DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/07/07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TOKYO 004187 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: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/07/07 Index: (1) US Ambassador to Japan urges DPJ to reconsider its stance on Antiterrorism Law (2) Ambassador Schieffer: Japan's withdrawal will take a toll on other countries; Expresses hope for DPJ's concession on Antiterrorism Law (3) Antiterrorism Law: New legislation requiring Diet approval may block redeployment of SDF (4) Interview with DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair Masayuki Naoshima: Government must first review Antiterrorism Law (5) Antiterror law extension issue: Not extending legislation means abandoning responsibility to international community (6) 2007 Close-up column -- Japan-DPRK working-group talks: Dialogue occurs but produces no results (7) Maneuvering over committee chairman posts between LDP Upper House caucus and DPJ (8) Clear differences in Abe's appointment of Ishihara, Suga, Shiozaki (9) ABE cabinet's first 10 days after shuffle: Improprieties, suspicions day after day (10) Japan claims Taiwan's UN bid rejected in inappropriate interpretation (11) TOP HEADLINES (12) EDITORIALS (13) Prime Minister's schedule, September 6 ARTICLES: (1) US Ambassador to Japan urges DPJ to reconsider its stance on Antiterrorism Law NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) Evening, September 7, 2007 Washington, Hiroshi Maruya Giving a speech in Washington, US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer on Sept. 6 revealed his high expectation of Japan to extend its Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 1. He noted, "Japan's role is decisively important." At the same time, he urged Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa, who is opposing an extension, to reconsider his stance, saying, "I want DPJ head Ichiro Ozawa to make a decision that transcends partisan disputes and to focus on other issues in highlighting differences between the DPJ and the government." The law serves as the basis for dispatching the Maritime Self-Defense Force's vessels for refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. Schieffer pointed out, "Japan's refueling activities are not TOKYO 00004187 002 OF 015 just a matter concerning US vessels. They are important for Britain and Pakistan, which are unable to engage in the operations if refueled by the US." He stressed that Pakistan is the only Islamic country that is taking part in the Coalition of the Willing. He then expressed concern: "(Pakistan's participation) is sending a strong message to Afghanistan and other Middle East nations. If Japan ends its operations, Pakistan would basically opt out of the Coalition of the Willing." (2) Ambassador Schieffer: Japan's withdrawal will take a toll on other countries; Expresses hope for DPJ's concession on Antiterrorism Law MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) Evening, September 7, 2007 Masaya Oikawa, Washington US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer delivered a speech in Washington on September 6. Regarding the fact that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is opposing an extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, Schieffer said: "I want the DPJ to become aware that Japan is playing an extremely important and unique role in the war on terrorism. If Japan withdraws, it would take a toll on other countries." He thus expressed his hope that the DPJ would make a compromise to allow Japan to continue its refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. Touching on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's "unique activities," the ambassador also indicated that finding Japan's replacement would be difficult, saying: "Japan has been providing fuel that is higher in quality than America's. US fuel is unusable for British and Pakistani naval vessels that need quality fuel. Japan's withdrawal would end up driving Pakistan, the only Islamic country taking part in the operations, out of the coalition of the willing." The ambassador also expressed his hope that the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea would be settled through the six-party talks, stating: "The US government has urged North Korea to heed Japan's claims and take action accordingly." (3) Antiterrorism Law: New legislation requiring Diet approval may block redeployment of SDF MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) September 7, 2007 The government and ruling parties are stepping up their efforts to extend the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which is certain to take center stage in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session. In anticipation of disappointing results, they are also planning to present new legislation in addition to aiming at an extension of the existing law. Nevertheless, given the opposition control of the House of Councillors and DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa's persistent opposition to extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in the Indian Ocean, chances are slim for the new legislation to clear the Diet. Two intentions lie behind the government and ruling bloc's plan to present new legislation. TOKYO 00004187 003 OF 015 One is to come up with a revised bill that fully reflects the opposition's demands. Defense Minister Masahiko Komura said in a speech on September 3: "This may sound too extreme, but we are ready to accept any requests of the opposition camp." The government and ruling parties are now ready to respond "flexibly" to the DPJ's demands for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and a prior Diet approval system. DPJ President Ozawa is opposing the US-led antiterrorism operation in and near Afghanistan, including the MSDF's refueling services in the Indian Ocean, citing a lack of UN authorization. The largest opposition party does not give the slightest indication of going along with the government's plan. The other is to continue with Diet deliberations beyond November 1. Even if the Antiterrorism Law is not extended, the presentation of new legislation would result in further Diet deliberations. Although the MSDF would be forced to discontinue its operation temporarily, the government might soon be able to redeploy them. The Lower House can by a two-thirds majority overturn the rejection of a bill by the Upper House. Redeployment of the SDF still comes with the tough requirement of Diet approval. The Antiterrorism Law requires Diet approval within 20 days of issuance of a dispatch order. If new legislation includes a provision requiring Diet approval, SDF troops would not be able to head back for the Indian Ocean unless the Upper House approves it. There are ways, however, to allow redeployment under new legislation, such are replacing Diet approval with reports to the Diet. This approach could result in criticism as ignoring civilian control. The opposition camp might also submit a censure motion and throw the Diet into turmoil. (4) Interview with DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair Masayuki Naoshima: Government must first review Antiterrorism Law Asahi (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) September 7, 2007 Q: You chair the Policy Research Committee. You are also a member of the House of Councillors, which is now controlled by the opposition. Naoshima: I am responsible for putting together party views in order to turn our Upper House election manifesto (campaign pledges) into lawmaker-initiated legislation. We will present our policies that are clearly distinct from those of the LDP and New Komeito. The next general election must be an election allowing the people to choose an administration. I will do my utmost to make that happen. Q: Specifically what are you going to do to increase your party's ability to hold the reins of government? Naoshima: I think we are quite capable of producing solid policies. At the same time, it is essential for us to implement what is decided while conducting active discussions so as not to be criticized as lacking unity. Q: What is your view of Prime Minister Abe's policies? Naoshima: Although he actively talks about his policies, his goals are not clear. For instance, he advocates "proactive diplomacy," but TOKYO 00004187 004 OF 015 if that is contributing to raising Japan's position in the international community is highly questionable. His reputation owes partially to his hawkish stance toward North Korea. His true worth cannot be determined without results. Q: Prime Minister ABE has not stepped down despite the LDP's crushing defeat in the July Upper House election. Naoshima: The party headed by Mr. ABE suffered a serious setback in the election. I honestly don't know if a cabinet led by such a person can win public trust. The defeat was devastating. Q: How are you going to respond to the question of extending the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law? Naoshima: Basically we are opposed to the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean. I don't think any special measure should be extended automatically. Q: Some in the government are discussing new legislation. Naoshima: We want to know what is actually going on out there. We know some are military secrets, but the government has hardly disclosed any information. What's more, the government has not reviewed the refueling activities of six years, during which the law has been extended three times. Under a situation like this, we cannot move forward. (5) Antiterror law extension issue: Not extending legislation means abandoning responsibility to international community YOMIURI (Page 12) (Full) September 7, 2007 Takakazu Kuriyama, former ambassador to US The extraordinary Diet session is to be convened on Sept. 10. The focus of highest attention will be on an extension of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. Refueling operations by the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) in the Indian Ocean, carried out based on the said law, is part of Operation Enduring Freedom - Maritime Interdiction Operations (OEF-MIO) intended to contain the movements of terrorists and terrorism-related goods. However, in reality, the MSDF is purely assisting police activities against terrorism. As much information as possible on the specifics of the MSDF's operations should be subject to disclosure. There may be room for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss a revision of the law, including the duration of an extension. However, if the law expires in November due to opposition from the opposition bloc, entailing the end of the MSDF operations, then it would mean that Japan has abandoned its responsibility to the international community. When the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in the US, I was teaching international relations at a university. I immediately took up this incident in my lecture. The point of this lecture was that although the incident seemingly occurred in the form of anti-American terrorism, it was, in essence, a serious act of sabotage against the international order, one that the international community as a whole, including Japan, must tackle in unity. I also pointed out that democratic society should take terrorist attacks like this as a TOKYO 00004187 005 OF 015 serious threat to its basic values (freedom, human rights, generosity and open socio-economic system). At the end of my lecture, I stressed that Japan is responsible for the international community and it should consider what it should do in protecting international order. The Antiterrorism Special Measures Law was enacted shortly after the incident in line with such thinking. The international community showed unprecedented unity, broadly sharing a sense of crisis caused by the terrorist attacks by the international terrorist group al-Qaeda. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 1368 the next day. Acknowledging in its preamble member nations' right to individual and collective self-defense, the resolution sought cooperation from the international community to prevent terrorism and to bring it under control, identifying the incident as a threat to international peace and security. The North American Treaty Organization (NATO) expressed its solidarity with the US, acknowledging the 9/11 terrorist attacks as an armed attack that must be dealt with jointly. Military activities against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and al-Qaeda, which had been under the regime's protection, by the coalition of US and British troops gained broad support from the international community as an example of the exercise of the right to self-defense granted under the UNSC resolution. As this fact indicates, the antiterror operations in Afghanistan are not a war the US launched on its own without UN approval, as the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) claims. The 9/11 terrorist attacks are not a war in a traditional sense of the term. However, their essence is not at all different from armed attacks prohibited under the UN Charter in its essence (organized and planned use of armed forces). As such, the UN resolution justifies the exercise of the right of self-defense by UN member nations. That is to say, the resolution has determined that the Taliban regime, which protects a terrorist group, cannot claim sovereignty to counter the victim country's justifiable right to counterattack. Even now many countries are sharing responsibility for protecting the international order from terrorists and continuing difficult and painstaking operations to bring Taliban militants under control and reconstruct Afghanistan. At present, eight nations are taking part in maritime assistance operations; 37 countries are dispatching international security assistance troops; and about 20 countries are taking part in ground operations. I hope that the meaning of Japan bearing its international responsibility by taking part in these operations will be fully taken into account when whether it is appropriate to extend the law is decided. Takakazu Kuriyama: Former ambassador to the US. Served as vice foreign minister, ambassador to Malaysia and North American Affairs Bureau director general. Former visiting professor at Waseda University. 76 years old. (6) 2007 Close-up column -- Japan-DPRK working-group talks: Dialogue occurs but produces no results MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) September 7, 2007 TOKYO 00004187 006 OF 015 Yudai Nakazawa, Seiji Nishioka, Ulan Bator The two-day session of Japan-North Korea talks in their working group on diplomatic normalization, held on Sept. 5-6 in Mongolia, focused on how to "settle the past" and how to resolve the "abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea." It ended by taking on an entirely different aspect from the previous round in March, when the two delegations clashed with each other. This change is attributable to the circumstances the North and Japan are respectively being placed in. Specifically, the North Koreans needed to demonstrate their willingness to have talks with the Japanese so as to prod the United States to remove the DPRK from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Meanwhile, Japan needed to look for ways to shift from a stalled hard-line policy line set by Prime Minister SHINZO Abe. Although even in the current round of talks, the North was unchanged in its attitude that the abduction issue "has been already settled," Japan found itself in a difficult situation where it needed to show a dialogue between the two countries even though there were no results. North Korea, conscious of its image in America's eye, improves its attitude toward Japan "We've decided to meet in this working group at frequent intervals whenever possible," said Kim Chol Ho, vice director of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, indicating the "results" of the working group talks at a press conference yesterday evening after everything was over. Unlike in the past, Kim's press remarks were strewn with such buzzwords as "sincerity" and "trust." North Korea was eager to create a mood of dialogue for both days. It sent nine delegates to the working group talks this time, increasing the number of its team from the previous five. It added to the delegation this time an expert on diplomacy toward Japan who had been tasked with the abduction issue in comprehensive dual-track talks between Japan and North Korea in February 2006. The previous round of working-group talks saw the North Korean delegates walk out of the conference room after only three hours of discussion, but this time instead, North Korea was sincere in its respondes to Japan. Behind this shift in the North's attitude seems to be the progress occurring in the six-party talks. During the US-North Korea talks in their working group on diplomatic normalization in Geneva on Sept. 1-2, the North agreed with the US to implement, by the end of the year, the "second-stage action" toward denuclearization, namely: (1) disabling the nuclear facilities in the North and (2) reporting all nuclear programs. The North vigorously played up its closeness to the US. Reportedly, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told the North that "it is important for you to improve relations with Japan." Given this, the North perhaps needed to accept a certain degree of America's request and show their willingness to have "dialogue with Japan." Supposedly aware of this, Kim seemed to highlight at a press briefing "his readiness to cooperate with Japan" on the issue of how to treat the JAL Yodo-go hijackers. Apparently, the North Koreans hope to improve relations with Japan swiftly as one North Korean economic official reportedly stated: "Japan's economic sanctions have been a body blow to our country." TOKYO 00004187 007 OF 015 At the same time this official went on to say, "Since we have good relations with countries other than Japan, we don't have to hold a dialogue promptly with the ABE administration, which is hostile to us." During the working-group talks this time, the North Korean delegation did not often use the language that "the abduction issue has been already settled" as it had done before, but this does not mean that the North has shifted its fundamental position toward Japan. North Korea appears to be examining if there is any change to the ABE administration's policy, while avoiding a confrontation and delaying substantive discussion. Japan finds itself isolated and begins shifting its strategy "There is not much change in North Korea's assertions, but we've been able to confirm that both of us will hold talks with sincerity in order to resolve the outstanding issues," Japanese Ambassador Yoshiki Mine in charge of diplomatic normalization talks with North Korea told reporters after the working-group session and emphasized a "certain degree of results." In the past Japan had given the top priority to the abduction issue, but in the working-group talks this time, Japan indicated its consideration for North Korea here and there, for instance, by agreeing to first discuss the issue of how to settle the past, a major matter of concern for the North Koreans. As part of this effort, on the first day of the talks on Sept. 5, Japan suddenly invited the North Korean delegates to a dinner party at the Japanese Embassy. The event was wrapped in a friendly mood with North Korean Ambassador Song Il Ho, who is in charge of diplomatic normalization talks with Japan, talking in Japanese about his career as a diplomat. Behind this friendly mood was Japan's judgment that it would be difficult to move North Korea only with a tough attitude. Japan has found itself further isolated from the international community. Meanwhile, the US government shifted to a conciliatory attitude toward the North and has begun moving to delist the North as a state sponsor of terrorism. In order to resolve the abduction issue, Japan at one point aimed to tighten the noose around the North, but this strategy has now stalled. Additionally, Prime Minister SHINZO ABE recently reshuffled his cabinet to boost its popularity, but because scandals involving his cabinet ministers came to light one after the other, he is facing difficulty even in simply keeping his administration going. In the past his hard-line stance against the North was one factor boosting "Abe's popularity," but this has now changed greatly. Yet, "If he fails to produce a certain level of results in dealing with the abduction issue, his administration will run up a blind alley," a government official commented. As if to take advantage of that circumstance, the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) in its newspaper reported: "We can catch a glimpse of change emerging in Japan's attitude. Japan has found it difficult to retain its previous stance any longer." The "changes" shown by Japan in the working-group talks this time would be taken as a new approach to resolving the issue. With no substantive results produced in the recent round, either, TOKYO 00004187 008 OF 015 Abe commented to the press corps at the Prime Minister's Official Residence: "Because the abduction issue did not make any progress, I can't say that the talks this time produced results even though both sides were able to hold discussions." The hard-line policy toward the North appears to be ineffective, but it is not safe to say that a soft line can make that country change its mind. The ABE administration is likely to waver for some time before it fixes its strategy toward the North. (7) Maneuvering over committee chairman posts between LDP Upper House caucus and DPJ SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) September 7, 2007 The Diet, in which the opposition camp controls the House of Councillors and the ruling block holds a majority in the House of Representatives, will open an extraordinary session on Sept. 10. Ahead of the convocation of the extra session, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) have continued a tug-of-war over which party will control the chairmanships of the standing committees. The reason is that the DPJ has demanded such major committee chairman posts as those of the Budget Committee and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in addition to chairman of the Steering Committee. The LDP has begun considering taking a strategy of dumping the Upper House management on the DPJ's lap, while waiting and seeing how the DPJ will handle issues. It is also mulling the adoption of a strategy of total war against the opposition camp. In a meeting of the directors of the Upper House Steering Committee, which began on Sept. 4, a close game has continued between, Hiroshige Seko, chief director of the LDP, and Katsuya Ogawa, the DPJ's chief director. Ogawa stressed: "The political situation has changed since the July Upper House election. I would like to start the debate based on a new point of view." Seko said: "Following tradition, the LDP gave posts to the DPJ. Don't you remember that our Diet Affairs Committee chairmen have agreed to follow the conventional practices?" Ogawa replied: "I haven't heard about it." At the latest extraordinary Diet session, which held on Aug. 7-10, the Diet Affairs Committee chairmen of the two parties agreed that the Steering Committee chairman post would go to the DPJ, while the LDP would hold on to the Budget Committee chairmanship. In a study session of the DPJ held on Sept. 3 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, however, President Ichiro Ozawa told Upper House Caucus Chairman Azuma Koshiishi: "I want you to get the major committee chairman posts." Since then, the DPJ Upper House caucus has completely changed its stance, threatening to take a vote at the plenary session. This means the end of the consensus-building management of the Upper House, which lasted for a long time between former LDP Chairman Mikio Aoki and Koshiishi. Since the DPJ has already held the posts of Upper House president and Steering Committee chairman, its initiative is unshaken. In addition, if the largest opposition party TOKYO 00004187 009 OF 015 grabs the chairman of the Budget Committee, in which the main battles will be engaged, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which will deliberate a bill revising the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, and the chairman of the Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare, which will deal with the pension issue, the DPJ will be able to easily control all in the Upper House. Therefore, the LDP Upper House caucus has begun looking into the possibility of dumping Upper House management on the LDP's lap. The LDP has done such things as behind-the-scenes maneuvering, live telecast arrangements, and interpretation of the Diet Law and precedents. Leaving those matters to the DPJ, which has no know-how, the LDP intends to shut its eyes to them. The LDP also eyes locking horns with the DPJ. Even if the DPJ insists on elections of the chairmen at a plenary session, such elections would not occur unless the current chairmen resign. It is possible for the opposition to submit censure motions against chairmen to sack them. However since those censure motions do not have the force of law, the present chairmen can stay on in their posts. A senior LDP Upper House member stated: "The distorted Diet is like an airplane which has the right engine on its left side and the left engine on its right side. It is impossible to control. If the DPJ controls the plane, it will definitely stall." The maneuvering in the Upper House might spill over into the Lower House. One mid-level LDP lawmakers blatantly said: "If the DPJ defiantly controls the Upper House, the LDP and New Komeito will do so in the Lower House. The DPJ should understand what will happen if the ruling coalition, which has two-thirds of the Lower House members, grabs all the committee chairman posts and if we do not at all cooperate with it." (8) Clear differences in Abe's appointment of Ishihara, Suga, Shiozaki NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 5, 2007 Prime Minister SHINZO Abe's appointments of new cabinet ministers and top posts of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) showed a sharp difference between the friends of Abe, who worked hard to back ABE in the LDP presidential election last year. In a meeting of the LDP General Council, Nobuteru Ishihara, new chairman of the Policy Research Council, got concurrence on his proposal that a meeting to hear from residents in provisional areas be held in eight places across the nation. He said: "I would like to hold a meeting of policy chiefs in each bloc to discern the views of regional areas." He will hold a meeting on Sept. 5 in Kyoto. Of the LDP candidates that ran in the 29 single-seat electoral districts, six won and 23 were defeated. Some candidates and regional chapters are dissatisfied with the party. The new leadership is now forced to come up with measures. TOKYO 00004187 010 OF 015 Although the three party executives, including then Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, were replaced, there is smoldering criticism against the promotion of Ishihara from deputy secretary general to chairman of the Policy Research Council among party members. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori pointed out: "There still remain friends of the prime minister in the cabinet." There is an icy view in the party that the prime minister picked persons whom he likes as his cabinet ministers. Yoshihide Suga is probably satisfied with his new post, director of the party's Election Strategy Headquarters General Affairs. ABE initially planned to name Suga chief cabinet secretary, but he later changed it due to his office expense issue, which came up immediately before ABE reshuffled his cabinet. Because of such reasons as the resignation of Takehiko Endo as minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries only a week after Abe launched the new cabinet, there is a growing mood in the LDP that it will be difficult to contest the next Lower House election under Abe's lead. Some in the party, however, expect that with the appointment of Suga, whom ABE puts his trust in, as the person who will manage the next Lower House election, the prime minister intends to dissolve the Lower House on his own decision. Suga said: "Dismissing people is my job. It is my usual task, but it is a thankless role." He is enthusiastic about coordinating candidates in electoral districts between the "Koizumi children" who were elected in the 2005 Lower House election, and the postal rebels, who were reinstated into the LDP. Yasuhisa Shiozaki, who served as chief cabinet secretary in the previous ABE cabinet, currently has no government position. A rumor was going around that Shiozaki would be picked as deputy chairman of the Policy Research Council, but that rumor has come to nothing. On Sept. 1, Shiozaki returned to Matsuyama, his hometown, to which he was unable to go back when he was serving as chief cabinet secretary. He appeared on a local radio program on the 2nd. He looks SIPDIS over documents while listening to Eric Clapton's songs at his lodging in the Lower House members. There are various views in the LDP that Secretary General Taro Aso prevented Shiozaki from becoming Ishihara's deputy and that the prime minister shifted the responsibility for the devastating defeat in the July Upper House election to Shiozaki. Shiozaki quipped to his aides: "I will support Mr. ABE even after I resign." (9) ABE cabinet's first 10 days after shuffle: Improprieties, suspicions day after day AKAHATA (Page 3) (Full) September 6, 2007 Though a little more than 10 days have now passed since Prime Minister SHINZO ABE shuffled his cabinet, we already have seen a number of improprieties involving his cabinet ministers and other LDP legislators over "politics and money." Incidents have been brought to light almost every day, with no end seemingly in sight. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takehiko Endo and Parliamentary Foreign Secretary Yukiko Sakamoto have already resigned to take responsibility for their respective scandal. Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tokuichiro Tamazawa has TOKYO 00004187 011 OF 015 also quit the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "It's like a big fire that is out of control, and Prime Minister ABE lacks the power or energy to put it out," quipped one LDP middle-ranking lawmaker serving in the House of Representatives who seemingly has resigned himself to the abnormal situation. It is clear that the ABE cabinet has no self-purging capability. Presented below is a calendar of allegations that starts when the new cabinet was launched. Let's turn its pages... Day 1-Monday, August 27: Prime Minister ABE shuffled his cabinet and appointed a new LDP executive lineup. Fumio Kishida, newly appointed to the cabinet post of state minister for Okinawa and the northern territories, corrected his annual political fund reports for 2003 and 2004. Receipts attached to the political fund reports for about 10 million yen spent on political activities were not addressed to his fund management body. Kishida therefore rewrote and changed the names of these addresses to the name of his fund management body. He attached these readdressed receipts to his political fund reports. Furthermore, he attached copies of the original receipts to his corrected annual political fund reports on the grounds that the rewritten receipts alone could cause misunderstanding. Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the LDP General Council, also corrected his annual political fund reports. A local branch of Nikai's campaign club in his home constituency had been using an office offered by a local supporter at no cost. Nikai corrected rent claims for the local branch's office in his annual political fund reports. Day 2-Tuesday, August 28 Prime Minister SHINZO ABE was found to have made bookkeeping errors in records of political contributions. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga launched a branch of his campaign club in his home constituency in 1997. However, the branch's office building was not registered as legal property for 10 years. Day 3-Wednesday, August 29 A person in charge of accounts for a fund management body of Yutaka Kobayashi, a House of Councillors member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and others were prosecuted on the charge of violating the Public Offices Election Law. They are suspected of having bought votes. Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tokuichiro Tamazawa submitted his annual political fund report for 2003 with many copies of receipts that have the same serial numbers. One of these receipts was used five times. A branch of Parliamentary Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry Kenji Ogiwara's campaign club in his home constituency was found to have paid his home's electricity charges for four months from July ¶2005. Day 4-Thursday, August 30 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takehiko Endo was found to have received inappropriate contributions from a cooperative subsidized by an independent administrative agency under his TOKYO 00004187 012 OF 015 ministry's jurisdiction. Endo has returned the money. Day 5-Friday, August 31 A mutual aid association headed by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo was found to have illegally received 1.15 million yen in subsidy from the state coffers. Endo was found to have done nothing about this in spite of the Board of Audit's warning. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Mitsuhide Iwaki was found to have crossed out his income of 500,000 yen from party tickets yen and changed it to a donation in his annual political fund report for ¶2005. An LDP local chapter headed by Parliamentary Foreign Secretary Yukiko Sakamoto in her home constituency and an association of local supporters were found to have added up fictitious meeting expenses in her annual political fund reports with the same receipts. A local branch of LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nobuteru Ishihara's campaign club in his home constituency was found to have falsified the amount of payments for his use of halls for his town meetings, adding up the amount of money ten times the actual amount of payments. Day 6-Saturday, September 1 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo admitted that he knew in 2004 about the fact that a mutual aid association headed by him had received government subsidies illegally. Endo denied his resignation as minister. Prime Minister ABE only commented: "I have yet to have a detailed explanation. He must give an appropriate explanation." Day 7-Sunday, September 2 An opposition party leader, appearing on a TV talk show, stressed his party's intention to submit a censure motion against Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano conveyed the LDP's atmosphere to Endo. SIPDIS Day 8-Monday, September 3 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Endo resigned over the issue of illegally receiving government subsidies. Parliamentary Foreign Secretary Sakamoto resigned over the issue of adding up meeting expenses in her annual political fund report. Former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tamazawa admitted to his falsification of receipts attached to his annual political fund report. He left the LDP. Day 9-Tuesday, September 4 Yutaka Kobayashi, an LDP House of Councillors member, resigned from his Diet membership over his campaign staff's violation of the Public Offices Election Law. Defense Minister Masahiko Komura's annual political fund report had a description of 9 million yen as a "donation." However, it became TOKYO 00004187 013 OF 015 clear that on Aug. 29, two days after the ABE cabinet's shuffle, Komura changed the description to "spending on political activities." Day 10-Wednesday, September 5 Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita could not account for a gap of 8 million yen with his fund management body's borrowings. Yoko Kamikawa, state minister in charge of declining birthrate, corrected her annual political fund report on the grounds that she had failed to report loans. (10) Japan claims Taiwan's UN bid rejected in inappropriate interpretation SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 7, 2007 TAIPEI-Ban Ki Moon, secretary general of the United Nations, has now turned down Taiwan's initial bid to join the United Nations on the grounds that the United Nations maintains the "one China" policy. In response, Japan made an unusual proposal last month to the United Nations Secretariat through its mission to the United Nations, claiming that the acknowledgment of Taiwan's status is interpreted in an inappropriate way. The Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ), an entity representing Japan in Taiwan, revealed the proposal yesterday. In September 1972, Japan and China released a joint statement, in which Japan took the position that Japan "understands" and "respects" China's claim of "one China." Basically, Japan's position is that Japan has not consented to that claim. The proposal to the UN Secretariat this time clarifies the Japanese government's understanding that it is inappropriate for the United Nations to interpret the "one China" policy as its general interpretation in its secretary general's view. Japan made the proposal about a half month ago, following the United States. The Japanese government also conveyed its basic understanding on the question of the postwar title to Taiwan through its mission to the United Nations, maintaining that Japan-although it gave up on Taiwan in the San Francisco Peace Treaty-is not in a position to say where Taiwan should belong. (11) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Tokyo Shimbun: Typhoon No. 9 hits Kanto region: JR East to reduce train services in morning Mainichi: Political funds: Nikai faction also found to have failed to enter 1.66 million yen in income from fund-raising parties in fund report Yomiuri: Defined-contribution pension funds left unmanaged: 21.1 billion yen for 80,000 contributors who failed to report when retiring or changing jobs Nikkei: Industrial gas companies to cut supply to chip manufacturers: TOKYO 00004187 014 OF 015 Electronic equipment production likely to be affected Sankei: Cash awards to informants of unexposed crimes Akahata: JCP proposes revision of Self-Reliance Support Law (12) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Japan-DPRK talks as occasion for reconciliation (2) Environment Minister Kamoshita: Just correcting erroneous entries in fund reports will not do Mainichi: (1) Unpaid corporate pension benefits: End passive application system (2) Fixed number of Upper House seats: Leaving a gap is not acceptable Yomiuri: (1) Japan-DPRK working group: Be alert to North Korea's attempt to stir things up (2) Unpaid corporate pension benefits: It is negligence on strength of application-based system Nikkei: (1) Unpaid corporate pension benefits is proof that contributors were slighted (2) Japan-DPRK talks: Progress in abduction issue is precondition Sankei: (1) Prince Hisahito turns one: Now is time to consider future of Imperial Household (2) Zero-reply on independent administrative corporations: Bureaucrats' resistance is amazing Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Japan-DPRK working group: Do not be deceived by argument that Japan will be left behind, if its sticks to abduction issue (2) Rise in taxi fares Akahata: (1) Environment Minister Kamoshita cannot get away just by correcting erroneous entries into fund report (13) Prime Minister's schedule, September 6 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) September 7, 2007 09:03 Attended a cabinet meeting at the Kantei. Afterward met State Minister in Charge of Declining Birthrate Kamikawa. 10:13 Met former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Nakagawa. Afterward met "Second Chance" Programs Minister Kishida, followed by Vice MHLW Minister Erikawa and Health Service Bureau Director General Nishiyama. Erikawa stayed on. TOKYO 00004187 015 OF 015 11:30 Met outgoing and incoming Ambassador to South Korea Shigeie and Oshima. 13:57 Met Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota and others. 14:35 Met Vice Finance Minister Tsuda, International Bureau Director General Tamaki and others. 15:10 Met Vice METI Minister Kitahata. 16:46 Had a meeting with newspaper editorial writers. 17:17 Had a meeting with TV broadcaster commentators, followed by a meeting with the Cabinet Press Club. 18:12 Met government tax commission chief Kosai, Cabinet Office Vice Minister Uchida and others. 19:53 Returned to his official residence. DONOVAN