JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000774 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule Vice President Cheney's visit: 4) During Cheney visit, gap revealed in global strategies of US 5) Japan sounded out during Cheney visit about additional bilateral cooperation, with pressure for more reconstruction aid to Iraq, Afghanistan Kyuma report: 6) After Vice President Cheney leaves Japan, Defense Minister Kyuma says he has "self-reflected" on his criticism of US government 7) Kyuma admits he was "inconsiderate" when he called US launching of Iraq war a "mistake" Foreign aid: 8) Foreign Minister Aso hints at augmenting humanitarian aid, including medical care, to Iraq 9) Japan to boost ODA to Africa to $1 billion by 2010 10) ABE stresses that his stance on abduction issue will not waver Defense issues: 11) USAF top brass says temporary F-22 deployments to Kadena Air Base not a force increase 12) Training area for US Navy carrier-based jets shifted to Iwakuni narrowed down to Mageshima, an island in Kagoshima Prefecture 13) Government puts off plan to dispatch SDF to join military-civilian assistance team in Afghanistan 14) Vice defense minister denies enormity of case of leaked secret information to a national daily now under investigation Political arena: 15) Prime Minister ABE orders another fallen postal rebel to be reinstated into LDP and backed in the Upper House race 16) LDP finding it difficult to line up viable candidates to run in the Upper House election 17) Minshuto's (Democratic Party of Japan) Naoto Kan accuses LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa of registering home, office as a SIPDIS "foundation" Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Sanyo Electric suspected of window dressing its financial statement for March 2004, underestimating 190 billion yen in losses: Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission now investigating Mainichi: Fujiya to dispose of all stocks, will recover products from wholesalers and retailers Yomiuri: Most kidneys transplanted from sick people found to be improper: Japan Society for Transplantation to ban practice in principle TOKYO 00000774 002 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 Nihon Keizai: Compensation for buyers of defective homes: Sellers to be obliged to have insurance policy; Purchasers to be protected in event of developers going bankrupt, starting in fiscal 2009 Sankei: "Baby box" at Kumamoto hospital to be approved: "It is not illegal," according to MLHW Tokyo Shimbun: Children's self-support facility shows two boys being taken by police: Director stresses educational effects Akahata: 350,000 households deprived of health insurance cards; 4.8 million households fail to pay 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) DPJ should tackle unified local elections in earnest (2) Former crime syndicate head arrested: Protect companies from underworld forces Mainichi: (1) Vice President Cheney visits Japan: We are concerned he did not meet defense minister (2) Misuzu Audit Corporation: Companies will go out of business if they lose trust Yomiuri: (1) Defense secrets and press reports: We want to continue to value the right to know (2) Japan-US talks: Constant efforts vital in strengthening alliance Nihon Keizai: (1) Meaning of stockholders meeting that rejected friendly takeover (2) Make more efforts to help child-rearing Sankei: (1) We should not drop our guard, though statistics show increase in population (2) Distrust in auditing: Time for companies to change their perception Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Assistance to Iraq: Is this vocal diplomacy? (2) Mail delivery: Show us privatization procedures Akahata: (1) Bank of Japan hikes key interest rate: Change in basic economic policy urged 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, February 22 NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) February 23, 2007 07:59 TOKYO 00000774 003 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 Had breakfast with Nihon Keidanren Chairman Mitarai, Tokyo University Professor Motoshige Ito, and others at a restaurant in the Akasaka Prince Hotel. 09:45 Met Secretary General Nakagawa at party headquarters. Later, attended a meeting of the campaign headquarters. Attended a ceremony to put up the headquarters' signboard. 10:52 Attended a meeting of the Education Rebuilding Council at the Kantei. 12:00 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura. 14:00 Met Special Advisor Nemoto. Followed by Public Relations Headquarters head Futada, and Public Relations Bureau Director General Katayama. Later, met US Ambassador Schieffer. 15:02 Met Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. Met participants in the national small retailers summit, with Lower House member Shiotani. 15:56 Met National Police Agency Director General Uruma. 17:43 Met Romanian Prime Minister Popescu Tariceanu, with Ambassador to Rumania Tsushima. 18:42 Met Innovation Minister Takaichi, Cabinet Office Special Advisor Kurokawa and others. Takaichi stayed behind. 19:13 Met Nippon Television Network Co. Board Meeting Chairman Ujiie and other at the Hotel Seiyo Ginza. 21:23 Returned to his official residence. 4) Gap between Japanese and US global strategies exposed by Cheney visit ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) February 23, 2007 Yoichi Kato, American Affairs Bureau director After winding up his itinerary in Japan, United States Vice President Dick Cheney left for Australia. The purpose of his visits to these two countries is to convey Washington's appreciation to two allies -- which share with the US the common values of freedom and democracy -- for their cooperation in the prolonged US-led fight against terrorism. The tour was also intended to demonstrate the close cooperation that exists among the three countries. These purposes have been achieved to some extent. But given its deepening relations with the US, Japan is now faced with such questions as to what extent it should of a world order. TOKYO 00000774 004 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 Cheney expressed his gratitude about Japan's contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan when he met with Prime Minister ABE at his official residence on the evening of Feb. 21. Prior to the meeting with Abe, Cheney expressed "thanks to the Japanese people" in a speech he delivered on the carrier Kitty Hawk at Yokosuka Navy Base. An informed source on the Japan side opined, "I think Cheney had already been informed of Britain's decision to pull its troops out of Iraq." Uncertainty briefly loomed over Japan-US relations due to remarks critical of the Bush administration's Iraq policy by Defense Minister Kyuma and Foreign Minister Aso. A source in the Japanese government called the incident of criticism of the Bush administration's Iraq policy "a short spat." Later, the Japanese Embassy in Washington distributed to US officials copies of a note specifying the prime minister's Diet reply, "I am determined to make efforts to boost the relationship of trust between Japan and the US." With such problems overcome, Cheney's trip was aimed at playing up that Japan and the US are in accord on further boosting their alliance. As another feature in his tour, the importance of strengthening the Japan-US alliance in the context of global order, going beyond "the defense of Japan," was underscored. Cheney said in his speech, "Japan and the US, great democratic countries, are willing to perform their duties for the sake of the world, even exposing themselves to danger." In response, the prime minister told Cheney in their meeting, "The Japan-US alliance, in a real sense, has grown into an alliance for Asia and the world." The inclusion of overseas activities among the Self-Defense Force's (SDF) main duties has also contributed to enhancing US expectations of Japan. With the deepening of the bilateral relationship of trust, Japan has to consider how Japan should form a regional order and a world order under the alliance with the US and whether Japan and the US are falling in step with each other. In the Middle East, the US is apparently trying to establish order while giving priority to ensuring the security of Israel. But a stable supply of oil from Arab oil producing states is vital for Japan's interests. As it stands, there is a wide gap between the two countries' global strategies. Turning to global strategic goals, the US gives priority in this order: (1) the war on terrorism; (2) nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and (3) response to a rising China. Meanwhile, some observers list "rising China" as the highest priority task for Japan. Despite such differences, Japan has dispatched SDF troops to assist the US-led fight against terrorism mainly in Iraq in an effort to secure US support for Japan's stance toward North Korean and other issues. The Iraq war has bogged down. Some have begun to talk about a possible war against Iran. Under such a situation, to what extent will Japan offer support for the US as a tool to "manage the alliance?" With the expansion of Japan's role and capability, the limitation of this approach has begun to stand out. TOKYO 00000774 005 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 5) Cheney visit tests Japan's cooperation MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) February 23, 2007 The recent visit to Japan of US Vice President Cheney reflected the aim of the Bush administration that wants Japan to remain committed to its assistance with Iraq's reconstruction. Ironically, however, his visit to Japan happened to coincide with British Prime Minister Blair's announcement of a plan to withdraw British troops from Iraq. In his meeting with Cheney, Prime Minister SHINZO ABE vowed to continue Japan's reconstruction assistance to Iraq. However, Japan's role in Iraq is under a time-limited law for special measures. This special measures law is due to expire in July. Japan will be tested hard on how far to cooperate with the United States in Iraq. Cheney met with ABE on Feb. 21 and thanked ABE for Japan's contributions to the United States' efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. That day, Cheney visited the US naval base in Yokosuka, where he delivered a speech. "After the terrorist attacks (of 2001),Japan clarified that it would play an active role in the war on terror," Cheney emphasized there. The Japanese government will introduce a bill to the Diet during its current session to extend the Iraq Special Measures Law. The law is likely to be extended for one year. However, there are now calls again from within the government for a longer extension. Another likely focus is the issue of participating in a US-led joint military-civilian provincial reconstruction team (PRT). The United States seems to be expecting Japan to cooperate in education, public health, and other areas. Japan, which has always worked with the United States on Iraq and Afghanistan, is America's last ally, along with Australia. Cheney chose Japan and Australia for his visits this time. This also shows his expectations for the two countries. "It's not a pullout but a reduction. I think the British government made that decision on its own." With this, ABE stressed to reporters yesterday that the announced plan to withdraw British troops is not a pullout. ABE also said the government would like to make an appropriate decision on its own over the issue of extending the special measures law. In the meantime, some other US officials will visit Japan. Deputy National Security Adviser Crouch is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Feb. 26, and Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte is slated to arrive in Japan on March 1. The United States is likely to apply stronger pressure for Japan's role in Iraq. (Masaya Oikawa, Washington; and Hitoshi Omae) 6) Kyuma has self-reflected on his remarks critical of US government YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) February 23, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma made the following comment before the Lower House Security Committee yesterday in connection with his earlier remarks critical of the US government: "Cabinet ministers must make remarks after calculating how they will TOKYO 00000774 006 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 reach other countries. There was a lack of consideration when I made the remarks on the day (President Bush's) State of the Union Address was released. I have self-reflected on it." Touching on the fact that he did not meet US Vice President Dick Cheney during his stay in Japan, the defense chief said: "There is a difference in rank between the president and the vice president (and I),so it didn't really bother me." 7) Kyuma: I "lacked consideration" in statement calling US launching of Iraq war a "mistake" ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) February 23, 2007 Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma in the Lower House Security Affairs Committee yesterday expressed words of self-reflection about his statement that the US decision to launch a war in Iraq was a mistake: "For me to have made such a statement on the day that (President Bush) gave his State of the Union Address showed a lack of consideration." Kyuma then explained that at the time of the start of the Iraq war, he held the following views: 1) He thought that Iraq had no nuclear weapons; and 2) the war had started without any prescription for afterward. He said he had self-reflected on his statement: "I told myself that even if it is a personal view, I should be more careful, and since I am in the cabinet, I should make statements that are in proper accordance with the government's policy line." 8) Aso suggests humanitarian assistance to Iraq, including medical care TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) February 23, 2007 Before the Lower House Budget Committee yesterday, Foreign Minister Taro Aso suggested the possibility of extending humanitarian assistance -- other than sending troops -- to Iraq in the future, saying, "I think there are some things Japan can do regarding medical care, schools, and food." The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology discretionally placed orders for equipment-related work worth 110 million yen in total in January and February 2006. Touching on this fact, Okinawa and Northern Territories Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated that the government would give guidance to the institute, saying, "Inappropriate (points) have come to light regarding the administrative procedures." 9) Japan to provide ODA to Africa through international financial agency: $1 billion through 2010; reduction in collection risk aimed at YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) February 23, 2007 The government yesterday decided to extend approximately 11.5 billion yen in loans to the African Development Bank (AFDB) as part of its policy of increasing official development assistance (ODA) to African nations. Under the plan, the AFDB will select small and medium-sized businesses in African countries and extend TOKYO 00000774 007 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 low-interest-rate loans to them. The government has decided to provide up to $1 billion (approximately 120 billion yen) in yen loans through 2010 through the AFDB, including the disbursement decided yesterday. The government has previously extended loans to African nations in a bilateral framework. However, since the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC),which is in charge of the disbursement of funds on the Japanese side, lacked information on the fiscal conditions of recipient countries and the know-how to determine collection risks, extended loans have sometimes became irrecoverable. For this reason, the government has decided to aim at extending loans in a prompt and efficient manner and reducing collection risks through cooperation with the AFDB, which is versed in the economic situations of African nations and whose fiscal condition is in good shape. China has come up with a major economic assistance plan targeting such countries as Sudan as part of its resources diplomacy. Some, therefore, take the view that Japan's face is not visible in the aid it has decided to extend to Africa this time. As assistance to Africa, Japan during a summit in 2005 pledged to double yen loans, grant aid and debt forgiveness to about $1.68 billion (approximately 200 billion yen) through 2007. The decision this time is also meant to speed up efforts to address the international commitment. 10) Aiming to prevent further estrangement of public, Prime Minister Abe stresses unwavering stance on resolving abduction issue ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpt) February 23, 2007 Prime Minister ABE is making efforts to sweep away concerns that the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea is being abandoned. He invited the families of abduction victims to his official residence, the Kantei, and in his meeting with Vice President Cheney, he stressed the importance of the abduction issue. On Feb. 25, he will meet in Niigata City with five of the victims who were repatriated. He will explain to them the situation at the six-party talks on North Korea. He will stress his unwavering stance on resolving the abduction issue, which can be called the "thread of life" that sustains his administration. His aim is to stop further estrangement of public opinion from his government. 11) F-22 deployment to Kadena not a reinforcement: US Air Force chief MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) February 23, 2007 WASHINGTON-US Air Force Chief of Staff Moseley, meeting the press on Feb. 21, stated that the current temporary deployment of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to the US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture is "not a sign of reinforcement (in US forces)." With this, Moseley indicated that the F-22 deployment does not run counter to Okinawa's call for mitigation. 12) Mageshima eyed for US military jet training TOKYO 00000774 008 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged) Eve., February 22, 2007 Mageshima-an island belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture's Nishinoomote City-is now on the list of candidate sites for US carrier-borne jet fighters' touch-and-go training, government officials has revealed. This training, or field carrier landing practice (FCLP),is currently conducted at Iwojima, one of the Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands),as a temporary site. However, Japan and the United States decided at their intergovernmental talks in May last year over the realignment of US forces to redeploy a carrier-based wing of fighter jets from Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to Iwakuni Marine Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. On that occasion, the Japanese and US governments agreed to select a permanent facility by 2009 for FCLP. The Defense Ministry has been looking for a new candidate site. According to government officials, the Defense Ministry considered islands in the Inland Sea near Iwakuni, the Goto Islands, and islands near Kyushu. The government is now looking into the possibility of siting a new FCLP facility on Mageshima Island, which is about 400 kilometers away from Iwakuni and is little inhabited, the officials said. The government has yet to sound out the United States, local governments, or landowners. Mageshima is situated about 12 kilometers west of Tanegashima Island, which is known as a rocket-launching site. The island-the greater part of which is in the possession of a quarry owner-has a landing strip for light airplanes to fly quarry workers for first aid or other purposes. FCLP is indispensable training for Atsugi-based carrier-borne fighters. It has been a pending issue for years to secure a permanent facility other than the Atsugi base due to the tremendous noise of fighter jets in that training. 13) Government puts off plan to dispatch SDF personnel to Afghanistan PRT NIHON KEIZAI (Page 2) (Full) February 23, 2007 The government decided yesterday to put off its plan to send Self-Defense Force troops to a military-civilian provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Afghanistan to cooperate with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) reconstruction activities in the country. As a result, Japan's assistance will be confined to humanitarian aid in such areas as education and health and medical care through fund contributions to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The government intends to convey its plan to NATO at the administrative-level talks with the organization to be held in Tokyo in early March and finalize specifics. The plan to cooperate with NATO in Afghanistan came from Prime Minister SHINZO ABE in January. In his talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney on Feb. 21, ABE also indicated that the government was considering extending cooperation to the PRT. 14) Vice defense minister denies statement of "second Nishiyama case" regarding leaks of national defense secrets YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) TOKYO 00000774 009 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 February 23, 2007 Concerning the alleged leaks of the Defense Ministry's security secrets, Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya during a news SIPDIS conference yesterday said, "Some weekly magazines reported that I have ordered a thorough investigation into the matter calling it another Nishiyama case, but there is no such fact at all. The Defense Ministry cannot take responsibility for articles written in such a way." He thus denied the reports by the weekly magazines. 15) Prime Minister ABE instructs LDP Secretary General Nakagawa to reinstate postal rebel Eto and endorse him as official candidate to run in Upper House election SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) February 23, 2007 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday set up election headquarters (headed by Prime Minister SHINZO Abe) for the House of Councillors election in July. Ahead of this ABE directed LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa to reinstate Seiichi Eto in the SIPDIS LDP, Eto was expelled from the LDP for opposing then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's bill to privatize Japan Post and then was defeated in the House of Representative election in 2005. ABE also instructed Nakagawa to endorse Eto as an official proportional representation candidate to run in the July Upper House race. The LDP will formally decide on this matter before the end of February. Nakagawa was reluctant to let him rejoin the party since the cabinet support rates have plunged, propelled by public disgruntlement with the party's reinstatement of postal rebels. Abe, however, was determined not to put off the decision Eto will be the first among the postal rebels who lost their Lower House seats to be reinstated in the LDP. Many LDP members, however, are concerned about Abe's political stance and believe that ABE is gradually discarding former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's reform drive. Abe's decision this time around will likely add another factor of uncertainty to his management of his government. Eto is a close friend of ABE since they were first elected to the Diet at the same time. He is regarded as an advisor to the prime minister regarding such issues as history and the social security system. He parted company with ABE on the issue of the propriety of postal privatization. According to several sources, Eto has been looking for the possibility of running for the Upper House race since the ABE administration was inaugurated. He called on the LDP to let him return, but Secretary General Nakagawa had turned down his request. Nakagawa consulted the matter with Acting Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara and Election Strategy Headquarters Chief Yoshio Yatsu last year and they decided not to reinstate him in the party. 16) LDP finds it difficult to field candidates for electoral districts and proportional representation segment in Upper House election YOMIURI (Page 5) (Full) February 23, 2007 The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is having trouble fielding candidates for the House of Councillors election in July. TOKYO 00000774 010 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 The LDP has picked so far 29 proportional representation candidates, though it aims to field 35. One of the reasons the LDP is having a hard time is that major support organizations for the party have yet to decide on their own candidates. The support bodies include the Military Pension National Association and the Japanese Council of Senior Citizens Welfare Service, which have supported Kiyoko Ono, the former National Public Safety Commission chairman who will retire from the Diet under the retirement system. Eita Yashiro, a postal rebel who was defeated in the previous House of Representative election, is eager to run as a proportional representation candidate in the July Upper House race. The LDP leadership, however, has not made any decision on this matter. The party has looked into the possibility of fielding well-known celebrities such as singer Hiromi Go, but it has fielded no celebrities as its candidates. The LDP has fielded no constituency candidates for four prefectures. The expectation is that it will decide on a candidate for Yamagata Prefecture (one up for reelection) before the end of this month. It has decided to advertise for candidates for Fukushima Prefecture (one up for grabs) and Yamanashi Prefecture (one up for grabs). The party decided to recommend Takao Fujii, a postal rebel, as a candidate for Gifu Prefecture (two up for grabs),but incumbent Upper House member Tsuyako Ono, whom the LDP had planned to endorse as its candidate, reacted strongly. So the party's decision to recommend Fujii is left hanging. Regarding multiple-seat constituency candidates, coordination on a second candidate is hitting rocky ground. Although the party has endorsed former Justice Minister Takao Jinnouchi as the candidate for Saga Prefecture, some in the party are now calling for replacing Jinnouchi. A senor LDP Upper House caucus member said: "There are few single-seat constituencies that our candidates will definitely win." 17) Minshuto's Kan: LDP Secretary General Nakagawa's home located in foundation compound MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) February 23, 2007 Naoto Kan, acting president of the main opposition party, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan),pointed out at a press conference yesterday that Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa's home and his support group office in Higashi-Hiroshima City are located in the compound of a private foundation, which Nakagawa heads. Kan said: "A foundation should not be used for individual lawmaker's support organization. I wonder how he handles the inheritance tax issue." He indicated that he would pursue this matter. The foundation called "Kodo Kaikan" (in Higashi-Hiroshima City) was established in 1961 with the money contributed by Nakagawa's father-in-law. Nakagawa's home and his support group are in the building owned by the foundation. They pay the rent. Nakagawa told reporters at LDP headquarters: "We have been inspected by the prefecture. The (rent paid for my home and office) is not illegal." TOKYO 00000774 011 OF 011 SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 01//07 DONOVAN