DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/29/07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 005376 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 11/29/07 Index: (1) Futenma relocation: Japan, U.S. agree to landing of barges to transport helicopters, premised on seawall construction (Okinawa Times) (2) Japan must return supply ship to the Indian Ocean (Part B): Yukio Okamoto (Sankei) (3) Japan must return supply ship to the Indian Ocean (Part C) -- Japan disappearing from war on terror: Yukio Okamoto (Sankei) (4) Editorial: Diet deliberations on new antiterror legislation; We want to hear essential debates in Upper House (Yomiuri) (5) Ruling coalition filled with sense of crisis due to Moriya's arrest; DPJ to gear up its offensive (Tokyo Shimbun) (6) Spot interview with Takushoku University Professor Satoshi Morimoto on arrest of former Vice Defense Minister Moriya: Foundation of defense policy has lost credibility (Yomiuri) (7) Editorial: Japan needs to overcome delay in defense exchanges with China (Tokyo Shimbun) (8)Working population estimated to fall by 10 million in 2030, necessitating reform of working system (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Futenma relocation: Japan, U.S. agree to landing of barges to transport helicopters, premised on seawall construction OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) November 29, 2007 Speaking about the alternate facility to Futenma Air Station, U.S. Consul General to Okinawa Kevin Maher at his regularly scheduled press conference yesterday revealed that Japan and the U.S. had agreed to secure a landing dock for barges in order to transport damaged helicopters. The landing dock would be separate from the docking area to be used for fuel supply ships to come and go transporting aircraft fuel. Consideration is being given to a building a straight line sea-wall structure. Consul General Maher said, "I think (the Japanese government) has generally decided (the landing location)." In connection with the port functions of the alternate facility, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba commented in the Lower House Security Affairs Committee about the transport of helicopters by ship for repairs: "This would be different facility cost related to vessels than the port facility." He hinted the idea was being studied. Consul General Maher said, "I will not deny of course what Minister Ishiba had said." He then explained: "Since it will be difficult to transport a plane needing repairs by truck, we (the U.S. and Japan) studied whether we needed a separate location for barges aside from the alternate facility for the sake of repairing helicopters. On the landing site, he stated: "I will probably be separate from the dock used for fuel. We are studying it in the master plan. It is TOKYO 00005376 002 OF 012 not a special facility; we just need a spot. For example, usually a seawall is tilted, but if it is made straight, the barge reportedly could land there." On the other hand, he also said: "We are not talking about building a port or a wharf." He stressed that there was no assumption of using vessels that regularly carried and unloaded cargo. (2) Japan must return supply ship to the Indian Ocean (Part B): Yukio Okamoto SANKEI (Top play and Page 3) (Full) November 28, 2007 Chinese personnel 40 times greater than Japan's Vessels of other countries have been continuing surveillance activities in the Indian Ocean, struggling to fill the void left by Japan's departure. Vessels carrying terrorists and drugs sail from Afghanistan to the Arabian Peninsula and even to Africa to return to the country loaded with weapons. (The maritime interdiction operation) is designed to block such maritime navigation. The number of suspicious vessels cruising in the Indian Ocean has declined owing to their patrol. The withdrawal from the Indian Ocean has set back in one blow Japan's peace-building efforts since the Gulf war of 1990. It has hit Japan like a body blow. Japan's quest for a permanent UN Security Council seat, while abandoning the joint obligation of defending freedom sounds ludicrous. Necessary legislation cannot clear the Diet due to the confrontation between the lower and upper houses. Such a situation will persist for the next six years. The future course of Japan remains uncertain. The world is expected to change significantly while the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan will be locking horns in the next six years. In China, for instance, power is quickly shifting to international-minded young generations. Western-educated people with international sensitivity and the power to send messages out to the world would become national leaders. At present, 47 Self-Defense Force personnel from Japan are engaged in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO),mostly in the Golan Heights. In contrast, 1,810 Chinese personnel -- 40 times Japan's number -- are engaged in PKO at 12 places. It might be the Chinese Navy that will deploy troops to the Indian Ocean for the international community. Where will Japan be when such happens? Refueling is "super-safe" Actions against terrorism in Afghanistan can be classified into the following four categories in the order of risk: Category 1: The anti-Al-Qaeda and Taliban operation called Operation of Enduring Freedom (OEF) is the most dangerous. Needless to say, Japan should not join this operation. TOKYO 00005376 003 OF 012 Category 2: Ground operations of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for maintaining security in Afghanistan are dangerous after Category 1. Although ISAF activities are designed to assist the Afghan government with its security operations, they have become targets of terrorists. Category 3: The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) entails some risk, although it is not as dangerous as Category 2. The PRT is composed of the government officials and private-sector personnel who are engaged in economic reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in local areas in Afghanistan, and the escort units. Category 4: Inspecting suspicious vessels in the Indian Ocean far away from the terrorists is most safe, although it is not risk-free because suspicious boats might fire shots. Japan did not belong to any of these categories. Japan created a "super-safe" framework outside Category 4. Japan was responsible strictly for providing fuel oil without joining the maritime interdiction operation. Once waters in which the Japanese supply ship was operating became dangerous, it was allowed to evaluate to a safe zone. Although the SDF personnel had to expend sweat, they were free from the danger of losing their lives or suffering injury. But that does not mean Japan's role was less significant. The SDF personnel burning with a sense of mission performed their duty wholeheartedly. The bottom line is that in operations against terrorism, there is no mission that is safer than this. The operation was not costly and was appreciated by the international community. It was a good role envied by 40 other countries. The operation was not possible without the MSDF's equipment, technology, and enthusiasm. The Democratic Party of Japan forced Japan into abandoning the operation. What does the party have in mind for Japan after this? (3) Japan must return supply ship to the Indian Ocean (Part C) -- Japan disappearing from war on terror: Yukio Okamoto SANKEI (Top play and Page 3) (Full) November 28, 2007 Ichiro Ozawa announced that Japan should stop the refueling operation at sea and join the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Although his view opposing the safe ship-to-ship refueling operation and urging Japan instead to join more dangerous activities surprised me, the proposal itself is laudable. It is a path Japan should aim at. Why? Ground Self-Defense Force troops repaired hospitals and roads in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah; their work was appreciated by local residents. And they returned home safely. It was splendid. Of some 40 countries that sent troops to Iraq, the Japanese troops completed their operations most smoothly and safely. Other countries were envious of Japan. Other countries wanted to engage in clean operations, like the SDF. But in view of reality, someone had to protect the lives of Iraqi citizens before providing TOKYO 00005376 004 OF 012 humanitarian assistance. That is why troops of other countries stood on the streets armed with guns. The area in which SDF was stationed was protected by Dutch, British, and Australian forces in succession. Other countries welcomed the SDF in Iraq. But Japan is no longer allowed to say: "We will provide humanitarian assistance, while you are responsible for dangerous security operations." What Ozawa said is good. Japan should join ISAF and play a role in security operations. If the main operations are too dangerous, Japan should engage in safer operations, such as transport assistance. The Air Self-Defense Force's C-130H has been transporting supplies and personnel from Kuwait to Baghdad and Irbil in Iraq. How about flying from Kuwait to Kabul, as well? SDF aircraft is fully capable of flying there. Besides, the Kabul Airport area is safer than the Baghdad Airport area. Airlifting ISAF supplies and personnel would be a fine way of ISAF participation. Furthermore, it would be a great contribution for Japan to provide necessary supplies free of charge. Providing support services at ISAF headquarters would be another option. In short, once the mind is set, there are many ways to join it. But some LDP members opposed the option of joining ISAF simply because the proposal came from Ozawa. Will the LDP seal off one of the state options? Prioritizing the political situation over national interests means that the LDP is the same (as the DPJ). Who thinks of the country? PRT participation Without notice, Ozawa retracted the ISAF proposal and the DPJ has instead proposed joining the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the aforementioned Category 3 to provide "civilian assistance." It would be good if the proposal is based on a thorough knowledge, but there might be a fundamental misconception. Nearly 40 experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have already been offering regular civilian assistance at various parts of Afghanistan. The PRT is a project for the military, border guards, and special police forces to escort civilian support teams apart from it. The PRT is important. All of Afghanistan is in need of civilian assistance. For instance, girls were prohibited from going to school during the Taliban era. Today, girls go to school with sparkling eyes. Yet there are no desks, chairs, or blackboards in classrooms. Medical equipment is in short. Vocational training facilities are also necessary. There is the question of antipersonnel mines, as well. The PRT is there to defend experts facing such tasks. At present, 27 countries are participating in the PRT. For instance, Britain is in charge of the PRT in Helmand, German in Kunduz, and the Netherlands in Uruzgan. This means that those countries are responsible for escorting the foreign experts and NGO personnel carrying out activities in those provinces. If Japan can join them, that would be creditable. Work is intended to directly bring stability to Afghanistan. But I wonder if (Japan) can really do such work. TOKYO 00005376 005 OF 012 Countries participating in OEF and ISAF and numbers of people killed United States 463 Britain 84 Canada 71 Spain 23 Germany 22 France 12 Netherlands 12 Italy 9 Denmark 7 Romania 5 Norway 3 Australia 3 Sweden 2 Estonia 2 Poland 1 Portugal 1 Czech 1 Finland 1 South Korea 1 Total 723 (As of November 16, 2007, by US CNN) (4) Editorial: Diet deliberations on new antiterror legislation; We want to hear essential debates in Upper House YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full) November 29, 2007 We want to hear essential debates pursued in the Upper House regarding how Japan should tackle the war on terror to fulfill responsibility as a member of the international community. The Upper House has at last started deliberating on the new antiterror special measures bill aimed at resuming refueling operations in the Indian Ocean by the Maritime Self-Defense Agency (MSDA). More than a fortnight has passed since the passage of the bill in the Lower House. The recent war of words between the ruling and opposition camps has focused on whether Finance Minister Nukaga was present at a wining and dining session hosted by the former executive director of Yamada Yoko. In an unusual move, the Upper House Financial Affairs Committee has decided by a majority vote to summon Nukaga and former Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya on Dec. 3 as sworn witnesses. Nukaga denied his presence at the wining and dining session on Dec. 4 last year. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is geared up for a full-fledged confrontation with Nukaga, insisting that he was present there. However, even if Nukaga were present at such a session joined by many guests, including a key US official, it would not prove that there were collusive ties between Nukaga and the former executive director. It is questionable whether it was necessary to decide to summon them as witnesses, even if it meant undermining the solid vote principle. TOKYO 00005376 006 OF 012 It will likely that only four days or so can be spared for actual deliberations on the bill at the Diplomatic and Defense Affairs Committee by the time the Diet session ends next month. The ruling and opposition parties must give top priority to discussions on whether to resume the refueling operations and whether there are any alternative measures. A precondition to realize such discussions is for the DPJ to come up with a realistic counterproposal at an early date. The DPJ says that it is now carrying out the work of shaping essential features of a bill, which it has already drafted, into the general outline of a bill. However, the problem is its contents. The outline of the drafted bill includes the consolidation of farmland, medical services and transportation as activities the Self-Defense Forces should engage. It does not indicate to which areas of Afghanistan they will be dispatched and to what operations they will be assigned. The DPJ-sponsored bill stipulates that SDF operations are to be carried out in areas where a ceasefire is established or where it has been acknowledged that there would be no damage likely to be inflicted on civilians. There are no areas that meet those conditions in Afghanistan, which means that the DPJ's basic stance is that Japan should do nothing for humanitarian assistance. Refueling operations are based on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1368. The international community hopes to see Japan resume its refueling operations at an early date. DPJ President Ozawa has declared that refueling operations are unconstitutional. However, no DPJ members made similar assertions during Lower House deliberations on the new legislation. An early resumption of the refueling operations is an option that will benefit Japan's national interests most. The Upper House adopted the Iraq Special Measures Law scrapping bill introduced by the DPJ. Iraq is now at a crucial juncture with public security improved. Transportation operations by the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) are a major pillar for Japan's international peace activities along with the refueling operations. There may be no prospects for the new legislation to obtain Diet approval. Does the DPJ think that it is all right for Japan to further lose its presence in the international community? (5) Ruling coalition filled with sense of crisis due to Moriya's arrest; DPJ to gear up its offensive TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) November 29, 2007 The arrest of former Administrative Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, who was called the "don" of the Defense Ministry, has shocked the government and ruling parties. If criticism of the Fukuda government increases, it will be even more difficult for the government to enact a new special measures law that would enable the Maritime Self-Defense Force to resume its refueling operations in the Indian Ocean. As a result, the view spreading in the government and ruling coalition is that the House of Representatives should not be resolved for the time being. Meanwhile, the main opposition TOKYO 00005376 007 OF 012 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) is determined to gear up to go on the offensive, calling for placing priority on shedding light on allegations about the Defense Ministry rather than on deliberations on the new anti-terror bill. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki denied there would be an impact from the arrest of Moriya on deliberations on the new anti-terror bill, telling reporters last night: "That is different issue from the refueling operation that is connected with Japan's national interests." However, the "Moriya shock" will have a serious impact on the future course of the legislation. Because of the arrest of Moriya, who led the nation's defense policy for four years, the credibility of such aspects of defense policy as the realignment of US military forces in Japan will be called into question. Moreover, the responsibility of successive governments for having appointed Moriya as vice defense minister will also be under scrutiny. Many in the ruling camp have now called for re-extending until mid-January the current Diet session, which will end on Dec. 15, in a bid to show their stance of not hesitating to re-adopt the bill at the Lower House. There is a possibility, however, that if the Lower House readopts the bill, the DPJ will submit to the Upper House a censure motion against the prime minister and that it will be approved in that chamber. This could force Fukuda to dissolve the Lower House. Should the approval rating for the Fukuda government drop due to Moriya's arrest, a cautious view that the ruling parties cannot do well in the next Lower House election will definitely gain momentum. There is also a possibility that if the investigation extends into political circles, the view will become stronger that in order to avoid the DPJ's pursuit of the allegations, the current Diet session should not be extended and the bill should be let die so that the government will be able to submit a new bill to the next regular session. Meanwhile, the DPJ intends to heighten its offensive, placing a priority on shedding light on the scandals over continuing the deliberations on the new antiterrorism bill. DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama told reporters yesterday: "The scandals involving the Defense Ministry have significantly damaged the beauty of the bill." Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka also emphasized: "What we first should do is reform the scandal-tainted Defense Ministry." Backed by the power of numbers in the Upper House, the DPJ, which had been predominant in managing the chamber's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, to which the new anti-terror bill was submitted, has now gained greater strength with the arrest of Moriya. There is a move in the opposition bloc pursuing the supervisory responsibility of Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was defense chief when Moriya assumed the vice minister's post. The DPJ has not given up on summoning Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga to testify as a sworn witness before the Upper House Financial Affairs Committee on Dec. 3 as planned. DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and Hatoyama confirmed yesterday that at least Nukaga alone should be summoned as scheduled. The party intends to seek a hearing from Moriya. TOKYO 00005376 008 OF 012 Yamaoka even said: "Moriya was arrested the day after the Upper House committee decided to summon him on Dec. 3. If this is a maneuvering to cover up the scandals, it is very regrettable." He made it sound like that the government intentionally hid the witness. (6) Spot interview with Takushoku University Professor Satoshi Morimoto on arrest of former Vice Defense Minister Moriya: Foundation of defense policy has lost credibility YOMIURI (Page 13) (Full) November 29, 2007 Interviewer: Yuji Anai It is difficult to tell how the bribery scandal involving former Vice Defense Minister Moriya will develop in the days ahead, but there will be certainly a serious impact (on Japan's defense policy). As a government official, Moriya acted out of line. Did he lack morality and common sense as a public servant? Didn't he feel any pricks of conscience? Everybody has both a good side and a bad side. It is hard to say all aspects of one's performance and behavior are evils. Working for both the Koizumi and Abe administrations, Moriya was deeply involved in an important part of Japan's defense policy, including emergency legislation on national security, the realignment of the US military, missile defense, and the elevation of the Defense Agency to a ministry status. I wonder whether Moriya might have overestimated his achievements related to those defense elements. Moriya was well-versed in seeking prior advice or consent from politicians, political maneuvering and putting forth policy measures. He was unparalleled in terms of the ability to do those things. Perhaps for this remarkable ability, he was promoted to the post of vice minister. I frequently exchanged views with Moriya over Japan's defense policy, but I was unaware at all that he was involved in bribe-taking. I am now astonished to learn he had two faces. There seem to be five lessons from the bribery case this time. First, the vice minister got hold of the fundamental guidelines for Japan's defense policy and was in a position to exercise his authority over the purchase of equipment related to the guidelines. If the vice minister had acted out of line and benefited a defense contractor, the current system applied to the Defense Ministry, under which the vice minister controls defense policy as well as the procurement system, must be drastically reviewed. Particularly, the current procurement system needs to be fundamentally revamped. Secondly, the way information has been managed is problematic. National defense policy is directly linked to weaponry to be procured. What if a very fundamental piece of information linked to national defense was leaked out to a private company and then a third country? The third problem is that Moriya might have had a wrong idea about civilian control. Moriya appears to have believed that he could bring about anything as the top leader of the defense bureaucracy by just issuing orders to the Ground, Air, and Maritime Self-Defense TOKYO 00005376 009 OF 012 Forces. However, if what was done in response to orders from a civilian official is now found to have been wrong, the reliability of civilian control could be totally undermined. Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officials' distrust of the civilian official system would seriously affect the way civilian control should be in the future. Fourth, the bribery case will have a grave impact on deliberations on systems and bills after deliberations on a budget bill for next year, even though Japan is now in need of reviewing its national defense system. Depending on how the scandal develops in the days ahead, a number of officials and persons concerned would be punished in some way or other or they would be subject to criminal investigations; as a result, the defense budget could be further slashed and the introduction of a new weaponry system could be suspended. In fact, the Ministry of Finance is gearing up to make a drastic cut in defense spending in compiling the budget bill for next year. This bribery case would have an immeasurably negative impact. Lastly, the bribery case will affect Japan's alliance with the United States. Moriya's intentional attempt to manipulate politicians and mass media in dealing with such issues as relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station has resulted in Japan losing America's confidence. As a result, the Japan-U.S. alliance is not necessarily in a good shape right now. It will be a major challenge for Japan to be able to restore the credibility of the Japan-U.S. alliance. The bribery case has rocked the most fundamental part of Japan's defense policy and caused Japan's defense policy to lose credibility. Japan needs to thoroughly review the way the Defense Ministry operates and then to regain credibility. The East Asian situation surrounding Japan is not stable at all at present. Nevertheless, if this kind of bribery case ruins Japan's defense capability our predecessors have built over the past 50 or more years, it will become impossible to scheme national defense from a long-term perspective from now on. This is the most serious crisis since the foundation of the SDF. The Defense Agency was upgraded to the Defense Ministry, but the organization in itself was not ready to be elevated to a ministry. This point must be deeply examined. Satoshi Morimoto: professor at Takushoku University. (7) Editorial: Japan needs to overcome delay in defense exchanges with China TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full) November 28, 2007 A Chinese naval vessel will arrive today at Tokyo's Harumi Pier for its first port call in Japan. Defense exchanges between Japan and China have substantially fallen behind those between the United States and China in the aftermath of bilateral issues, such as Yasukuni Shrine. In order to avoid a dispute between Japan and China, Japan should take this opportunity to further develop bilateral exchanges with China. In October 2000, when then Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited Japan, the two countries agreed on a Chinese naval vessel's port call in Japan. TOKYO 00005376 010 OF 012 However, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine strained relations between Japan and China. The visit of a Chinese naval vessel was put on hold. In August this year, the two countries held a meeting of their defense ministers and then finally decided to carry it out. Since the initial agreement, eight years have passed. Over the past years, China has markedly developed its defense exchanges with the United States and other countries. Of course, the United States and China had their respective naval ships visit each other. In addition, the two countries also even carried out joint seaborne rescue training exercises. It is important to promote defense exchanges between Japan and China. It may sound paradoxical, but that is because there is a conflict of national interests between the two countries and that there is a sense of distrust in each other. In the East China Sea, China has been claiming territorial rights to the archipelago of Senkaku isles (named "Diaoyu Islands" in China). Japan and China have been claiming their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ) in the sea. Near the equidistant line, China is developing gas fields. Bilateral talks for joint development are running into trouble. China even has rattled its saber, declaring that it would send out naval forces if and when Japan tried to drill an experimental gas well in that sea area. In that disputed area, the two countries' defense forces face each other. Small trouble could develop into a conflict. China is still doubtful of Japan's self-defense capabilities for historical reasons. Japan is wary of China's growing military power due to its rapid military buildup and the scale of its officially announced military spending that outpaces Japan's defense budget. Japan and China need to accumulate defense exchanges and understand each other's intentions and capabilities in order for the two countries to ease such a sense of mutual distrust and avoid conflict. That is the key. It is also important to lay a hotline between Japan and China for emergency communications. At one time, Japan and China fought each other in a war. Their armed forces are now deepening exchanges and showing that they are getting along well with each other. This will help the two countries ease their respective nationalism and national sentiments. Japan and China must avoid conflict through defense exchanges. In addition, it is necessary for the two countries to deepen their mutual defense exchanges not only at the level of top brass officers but also at various other levels for further confidence building. China is now being called to increase the transparency of its defense power. We suggest that officials in charge of white papers on both side engage in exchanges and swap ideas. Both Japan and China are even more responsible in the international community. It is important for their forces to work together through joint training for United Nations peacekeeping operations and seaborne rescue operations. TOKYO 00005376 011 OF 012 Japan and China will hold a foreign ministerial meeting early next month, and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is expected to visit China late this year. Japan and China will then go for an agreement on the pending issue of East China Sea gas fields. The two countries, both protecting their own sovereignties and territories, are now facing rough going in expanding defense exchanges. Their talks will lead to creating an atmosphere for an agreement on the issue. (8)Working population estimated to fall by 10 million in 2030, necessitating reform of working system NIHON KEIZAI (Page 3) (Excerpts) November 29, 2007 According to an estimate made by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on Nov. 28, Japan's working population (number of the employed and job seekers over the age of 15) will drop by 10.7 million from the current 66.57 million in 2030. Japan's dwindling birthrate and aging population are most pronounced in the world. It will enter an aging society with fewer children at a speed that no countries have ever experienced. Japan's workforce will also decline at an unprecedented pace. Such being the outlook, it would be difficult to maintain the current form of the society with the present working system. Japan's working system has an aspect of hampering even those who are capable of working from doing so. For instance, if employee pension scheme members continue to work after 60 years of age, their pension benefits would be slashed, according to their wages. Atsushi Seike, professor at Keio University, pointed out, "Such a system dampens people's desire to work. It is necessary to reform it immediately." (10 PERCENT of elderly people come to 3 million) At present, the number of elderly people aged 65 or over is approximately 27 million. The number is estimated to continue to rise in the future as well. Some companies have started employing elderly people. Aeon, a leading retailer, increased the mandatory retirement age to 65 in February. Toyota Motors allows its employees aged 60 years or older who have reached the mandatory retirement age to continue to work four hours a day at their request and depending on the details of their work. The number of workers aged 65 or older at present stands at approximately 5 million. If 10 PERCENT of the 27 million get jobs, it would mean that nearly 3 million workers would make up for the labor shortage. (Potential female labor force stands at 3.5 million) Japan has yet to fully use female as labor force. Japan is an unusual country where 70 PERCENT of women quit jobs when they give birth. The measure that should be taken first is to keep female workers by proving flexible working patterns, such as a telecommuting system and an improved short working-time system. Leading companies have started improve systems. For instance, long-term employees at Teijin have increased from 23 PERCENT to 47 PERCENT over the past decade or so. The number of women who gave up their jobs due to housework and TOKYO 00005376 012 OF 012 child-rearing stands at 3.5 million. If these women can work in a flexible manner, potential female workers would come back to workplaces. (NEET numbers 600,000) The population of those at their working prime in the 18-34 age bracket stands at approximately 28 million, but the number is estimated to dwindle to approximately 19 million in 2030, down by more than 30 PERCENT . The number of NEET, who are not in education, employment or training, stands at 620,000. So-called freeters (job-hopping part-time workers),who do not have permanent jobs, stand at 1.8 million. It is time to boost the measures backing the government's second-chance job plan so that freeters can become permanent workers so that they do not have to worry about losing jobs. (Refined state-of-the-art technologies are worth a hundred men) Robots are expected as labor force that can replace humans. Japan is already the top industrial robot country in the world. Approximately 370,000 units of industrial robots are in operation in Japan, largely topping the numbers operating in North America and Germany. Many companies see business opportunities in nursing-care or medical-service robots. Secom has put on sale robots that help with eating. Robot suits that help humans move their hands and feet will also be put on the market shortly. According to an estimate made by the Japan Robot Association, the shipment value of robots in Japan in 2007 will reset a new record high with 760 billion yen. This is an area where Japan's state-of-the-art technologies are made most of. (Creation of systems for foreigners) Demand for workers is expected to rise in the nursing-care area as the population ages. The government is pressing ahead with a plan to accept Philippine nurses and care- givers. However, the Philippine Congress has yet to approve the plan. There is no telling when it will approve the plan, according to the MHLW. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has estimated that in order for Japan to maintain the current level of population of productive age, it is necessary for it to accept 500,000 foreign workers a year. However, only about 20,000 foreigners were in fact approved to work in Japan in 2005 on a long-term basis. Unless Japan consolidates a system enabling competent foreigners to work, it would fall behind in global competition to secure human resources. SCHIEFFER