JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/23/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/23/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) New "Fukuda Doctrine": 4) Prime Minister Fukuda in landmark foreign policy speech lays out new comprehensive approach to Asia (Nikkei) 5) Gist of Fukuda's foreign policy speech (Yomiuri) 6) Prime Minister Fukuda in foreign policy speech draws a line with the previous administration's stances (Tokyo Shimbun) 7) Fukuda in policy speech aims to reverse the tide against his administration (Yomiuri) 8) METI minister stresses that economic / environmental community will be centered on Japan, ASEAN (Nikkei) DPRK: 9) Secretary Rice, Foreign Minister Koumura discuss the North Korea issue in a telephone conversation (Nikkei) 10) Now there are two competing parliamentary policy groups in the Diet that take opposing stands, hardliners vs. conciliators (Asahi) 11) Senior Foreign Ministry official says Six-Party Talks likely to restart next month (Asahi) 12) South Korean official: Japan not opposed to U.S. removing North Korea from list of countries sponsoring terrorism (Asahi) 13) Ambassador Schieffer to golf with Aso, other LDP bigwigs (Nikkei) 14) Ainu group demonstrates, calls of government to grant them "indigenous rights," based on UN declaration (Asahi) 15) Ruling parties complete draft bill that would toughen the Child Pornography Law by making simple possession a punishable crime (Asahi) Defense affairs: 16) National Defense University head Iokibe present private proposal for reforming the Defense Ministry (Yomiuri) 17) Yamada Corp. former head Miyazaki tells Upper House committee he gave 100 million yen to defense procurement fixer Akiyama (Yomiuri) 18) Ruling parties boycott Upper House committee session that heard testimony by Yamada Corporation's former head Miyazaki (Asahi) 19) Former Prime Minister Koizumi, DPJ's Kan give stumping speeches in Tokyo (Tokyo Shimbun) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: TEPCO increases quake intensity limit at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant by five times Mainichi: Sankei: Wooden strips inscribed with poetry from Manyoshu found Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun: TOKYO 00001419 002 OF 012 Education Ministry eyes increasing number of teachers by 25,000 in five years, to cope with increased classes; Nikkei: Prime minister proposes disaster, disease prevention network in Asia in readiness for new strains of flu Akahata: Scandal involving Defense Ministry: "I felt pressure form former Defense Minister Kyuma," testifies Miyazaki, former senior managing director of trading house specializing in military procurement 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant: Estimated intensity limit has been reversed (2) Space development plan: Eliminate waste, secure transparency Mainichi: (1) Summoning of former senior managing director of trading company specializing in military procurement: Now it is time for Kyuma to reply (2) Relocation of Tsukiji Market to Toyozu: Food safety cannot be secured Yomiuri: (1) Crude oil price reach highest reaches peak: Find breakthrough with energy-conservation aid (2) Baby hatch: Increase consultation centers Nikkei: (1) How can new Fukuda Doctrine be optimized? (2) Defense Ministry reform plan devoid of its initial intention Sankei: (1) Permanent law on SDF dispatch: Rush to map out outline during current Diet session (2) Consumer affairs agency: Priory should be given to efficacy instead of organizational theory Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Economic slowdown: Strength and identity needed in overcoming setback (2) Defense Ministry reform: Military interest left unquestioned Akahata: (1) Doshu or regional bloc system: Proposed road map will to destroy local autonomy 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, May 22 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2008 08:57 Met at the Kantei with Vice Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Edogawa, Social Insurance Agency Director General Banno, and Internal Affairs Ministry Administrative Evaluation Bureau Director General Seki. TOKYO 00001419 003 OF 012 10:19 Met LPD Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters chief Chuma, Secretary General Miyazawa, and others. Later met Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota, with Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka present. Ota stayed behind. 11:08 Met Internal Affairs Minister Masuda and Decentralization and Reform Promotion Committee Secretary General Miyawaki. Masuda stayed behind. Followed by Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yanagisawa. 12:01 Had lunch with reporters assigned to the Prime Minister's Office. 14:29 Met Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers members who just returned to Japan and others, with Japan International Cooperation Agency President Sadako Ogata present. Followed by finance Minister Nukaga. 15:26 Met Education Minister Tokai and Vice Minister Zeniya, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura present. Later met LDP Parliamentary League to Consider Measures to Boost Schools' Quake Resistance Chairman Kawamura and others. 16:12 Met President of Laos Choummaly. 17:30 Attended a meeting of ministers responsible for producing monthly economic reports. 18:34 Attended a banquet of an international conference "Asia's Future" at the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka. 20:37 Returned to his official residence. 4) Fukuda proposes building network to prepare for new strains of influenza in Asia NIKKEI (Top Play) (Excerpts) May 23, 2008 Prime Minister Fukuda revealed in a speech at a banquet of an international conference yesterday the nation's new diplomatic doctrine based on increased cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region and an initiative to build a network with nations outside the region. He proposed an initiative to build a network involving emergency aid agencies and research institutes to better prepare for disasters and pandemics in Asia. As a countermeasure against new strains of influenza, the government plans to double its financial aid to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make it possible to stock Tamiflu and other antiviral drugs for one million persons. In the speech titled: "Toward the day when the Pacific Ocean becomes an inland sea - five commitments to Asia as our partner," Fukuda TOKYO 00001419 004 OF 012 proposed removing the mental barrier existing between the East and the West. He reiterated the need for the countries along the Pacific Ocean to take down fences and promote cooperation. The prime minister also expressed Japan's willingness to seek boundless possibilities with its friends in the Asia-Pacific region. The new diplomatic doctrine looks back over the Asian situation developed since his father, the late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, announced the Fukuda Doctrine in 1977. The concept, which can even be called "the new Fukuda doctrine," calls for promoting a resonance diplomacy that places emphasis on both the Japan-U.S. alliance and relations with Asia. It also stressed the stance of viewing the economic growth of China and India as giving a good opportunity for the countries in the region to strengthen collaboration, and not as a threat to them. Fukuda presented the priority areas Japan should address in order to promote regional cooperation as five commitments. The five are: (1) Absolutely support ASEAN's efforts to build a community; (2) strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance; (3) make Japan a peace-fostering nation; (4) beef up human exchanges; and (5) fight climate change. Regarding the Japan-U.S. alliance, Fukuda emphasized a common asset for the Asia-Pacific region. He indicated his willingness to promote regional cooperation based on the alliance. Five commitments cited in Fukuda's speech (1) To absolutely support ASEAN's efforts to build a community by establishing a representative of Japan to ASEAN in the near future. (2) To reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance to make it as an instrument of stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (3) To make Japan a peace-fostering nation by quickly building a network to better prepare for disasters and pandemics in Asia. (4) To build infrastructure to promote intellectual and generational exchanges, significantly expanding exchanges between college students, with those in Europe as a model case. (5) Fight climate change, offering cooperation to realize a low-carbon society. 5) Gist of Asia policy speech by Prime Minister Fukuda YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 23, 2008 The following is a gist of an Asia policy speech delivered by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on May 22: ASEAN Japan will firmly support ASEAN's effort to establish a community by ¶2015. The government will appoint an ambassador and permanent representative of Japan to ASEAN after the association's charter comes into force. Japan will endeavor to eliminate economic disparities in Asia over the next 30 years. Strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance Japan will strengthen its alliance with the United States a common asset in the Asia-Pacific region. The Japan-U.S. alliance signifies a stabilizer in the region. Peace-fostering nation TOKYO 00001419 005 OF 012 Japan will endeavor to bring about peace as a peace-fostering nation. Pursuing disaster cooperation diplomacy, Japan will work closely with other countries' emergency relief organizations in the wake of a major disaster. Japan will expedite the effort to establish an Asia disaster and epidemic prevention network, with measures against an avian influenza in mind. Youth exchanges Japan will make efforts to significantly expand inter-college exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region. Climate change Japan will make efforts to swiftly reach an agreement on a Post-Kyoto framework, as well as to realize a low-carbon society. 6) Prime minister's Asia policy follows Fukuda doctrine; Draws line from previous administration TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) May 23, 2008 Commentary Policy toward Asia, announced yesterday by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda who attaches importance to Asia, will become a pillar to realize his objective of turning Japan into a peace-fostering nation. He has defined ASEAN as Japan's partner. Expanding the focus from Southeast Asia to the Asia-Pacific region, he has also defined China and Russia as Japan's partners. In Manila in 1977, his father, the late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, set out the so-called Fukuda doctrine to forge new relations with Southeast Asian nations as allies on an equal footing. The prime minister's speech yesterday can be called a new doctrine that has inherited the spirit of the original Fukuda doctrine. The prime minister used to say this about the Fukuda doctrine: "It has beautifully accomplished its historical mission. We have to respond to the demands of the new age." It has been about 30 years since the Fukuda doctrine was delivered. Looking at the next 30 years, the prime minister, too, vowed to make efforts to eliminate disparities in Asia. Advocating diplomacy based on common values, such as freedom, democracy, and basic human rights, former Prime Minister SHINZO ABE aimed at enhanced cooperation between Japan, the United States, Australia and India. The policy direction intended to apply pressure on China and Russia forced the two countries to increase their guards against Japan. The new doctrine seemingly intended to make a clear distinction with the diplomatic principles of the previous administration. 7) Prime minister also aims to turn around situation YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) May 23, 2008 TOKYO 00001419 006 OF 012 The "new Fukuda doctrine," announced yesterday by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, is the epitome of enhanced relations with Asia based on the idea of synergy of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Asia diplomacy. The prime minister has indicated to his aides that the word "doctrine" does not quite fit in describing his speech. It has been approximately 30 years since his father, the late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, unveiled the so-called Fukuda doctrine, vowing to contribute to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia. The prime minister, who thinks that Japan shares the same perspective with other Asian nations in view of the changes in the political and economic situations in the region since then, apparently did not like the word "doctrine" that sounds like Japan is looking down on others. At the same time, the prime minister, who is suffering from dwindling approval ratings, apparently wanted to turn around the situation with his foreign policy speech that emphasized relations with Asia, his forte. His vision to enhance cooperation with Pacific Rim countries, including the United States and Russia, clearly shows his determination to turn around the situation. The true worth of the "new doctrine" will be tested through the government's efforts to establish an international emergency aid system in the wake of the 2004 Sumatra tsunami disaster, measures against an avian influenza, closer cooperation between Japan, China and South Korea, and other pressing issues. 8) Asian community initiative in economic, environmental fields, based on Japan-ASEAN cooperation NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) May 23, 2008 Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister Akira Amari at the international exchange conference "The Future of Asia" held talks with visiting Vietnamese Industry and Trade Minister Vu Huy Hoang. With the United Economies and Environment of Asia Initiative, the showcase of the economic growth strategies, which the government will reveal in June, in mind, Amari during the meeting pointed out, "Japan's helping the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) settle its environmental and energy issues and being involved in such a process would boost the Japanese economy." He thus indicated his desire to make cooperation with ASEAN the center of the drive to realize the initiative. Touching on the earlier bilateral agreement on nuclear energy development, Amari stressed that Japan's energy-conserving technology is prominent in the world. He also noted that Japan's contribution to such areas as addressing concerns about power supply and peaceful use of nuclear energy is high. Hoan during an interview with the Nikkei after the talks expressed earnest expectations for an early signing of an economic partnership agreement with Japan. He sought Japan to open its labor market, including the acceptance of Vietnamese nurses and attorneys, an issue which some disagree with on the Japanese side. He urged Japan to make concessions on the matter, noting, "There are few remaining problems. As for the rest, we will make a political judgment." 9) Koumura, Rice hold telephone conversation TOKYO 00001419 007 OF 012 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2008 Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura held a telephone discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Rice yesterday evening. According to a Japanese official, Koumura and Rice confirmed that Japan, the United States, and other countries concerned would work on North Korea to declare its nuclear programs at an early date. The two also agreed to work together for progress on pending issues between Japan and North Korea, including the issue of Japanese abductees. 10) Two parliamentary leagues on diplomacy toward DPRK established, as if playing respective roles of the "North Wind and Sunshine" ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) May 23, 2008 Two parliamentary leagues, whose positions are opposite to each other in terms of diplomacy toward North Korea, were established yesterday. One is the supraparty Parliamentary League to Promote Diplomatic Normalization between Japan and North Korea, which aims to send a delegation to North Korea. The other is the League to Move Cautiously in Diplomacy toward North Korea, a group of lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) calling for a hard-line policy toward North Korea. These two groups appear to serve respectively as "the North Wind and the Sunshine" of North Korea policy. The supraparty parliamentary league's meeting drew some 40 lawmakers from the LDP, its junior coalition partner New Komeito, the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),the Japanese Communist Party (JCP),the Social Democratic Party (SDP),and the People's New Party. The chairperson is former LDP Secretary General Taku Yamasaki, with advisors' posts assumed by DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan, New Komeito Deputy Representative Junji Higashi, and SDP President Fukushima. In the meeting, Yamasaki said: "Nearly six years have passed since the issuance of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration. Five former abductees and their family members have returned home, but no progress has been seen on other pending issues. We want to give the government a boost from the standpoint of legislators' diplomatic efforts." Meanwhile, the LDP's league, launched yesterday by six lawmakers, including House of Representatives member Hakubun Shimomura and House of Councilors member Ichita Yamamoto, held a session on the same day, inviting Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Kyoko Nakayama to the session. The group declared that it would prioritize "pressure" on North Korea in order to resolve the abduction issue. After the meeting, Yamamoto tried to forestall the moves by the supraparty parliamentary league, saying, "We want to drive a wedge into any quick move for diplomatic normalization." 11) Senior MOFA official: Six-party talks "may be restarted next month" ASAHI (Page 8) (Full) May 23, 2008 A senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday revealed the outlook that six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue would be resumed possibly in June. The official TOKYO 00001419 008 OF 012 referred to the possibility that North Korea would present a declaration of its nuclear programs to the six-party host nation China later this month or early June. Chances are increasing that the international effort to address the issue of denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, which has been stalled for more than six months, will again start to move. A high-level official, who confirmed that Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan would meet in Beijing possibly next week, noted: "If the meeting goes successfully, the six-party talks could be restarted sometime in June." The United States is expected to begin the procedures to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism once North Korea's declaration is judged as being "complete and accurate." Meanwhile, the Japanese government's position is that it is undesirable to delist North Korea before the abduction issue is resolved. If the U.S. delists the North in the current situation, it would deal a blow to the Fukuda administration. A senior Foreign Ministry official implied that Japan was working on the U.S. behind the scenes not to delist it. 12) ROK official: "Japan will not oppose" delisting DPRK as state sponsor of terrorism ASAHI (Page 8) (Full) May 23, 2008 Yoshihiro Makino, Seoul A South Korean government official yesterday mentioned the trilateral meeting held in Washington on May 19 among Japanese, U.S., and South Korean chief delegates to the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue and indicated that Japan had begun to soften its attitude. The official noted: "Japan expressed concern about (America's possible removal of North Korea) from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, but it did not voice opposition to such." 13) Koizumi, ex-LDP execs to play golf with U.S. envoy NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2008 Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and two former secretaries general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Taro Aso and Hidenao Nakagawa, will play golf tomorrow with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer in Yamanashi Prefecture. Seishiro Eto, who is close to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, called on the ambassadors to Japan of the Group of Eight (G-8) member nations in an aim to enliven the mood of friendship toward this July's G-8 summit conference that Japan will host at Lake Toya in Hokkaido. 14) Ainu stage protest, seeking indigenous rights ASAHI (Page 33) (Full) May 23, 2008 The Hokkaido Utari Association, the largest Ainu ethnic organization, headed by Tadashi Kato, yesterday handed to Chief Cabinet Secretary a petition calling on the government to recognize TOKYO 00001419 009 OF 012 them as indigenous people, as well as to set up in the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) an informal panel of experts to discuss the rights of the ethnic group. There is a move to adopt a Diet resolution advocating the respect of ethnic rights. The government intends to establish the requested expert panel if the Diet adopts such a resolution. Yesterday the Utari group staged a protest around the Diet building. A nonpartisan group of Diet members also took part in the protest demonstration yesterday. The parliamentary group is expected to draft by May 23 a Diet resolution to recognize them as indigenous and respect them. Shizuka Kamei of the People's New Party and Social Democratic Party head Mizuho Fukushima newly joined the group. 15) Ruling bloc's bill to impose harsh punishment on simple possession of child pornography ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) May 23, 2008 Kunio Katsumata The project team on child pornography (headed by Mayumi Moriyama) of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner New Komeito yesterday finalized a bill amending the Law for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The bill aims to impose harsher punishment, and in principle bans "simple possession," meaning the act of individuals collecting and possessing child pornography. If individuals possess child pornography to satisfy their sexual desires, the bill imposes a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to one million yen. In the case of images being sent unilaterally, no punishment will be imposed. The bill says the punitive measures will be applied one year after the amendment takes effect. The amendment obligates Internet providers to cooperate with investigative agencies and make efforts to take measures to prevent (child pornography) from being posted on websites. However the amendment forgoes a measure to prohibit simple possession of cartoons and animated cartoons depicting child pornography and a measure to cut off access to child pornography websites. These measures are left to be discussed in the future. Like the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),which has already worked out a bill amending the Law for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, including adding changes to the definition of child pornography, the ruling bloc also intends to submit its bill to the current session of the Diet, but as both bills are wide apart in contents, it appears difficult for both bills to be enacted into law during the current Diet session. 16) Iokibe presents own proposal for Defense Ministry overhaul YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) May 23, 2008 A government panel to discuss how to reform the Defense Ministry met at the prime minister's office on May 21, and one of its members, National Defense Academy President Makoto Iokibe, revealed there that he had submitted his own plan for a reform of the Defense TOKYO 00001419 010 OF 012 Ministry. This fact became known yesterday. Iokibe insists on maintaining the framework of the Defense Ministry's internal bureaus and the Joint Staff Office as well as the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces' respective staff offices. The Iokibe plan holds the line against the Defense Ministry's reform plan. Iokibe is one of Prime Minister Fukuda's advisers on foreign and security affairs. His plan will likely affect the panel in its discussions from now on. The panel's discussion on a reform of the Defense Ministry is now being focused on what to do about the current setups of the Defense Ministry's internal bureaus and the SDF's staff offices. In this respect, Iokibe clearly describes that the Defense Ministry should basically retain its current organizations, adding that the Defense Ministry should involve its civilian officials and the SDF's uniformed staff officers in its policymaking process. 17) Ex-defense contractor exec admits 100 million yen payoff to Akiyama YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) May 23, 2008 The House of Councillors yesterday summoned Motonobu Miyazaki, 69, a former managing director of Yamada Corporation, a trading firm dealing in defense equipment, to testify as a sworn witness before its Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee over a corruption case involving the Defense Ministry for its acquisition. Miyazaki has been charged with bribery and other crimes. In his Diet testimony, Miyazaki admitted to his payoff to Naoki Akiyama, 58, a former managing director of the Japan-U.S. Center for Peace and Cultural Exchange. A Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office taskforce has been investigating Akiyama on suspicion of violating the Income Tax Law (tax evasion). Miyazaki, according to his Diet testimony, was asked by Akiyama to defray 100 million yen in order for Yamada Corp. to deal with fishery cooperatives and gangsters over its contract to dispose of poison gas shells in the port of Karita in Fukuoka Prefecture, and he did so. In January this year, Akiyama was summoned to testify before the committee. At the time, Akiyama denied receiving the money. Miyazaki also stated that Yamada Corp. had annually paid 100,000 dollars (approx. 11 million yen) to Addback International Corporation, a U.S. business firm, as a basic consultant fee. Akiyama was an advisor to that firm. In addition, Miyazaki also revealed that Yamada Corp., asked by Akiyama, paid 100,000 dollars to the Council for National Security, a U.S. nonprofit organization. Akiyama was on the board of CNS directors. Meanwhile, Miyazaki admitted that he was with Finance Minister Nukaga at a bar in Tokyo's Akasaka. However, Nukaga has denied it. 18) Ruling parties boycott Upper House committee on bribery scandal involving Defense Ministry ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) May 23, 2008 The House of Councillors' Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday summoned as a sworn witness Motonobu Miyazaki, the former TOKYO 00001419 011 OF 012 managing director of defense equipment trader Yamada Corp. who has been accused of bribery involving the Defense Ministry over the procurement of defense equipment. While he was testifying, members of the ruling parties boycotted the session. The ruling camp opposed allowing media organizations to tape or take still images at the session on the grounds that such actions would infringe on the witness' human rights. The opposition bloc, however, gave the permission by taking a vote, urging that the media should be allowed access. Diet testimony is held based on an agreement between the ruling and opposition camps. The Diet Testimony Law stipulates that whether to allow the media to tape or take still images at a session is determined after hearing the witness' view. Therefore, Miyazaki conveyed to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Toshimi Kitazawa his view that he did not want the media to have access. However, the gaps between the ruling and opposition camps remained wide. After the testimony, asked about why his party allowed the media to tape or take still images, Keiichiro Asao, chief committee member of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),said in a strong tone: "Showing the session to the public in a timely manner is the responsibility of politics." Ruling Liberal Democratic Party Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Seiji Suzuki protested to Upper House President Satsuki Eda, arguing: "I am highly indignant at today's testimony session, which failed to protect human rights." 19) Sparks fly in campaign speeches in Lower House Tokyo No. 5 constituency; Koizumi: "DPJ opposes everything;" Kan: "Koizumi should explanations about new health insurance system for people aged 75 and over" TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2008 Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Deputy President Naoto Kan yesterday set off sparks in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, where they delivered speeches to encaurage those planning to run in the Tokyo No. 5 electoral district contest of the next House of Representatives election. In front of the Jiyugaoka station, Kan assumed the stance of facing down (Koizumi),saying: "I've heard that Mr. Koizumi will come to Meguro. So, I cannot miss this opportunity." Moreover, referring to the new health insurance system for those aged 75 and older, Kan stressed: "When Mr. Koizumi was prime minister, this system was adopted in the face of strong resistance by the DPJ. Why don't we ask him to come here and explain the reason why he introduced this health insurance system." Meanwhile, Koizumi gave a speech in a public facility in Meguro Ward. Avoiding referring to the new medical service system for the elderly, he just criticized the DPJ, saying: "Since the DPJ has come closer to assuming the reins of government, they have begun talking about unreasonable things. They will oppose everything until the next Lower House election is held." TOKYO 00001419 012 OF 012 SCHIEFFER