JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01/30/07

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01/30/07 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule 4) Vice President Cheney scheduled to arrive in Japan Feb. 20 Diet interpellations, Jan. 29: 5) Prime Minister ABE on national security Defense Minister Kyuma on Iraq statements Shoichi Nakagawa on North Korea issues, defense policy 6) Minshuto head Ozawa focuses on social-gap issue, Prime Minister Abe on constitutional reform in Diet sparring, but both avoid "politics and money" issue 7) Voters in this summer's election will have choice between two issues: LDP's constitutional reform, Minshuto's income disparity Yanagisawa gaffe: 8) Minister of Health, Labor, Welfare Yanagisawa apologizes in Diet for "inappropriate" remark about women being "baby-bearing machines" 9) Female lawmakers confront Yanagisawa, demand his resignation for comment about women being "baby-bearing machines" Abe's political woes: 10) ABE Cabinet non-support rate jumps 13 points to 40.9%, now exceeding support rate of 39.1% in Fuji-Sankei poll 11) Cabinet ministers' remarks and gaffes destroying image of ABE administration Political agenda: 12) LDP readies bill amending political contribution law but coordination with other parties to be difficult 13) LDP to back postal rebel Takashi Fujii, who lost Lower House seat, in this summer's Upper House race in Gifu 14) Minshuto selects Imaizumi to replace Tsunoda as Upper House vice speaker Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Mainichi: Tokyo Shimbun: Akahata: Tokyo High Court orders NHK to pay compensation in lawsuit over changing contents of TV program on comfort women, recognizing political interference Yomiuri: "Discover! Aru aru Encyclopedia" broadcast also fabricated programs on health effects of wasabi and lemons Nihon Keizai: Government to obligate repayment of concealed borrowings worth 18 trillion yen to make up for shortage in state subsidies over 60 years; 1.7 trillion yen to be paid in fiscal 2007 Sankei: FNN poll: Nonapproval rating for ABE cabinet tops 40%, up 13 points, exceeding approval TOKYO 00000402 002 OF 011 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) NHK: Vulnerability to political pressure revealed (2) Proposals by DPJ head Ozawa: Lead by example Mainichi: (1) Questions asked by DPJ head Ozawa clarify points at issue (2) Yanagisawa's "baby-making machines" remark: PM should reprimand him Yomiuri: (1) Interpellations: DPJ should come up with more convincing counterproposals (2) Lawsuit over NHK TV program: Impact on reporting worrying Nihon Keizai: (1) Both ruling and opposition parties should fulfill accountability by clarifying points at issue (2) Too many improper statements made by cabinet ministers Sankei: (1) Interpellation: "Politics and money" issue has yet to be fully corrected (2) Six-party talks: Tokyo, Washington should further solidify alliance Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Office expense issue: Prime minister's reply is not sufficient (2) Altered contents of TV program: NHK should distance itself from politics Akahata: (1) Spring wage struggle: Labor unions should display their organizational power 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, January 29 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2007 10:01 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura at Kantei. 11:25 Met with Vice Foreign Minister Yachi. 12:10 Met with LDP Secretary General Nakagawa. 13:03 Attended the Lower House plenary session. 16:03 Arrived at Kantei. 17:02 Attended the LDP executives' meeting in the Diet. 17:32 TOKYO 00000402 003 OF 011 Attended a meeting at Kantei of the Special Zone Promotion Headquarters on a Regional System. 18:01 Attended a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy. 20:12 Dined with critic Naoki Tanaka and others at the Chinese restaurant in Hotel Okura with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki present. 22:31 Arrived at residence in Kantei. 4) US Vice President Cheney to visit Japan Feb. 20 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2007 A government source revealed it has been firmed up that US Vice President Cheney will visit Japan for three days next month, starting on Feb. 20. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Taro Aso and other principle figures, and seek Japan's support for President Bush's new Iraq policy, as well as discuss such issues needing urgent cooperation as the North Korea nuclear weapons programs and the realignment of US forces in Japan. This will be the Vice President's second trip to Japan since April ¶2004. He will also exchange views about the prime minister's plan to visit the US during the consecutive holidays that start at the end of April and into early May. Since Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma has made a series of remarks expressing his doubts about the US decision to go to war with Iraq, the Japanese government is likely to use this opportunity to reconfirm its support for the US' Iraq policy. 5) Nakagawa: Pressure N. Korea with int'l community ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) January 30, 2007 The following is a gist of Diet interpellations in yesterday's plenary sitting of the House of Representatives: Shoichi Nakagawa (Liberal Democratic Party): It's desirable that the Diet should pass the bill for procedures to revise the Constitution (national referendum bill) at the earliest possible date. It's my understanding that the constitutional review panel, which will be set up in both houses of the Diet after the bill is passed, will fully deliberate on the way the Constitution should be. When it comes to foreign relations, our primary concern is North Korea. We must resolve the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues as early as possible. The abduction issue is an abnormality on a global scale. The government's basic policy stance toward North Korea is to go ahead with "dialogue and pressure." However, North Korea has closed dialogue itself. As it stands, we will have to pressure North Korea with the international community. The government should address this issue for Japan's prestige as one of Japan's most important policies. Now is the time we should establish a real alliance between Japan and the United States with collective defense and missile defense. We should hurry to deal with the issue of realigning US forces in Japan, and Japan should deepen its alliance with the United States while sharing intelligence, holding TOKYO 00000402 004 OF 011 talks, and acting in concert. China is posing a threat with its unclear policies as seen from its recent expansion of military activities in space and naval activities in the East China Sea. Prime Minister Abe: The Japan-US alliance is the keystone of Japan's national security. The government will cooperate with the United States and endeavor to deploy a system that will defend Japan against ballistic missiles. In order to contribute further to world peace and stability, we need to meet the times and rebuild a legal foundation for Japan's national security. We will study what falls under the constitutionally prohibited act of exercising the right to collective self-defense. US President Bush has shown the United States' resolve for Iraq's stabilization and reconstruction. Japan will continue to work together with the international community to help with Iraq's nation-rebuilding efforts. Kyuma: US made "wrong decision" over Iraq war Defense Minister Kyuma: I made that remark as my impression that I felt when I was outside the cabinet in those days. The government supports the United States and other countries in their use of armed force against Iraq. I also support and follow the government's position as defense minister. 6) Lower House interpellation: Ozawa, prime minister at odds over pensions, social disparity; Ozawa offers specific proposals for attaching importance to public's living standard; Prime minister says he would pursue both economic growth and constitutional revision NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Excerpts) January 30, 2007 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) head Ichiro Ozawa confronted Prime Minister SHINZO Abe, taking the podium first during the interpellations at a Lower House plenary session yesterday. Ozawa, who prioritizes improving the public's living standard, proposed specific plans for pensions and other areas. He then criticized the government and ruling camp for lacking a policy. The prime minister offered counterarguments from a realistic viewpoint and underscored his determination to pursue economic growth as well as political issues, such as educational revitalization and constitutional revision. Debate on the key "politics and money" issue did not come out since both the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the DPJ are saddled with money scandals. "Politics and money" issue fails to generate brisk debate with both LDP, DPJ strapped with money scandals Regarding the politics and money issue, Ozawa himself has the issue of his fund management organization having acquired a massive sum of real estate. He proposed that politicians in responsible posts should at least reveal the details of their office expenses. He claimed that he has no problem about his own money transactions, noting, "I am ready to release all receipts and related papers for my office expenses. However, he did not give any account of his own matters. Regarding the resignation over a political fund scandal of Upper House Vice Chairman Giichi Tsunoda, who had temporarily left the party to serve in that post, Ozawa indicated his intention to bring an end to the TOKYO 00000402 005 OF 011 issue, saying, "He took political responsibility for being unable to give a full account on the issue, since he lost the data." He then questioned the office expense issue involving Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka. The prime minister brushed aside Ozawa's pursuit, noting, "I have received a report noting that the matter is being handled in compliance with relevant laws." ABE responded to his proposal for obligating politicians to reveal their office expenses, "The LDP Reform Implementation Headquarters is already discussing such a possibility." He thus responded to Ozawa in a manner of not making any commitment. Ozawa during a press conference after the interpellation indicated a sense of displeasure, saying, "The prime minister hardly responded to my questions." Commenting on Ozawa's issue, the prime minister said, "He is bound to be asked to give accounts." 7) Diet battle between LDP, Minshuto; Constitutional reform or narrowing social gap? Abe: "No need to choose between the two"; Ozawa: "First thing to do is pension reform, not hike the consumption tax" ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) January 30, 2007 A question-and-answer session in connection with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy speech began yesterday at the plenary session of the House of Representatives. Ichiro Ozawa, president of the largest opposition party Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),urged the prime minister to place more emphasis on restoring people's livelihoods than constitutional reform. ABE rebutted, however, saying, "I have no intention of choosing between the two." He argued, "I will squarely undertake" employment, education and constitutional issues "with the utmost energy." With the Upper House election coming up in July after the current regular Diet session, heated debate will likely occur over what should be the major issue for Diet deliberations -- narrowing the income gap in society, education reform, or constitutional amendments. Ozawa stated: "Japan has become the country with the widest income disparity in the world over the past six years of the Koizumi and Abe governments." He asked Abe: "What you think politicians should do now, amend the Constitution or improve standards of living?" He intended to make clear a confrontation between his party, which advocates narrowing social disparities, and Abe, who wishes to set constitutional reform as a main campaign issue for the Upper House election. In response, ABE stated, "I'm ready to squarely address debate," citing the need for a review of the postwar regime, including ways people work, improvement in livelihoods, education reform, and constitutional amendments. Abe revealed again his intention to submit a set of bills related to education reform, stating, "I will make efforts to revise relevant laws in order to build a reliable educational administration, clarifying where responsibility lies." Ozawa, meanwhile, explained his party's pension system reform plan. He asserted that the plan was designed to realize a minimum pension security by using all consumption tax revenues for that purpose TOKYO 00000402 006 OF 011 without hiking the rate. He said that a shortage of other financial resources could be covered by 11 trillion yen that would be secured by administrative reform and other measures. Abe, however, severely criticized Ozawa, saying: "You are just laying items out, and I can't see any specific ideas. I doubt the feasibility." 8) Health Minister Yanagisawa apologizes for his remark referring to women as "baby-making machines," noting "It was inappropriate" TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) January 30, 2007 Health Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa apologized for his remark calling women "baby-making machines" during the Lower House plenary session yesterday afternoon: "I employed an inappropriate term that hurt women. I offered an apology to the nation, particularly women." Prime Minister SHINZO Abe, too, stated: "I also deemed it as inappropriate, and strongly reprimanded (Yanagisawa) not to cause any misunderstanding." Later in the day, when asked about the opposition camp's call for Yanagisawa's resignation at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Abe rejected it: "He withdrew his remark and apologized. I expect him to regain public trust by doing his duty." During the Lower House plenary session, ABE referred to Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma's remark casting doubts on the Japanese government's support for America's opening of the war against Iraq and stated, "I've confirmed that Mr. Kyuma also supports the government's position," rejecting the criticism of discord in the cabinet. Kyuma, too, stated: "At the time, I stated what I felt in the capacity of a non-cabinet member. I support the government's position." 9) Criticism growing of Health Minister Yanagisawa's "baby-making machines" remark, casting doubt on his qualifications for the post; Female lawmakers calling for his resignation MAINICHI (Page 5) (Almost full) January 30, 2007 Keishi Yoshida The government is trying to draw a curtain on the case of Health Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa's provocative remark that referred to women as "baby-making machines" by Prime Minister SHINZO Abe's strong reprimand of Yanagisawa that was followed by Yanagisawa's apology and withdrawal of the remark. But the criticism is not going to stop, causing wide repercussions. Even officials in his ministry are baffled. Yanagisawa has rejected the idea of resigning, but his qualifications to be the minister in charge of the falling birthrate are now being questioned. Yanagisawa stated in a speech given in Matsue City on Jan. 27: "The number of child-bearing machines or devices is fixed. Each should do her best." The implication is that because the number of women who will reach childbearing age in the near future is fixed, the declining birthrate will not stop unless each woman gives birth to more babies. This provocative remark came out when Yanagisawa gave an account of a new population estimate that the total fertility rate (indicating the average number of babies one woman will give birth to in her lifetime) would stay at the same 1.25 as in 2005. TOKYO 00000402 007 OF 011 Meeting the press yesterday, Yanagisawa explained: "I then felt my words were not fully understood by my audience in the hall. So I thought from my experience of being engaged in economic affairs that it might be (easier) to understand if I used a metaphor by citing goods." In the Lower House plenary session, Yanagisawa denied the possibility of his stepping down from the post, stating: "I'll put all my efforts into working out measures against the falling birthrate." The government and the ruling parties, as well, intend to defend Yanagisawa on the ground that he corrected his problem remark right after making it in his speech. The government will shortly establish a strategic council on the declining birthrate. Turning around the previous measures centering on economic support, such as child allowances, the government instead intends to shed light on lifestyles, such as working patterns, and come up with measures that will make it possible for women to balance work and child-rearing. Yanagisawa is among the members of that council, but the problem occurred just before the council was set up. The opposition parties are raising objections to Yanagisawa, with one member arguing, "What he said is the same as forcing women to give birth to babies for the sake of the state." Social Democratic Party (SDP) President Mizuho Fukushima and other lawmakers met with Yanagisawa in the Diet last evening and handed him a letter of request for his resignation made by 28 female lawmakers of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto or DPJ),the Japanese Communist Party, and the SDP. However, when he met with them, Yanagisawa commented, "I had my daughters take the same education as men did." This comment was frowned upon by them. Later in the day, Yanagisawa told reporters, "I have encouraged women to take part in society." A senior Health Ministry official lamented: "He was born in 1935 (and is 71 years old). So he unintentionally used the word 'machines,' but that term must be avoided by all means when we describe women." Yanagisawa had to admit that there would be some impact on deliberations on relevant laws, saying: "Of course there will be." 10) Poll: Nonsupport rate for ABE over 40%, up 13 points; Disapproval tops approval SANKEI (Top play) (Abridged) January 30, 2007 The approval and disapproval ratings for the cabinet of Prime Minister SHINZO ABE have traded places, the Sankei Shimbun discovered from a recent public opinion survey. In the poll, which was conducted by Fuji News Network (FNN) on Jan. 27-28 to probe public attitudes toward politics, the ABE cabinet recorded a support rate of 39.1%, and a nonsupport rate of 40.9%. The last time the cabinet disapproval rate exceeded the approval rating was in July 2004 during the Koizumi administration. The current slide can be taken as resulting from scandals involving cabinet ministers, such as their unclear handling of political funds for their electoral offices. However, educational reform topped all other tasks when respondents were asked what the ABE cabinet should pursue first in the current Diet session. This shows that the public has a better understanding of the prime minister's educational reform initiative. TOKYO 00000402 008 OF 011 The support rate for the ABE cabinet was down 8.6%age points from the 47.7% rating in a Fuji-Sankei survey conducted from November last year through December. The nonsupport rate was up 13.2 points from 27.7%. The lowest support rate for the Koizumi cabinet was 40.7% in July 2004. The approval rating last fell below 40% in February 2001 when the Mori cabinet was in office. Among women, the support rate for the ABE cabinet was 39.6%, with the nonsupport rate at 36.9%. As seen from these figures, the approval rating was higher than the disapproval rating among women. Among men, however, the disapproval rating reached 48.7%, with the approval rating at 38.5%. In the survey, respondents were also asked whether they appreciated the ABE cabinet's job performance. In response to this question, negative answers outnumbered affirmative ones for job performance, excluding the prime minister's personal character. In particular, 63.4% were negative about Abe's way of dealing with scandals and allegations involving his cabinet ministers. However, the public was split over the ABE cabinet's educational reform initiative that tops its agenda, with 37.2% affirmative and 39.1% negative. Among those who support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, affirmative answers accounted for 55.4%. 11) Controversial remarks by cabinet ministers undermine image of Abe administration NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Excerpts) January 30, 2007 The fallout of a succession of controversial remarks by cabinet ministers has influenced the management of the ABE administration. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma made statements criticizing the United States, and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa compared women to baby-making machines. In addition, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Shimomura indicated that he would not insist on the idea of having three education reform bills passed in the current Diet session. These statements are expected to undermine the image of the ABE administration. Intensifying reactions Yanagisawa offered an apology in a House of Representatives plenary session yesterday over his controversial remark. Prior to this, the prime minister had admonished him, but the furor is only escalating. State Minister in Charge of the Declining Birthrate Sanae Takaichi said before reporters: "Since it is almost impossible for me to have a child, I am branded as defective, according to his view." The government announced yesterday that it would establish a new body for relevant cabinet ministers and experts to map out countermeasures to the falling birthrate. But the statement by the health minister blurs the government's eagerness to tackle the issue. After the Lower House plenary session yesterday, 16 female lawmakers from Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),the Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) called on Yanagisawa to withdraw the remark and resign. Minshuto, the SDP, and the People's New Party will jointly demand Yanagisawa's resignation today. Despair in the Defense Ministry TOKYO 00000402 009 OF 011 The defense minister has repeatedly criticized the United States over the Iraq war and US force realignment. In response, Policy Research Council Chairman Shoichi Nakagawa expressed a sense of alarm, saying, "The current relationship of trust between Japan and the US might be impaired." The defense minister said in the Lower House plenary session yesterday: "I have made a stir, but there is no need to worry. On the issue of US force realignment, too, we have come near to a settlement." Since last year, Kyuma has repeatedly made unusual remarks and offered apologies. Should he continue criticizing the US, he might be pressed to resign. Defense Ministry officials have thrown their hands up in despair over Kyuma's series of controversial remarks. A government source admitted yesterday that the US government had unofficially expressed its displeasure with the criticisms by the defense minister. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura made a statement indicating that he would not insist on the idea of having three education reform bills passed in the current Diet session, despite the prime minister's eagerness to rebuild the education system. His remark has also caused a stir. Politics and money issue as double-edged sword Prime Minister ABE told LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa yesterday, "The issue should be discussed in the party, with a focus on the revision of the Political Funds Control Law." In the party, though, some members are calling for strengthening the party rules instead of revising the law. If the party fails to revise the law, criticism may come its way. The legal revision issue is a double-edged sword. 12) LDP aims to submit bill amending Political Funds Control Law to current Diet session YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) January 30, 2007 The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided yesterday to revise the Political Funds Control Law in the current Diet session in light of large sums of money reported as office expenses by the political fund organizations of cabinet ministers and senior ruling party members. Prime Minister ABE called in Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa to the Kantei last night and told him, "I want discussion to be conducted in the party, with an eye on revising the law," falling in step with Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) and the New Komeito, which are also calling for amending the law. In the process of working out revision bills, however, negotiations are unlikely to go smoothly. The prime minister told reporters last night: "I have instructed (Secretary General Nakagawa) to correct what must be corrected in order to regain public trust." Regarding office expenses, the current law requires politicians to report only their total amounts in mandatory annual political fund reports, and not to attach receipts or detail what the expenses were spent for. Seeing office-expense scandals involving Agriculture Minister Matsuoka, Education Minister and other lawmakers cropping up in succession, many are calling for revising the Political Funds TOKYO 00000402 010 OF 011 Control Law. 13) LDP to recommend Fujii as candidate for Gifu district in Upper House election, though it will officially endorse Ono as its candidate for the district ASAHI (Page 4) (Slightly abridged) January 30, 2007 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has decided to offer "party headquarters' recommendation" to Takao Fujii, who has announced his candidacy for the Gifu prefectural district (two seats up for reelection) in the House of Councillors election in the summer. Fujii bolted the LDP after opposing the government's sponsored postal-privatization legislation and was defeated in the 2005 House of Representatives election. In consideration of dropping support for the ABE cabinet, the LDP leadership has decided not to allow former party members who lost their Diet seats to rejoin the party, but Fujii will become a candidate on the LDP ticket. Party headquarters will likely officially endorse incumbent Upper House member Tsuyako Ono. Although the LDP has decided to field one candidate in principle even in the two-seats district like Gifu, it has judged that it will be no problem to recommend Fujii, since the party's Gifu prefectural chapter has called for giving its recommendation to him. The party's decision to recommend Fujii has already been approved by senior members of the party's Upper and Lower Houses. The LDP has reportedly conveyed its decision to Fujii. A senior LDP member stressed: "Our party will officially endorse him but will not recognize him or allow him back into the party." However, giving Fujii the party's recommendation will likely mean that the LDP will allow him to return. 14) Akira Imaizumi to be tabbed Upper House vice president ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) January 30, 2007 Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) yesterday picked Akira Imaizumi as vice president of the House of Councillors, replacing Giichi Tsunoda, who is stepping down to take responsibility for an alleged SIPDIS fund scandal. Imaizumi is now serving as secretary general of Minshuto's Upper House caucus. The expectation is that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner New Komeito will agree to Minshuto's recommendation. Imaizumi will be named today at the Upper House plenary session and Tsunoda's resignation will be approved there. Minshuto also decided to pick Acting Upper House Secretary General Toshio Ogawa, 58, as Imaizumi's replacement. It has been the practice that the Upper House vice presidential post is held by a lawmaker of the largest opposition party. Minshuto usually recommends its Upper House chairman to the post, but following Tsunoda's sudden resignation, Imaizumi will be serving in the post until July when Tsunoda's term as vice president expires. Imaizumi represents the Chiba prefectural district. He graduated from Waseda University. He has served in such posts as acting chairman of Zenkinrengo, chairman of Yu-i-kai, Minshuto Upper House Diet Affairs Committee chairman, and Upper House National Basic TOKYO 00000402 011 OF 011 Policy Committee chairman. He was elected twice to the Upper House. He is 72 years old. DONOVAN