-minute meeting, Koike first told Moriya; "Let us not to cause trouble to Mr. Abe." Moriya responded: "I agree with you." Koike got briefed on the dismantlement of the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, the organizational plan of a Defense Examination Headquarters, which will be created when the ministry is reorganized in September. Completely changed from the day before yesterday when sparks flew between them when they separately visited the Prime Minister's Official Residence. This time, they reportedly carried out the meeting in a calm manner. Koike told reporters after the meeting: "We work for the defense of Japan, but we are not defending ourselves." TOKYO 00003749 006 OF 009 11) DFAB to set up team to prepare for moving US Army 1st Corps command to Camp Zama TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) August 15, 2007 The United States and Japan have agreed to transfer the US Army 1st Corps command to US Army base Camp Zama in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, as part of the planned realignment of the US forces in Japan. Officials of the Yokohama Defense Facilities Administration Bureau (DFAB) visited the Zama municipal government yesterday and revealed a plan to establish a team in Camp Zama around August 20 to advance preparations for the transfer plan. According to the bureau, the US military will dispatch 15 members each from the Headquarters of the US Forces in Japan and the US Army Command in the US to engage in investigative activities in preparation for drawing up staff-assignment and other plans for the new headquarters. A decision has been made to complete the transfer plan by September 2008, but nothing had been unveiled about practical moves to promote the transfer. 12) Prime minister considering appointing Komura, Hori to his cabinet YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) August 15, 2007 Prime Minister Abe is considering the possibility of appointing former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, 65, chairman of the Komura faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, and former Education Minister Kosuke Hori, 72, to serve in his cabinet when he shuffles it on Aug. 27. Abe has expressed his determination to make a fresh start by reorganizing his cabinet. He apparently plans to appoint influential LDP members with cabinet experience and policy expertise to solidify unity in the government and the ruling camp in an effort to rebuild his administration. Komura, who has been elected to the House of Representatives nine times, has so far held such cabinet posts as foreign minister and justice minister. Some observers speculate that the prime minister might be thinking of giving the environment portfolio to him, thinking of Japan hosting the 2008 Lake Toya Summit, in which a post-Kyoto framework to contain global warming will take center stage. Komura chairs the Japanese Association of Dietmembers League for Japan-China Friendship. Focusing on the next Olympic Games in Beijing in August of next year, there are calls for him to become foreign minister in order to strengthen ties with China. Hori, who has been elected 10 times to the Lower House, engaged in drawing up a bill amending the Fundamental Law of Education as chairman of a study group in the ruling camp. Keeping this experience in mind, some recommend that Hori should be awarded with the post of education, culture, sports, science and technology minister to steer education reform. Hori was one of the so-called postal rebels who left the LDP because of his opposition to the postal-privatization bill, but he returned to the party last December. Some surmise that the prime minister might be aiming to play up a policy of intraparty reconciliation by TOKYO 00003749 007 OF 009 appointing a postal rebel to his new cabinet. 13) Prime Minister Abe changes attitude in responding to questions by reporters ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) August 15, 2007 There has been a change in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's usual stance of turning his eyes on the TV camera at press briefings everyday. He has now changed from just gazing at the camera to turning his eyes to look at the reporters. He used to try to talk directly to the public by staring into the camera while answering questions by the reporters. However, the press were unhappy with this stance. He appears to have reflected on the situation since his party suffered a humiliating defeat in the July House of Councillors election. Abe meets the press once every day before the TV cameras. He has been gazing the camera while answering questions, not turning his eyes on reporters since mid-April, noting that he was responding to the public rather than to questions from reporters. However, Mickey Yasukawa, a media personality, told Abe on a radio program, on which Abe was a guest before the Upper House election: "It is not good that you speak while gazing at one point like a dragonfly." Producer Terry Ito also advised him to change his attitude, saying, "Speaking always in the same tone is not appealing." Therefore, Abe now looks at reporters when he answers questions. He has refrained from provoking reporters when they question him, as well. Abe's aide said: "He is explaining in a polite way." Asked by reporters about the change in his attitude, Abe responded with a forced smile: "I don't see any particular change." 14) Justice Minister Nagase has as many as 41 political organizations that mutually make donations in a complicated manner MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) August 15, 2007 It was learned that the fund management organizations of four cabinet ministers are in a dormant state. Of the four, Justice Minister Jinen Nagase (Lower House Toyama Constituency No. 1) has at least 41 political organizations, including Chosei-kai, a fund management organization. Following the major setback in the Upper House election, discussions to amend (the Political Funds Control Law) to mandate all political organizations to attach receipts for expenditures over 1 yen are going on in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, many members are opposing the idea citing an increase in administrative work as the reason. There appears to be a situation in which politicians who have more than one political organization are making administrative work complicated. As far as the election committee has confirmed, Nagase has 41 political organizations (as reported to the Toyama Prefectural Election Committee of the Internal Affairs Ministry),the largest amount among the four in question. According to Nagase's political fund payment report for 2005, 11 political organizations related to him have offices in the same building in Toyama City. Another six organizations also have offices TOKYO 00003749 008 OF 009 in the same office building in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture. Nagase's local secretaries are serving as accountants and administrative clerks at most of these political organizations. However, some of these organizations such as "Koron Circler" or "Monday Club" bear names which make it impossible to tell whether or not they are Nagase's political organizations. Chosei-kai, Nagase's fund management organization, has an office in a building in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, along with two other political organizations related to him. Those organizations make donations to each other in a complicated manner. There have been cases of two organizations with the same address having made donations to each other. Of 8 million yen reported by Chosei-kai as expenses for political activities, 7 million yen was found to have been used as a donation to the "New Age Policy Research Center", which has an office in the same location as Chosei-kai. Regarding the fact that Nagase has many political organizations and that there is a complicated flow of funds, an official of his office noted, "All organizations are independent. We understand that political organizations that pursue political activities make donations in compliance with law." 15) (Corrected copy) Commotion over position of vice defense minister; Chief cabinet secretary says next minister to decide; Defense Minister Koike threatens to resign YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 14, 2007 Yesterday, the Japanese government decided to wait on a decision about the post of vice defense minister until after the reorganization of the cabinet on August 27. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki met with Defense Minister Koike and informed her of the government's decision saying: "The person who is selected as the defense minister in the new cabinet lineup will decide on the next vice defense minister." Koike is strongly protesting this pronouncement. She told Shiozaki that she will take it as her responsibility to get Tetsuya Nishikawa (60),director-general of the defense minister's secretariat, appointed. She also suggested that she will consider resigning as defense minister. Koike had decided to retire Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya (62) in September and replace him with Nishikawa, who formerly worked at the National Police Agency. Moriya, who holds the real power in the defense ministry, has been in his post for an unusually long period of over four years. Koike has said: "I must think of the rejuvenation of the organization." However, Koike did not consult Moriya about her plans regarding the post of vice defense minister, nor were preparations made for a cabinet meeting to discuss new personnel. These cabinet meetings are usually held when deciding on new top officials for each ministry, and they are a place where chief and deputy secretaries can take a look at candidates before the final decision is made. According to a government source, four chief and deputy cabinet secretaries, including Shiozaki, met unofficially regarding this SIPDIS issue on August 7, while Koike was visiting the US. They agreed first that they would not accept personnel decisions that had not gone under review in an official cabinet meeting, and second that TOKYO 00003749 009 OF 009 the person who will be defense minister after the cabinet reorganization will decide on the post. Last night, Prime Minister Abe told reporters that "the personnel issue has not yet been decided. The Chief Cabinet Secretary will hold a cabinet meeting to discuss personnel matters." It appears that for the time being, he is taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the situation. Meanwhile, Moriya, who heard about his retirement in a shocking manner, is making moves behind the scenes, reaching out to those in the office of the prime minister in attempts to affect the choice of his successor. Moriya has in mind Shinshiro Yamazaki (60),head of the defense facilities administration bureau who previously belonged to the former Defense Agency. Defense strategies in recent years have grown complicated as the Japan-US alliance has grown stronger. Moriya wants to leave matters in the hands of someone who has experience with defense policy rather than someone from a different agency or ministry. As for Moriya's post-retirement plans, he rejected Koike's offer that he become "Defense Ministry special advisor" in charge of Okinawan affairs. This is not the first time that there has been a battle over the post of vice minister. In January 2002, then Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka asserted that she wanted to replace then Vice Foreign Minister Yoshiji Nogami. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ended up sacking both Tanaka and Nogami. MESERVE