DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 05/29/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001474 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 05/29/08 INDEX: (1) Some ruling camp members concerned about ASDF aircraft dispatch to China, citing "rough-and-ready decision" (Sankei) (2) Japan to endorse treaty that totally bans cluster bombs (Asahi) (3) Japanese negotiator, Ambassador Nakane: "Japan can't make a move at a stretch" on the question of imposing restrictions on cluster munitions; Disapproval shown of a "total ban" draft treaty (Mainichi) (4) Japan suddenly changes stance to endorse treaty banning cluster bombs under Fukuda's instruction (Asahi) (5) Editorial: A ban on cluster bombs would harm Japan's security (Sankei) (6) Japanese firms becoming eager to invest in Africa, focusing on rich natural resources, huge market (Asahi) (7) TICAD IV opens: METI minister develops aggressive talks with leaders of various countries with aim of catching up with delay in resources diplomacy (Yomiuri) (8) Okinawa governor makes Ambassador to U.S. Fujisaki detailed requests on Futenma relocation issue (Okinawa Times) (9) Editorial: SDF should join relief operations (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Some ruling camp members concerned about ASDF aircraft dispatch to China, citing "rough-and-ready decision" SANKEI (Page 3) (Full) May 29, 2008 The government, just one day after receiving China's informal request, decided yesterday to send Air Self-Defense Force aircraft to transport relief supplies to the earthquake-hit areas in Sichuan Province. The Prime Minister's Official Residence's (Kantei) desire for making the dispatch of ASDF planes a symbol for improvement in Japan-China relations appears to be realized. Some in the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and ruling parties, however, are concerned about anti-Japanese sentiments in China, and they think the government might have made a rough-and-ready decision. Starting out by saying that China did "not appear to have asked the SDF to engage in operations in the country," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura stated in press conference yesterday: "We understand that China wants the SDF to deliver tents and blankets to airports in the country (from Japan)." A government source underscored: "It is the military that has a large quantity of tents." Regarding transportation, the government looked into the possibility of chartering commercial planes, which need a sufficient length of a runway. The government, therefore, decided to use C-130 transport aircraft, which can be more flexible, according to a source familiar with the government. TOKYO 00001474 002 OF 010 Lastly, Prime Minister Fukuda's view greatly affected the decision. Fukuda, who is now in Yokohama to attend the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), instructed the (Kantei) through his secretary "to sent SDF planes." As a result, his instruction supported the tendency in the government favoring the dispatch of SDF aircraft. Many in the ruling parties highly value Fukuda's decision, with one lawmaker saying: "It will be epoch-making for China to accept SDF planes." There is also a view wary of the Kantei's quick decision, with a mid-level member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) saying: "The Chinese government should have sought the SDF's support if it gave consideration to the sentiments of Chinese people. So, China may have had no other choice but to ask Japan's support." Meanwhile, perplexity has been spreading in the Defense Ministry and the SDF. At a time when Japan received China's request, MSDF Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami was in Australia on a business. Therefore, Joint Staff Council Chairman Takashi Saito was busy dealing with the matter, putting off his overseas trip that was to start on May 29. The ASDF has 16 C-130 transport planes. Of the 16 planes, three have been deployed in Kuwait for the transport mission in line with the Iraq Reconstruction Support Special Measures Law, two cannot be used due to the planned shift of a deployed ASDF unit, and four are now under regular inspection and maintenance. So, only seven planes are available now. A senior ASDF officer said: "The operation will be conducted at the worst time possible." The outlook is that two C-130s, which are painted white in a bid to reduce the risk to be attacked by ground-to-air missiles over Iraq, will be used. This also stems from consideration that traditional camouflaged SDF planes may give a militaristic image to the Chinese side, according to a Defense Ministry source. A source connected to the Defense Ministry pointed out cultural differences toward the military between the two countries, noting: "In communist China, the military will take the swiftest action once they are given an order. But in Japan, it is just the opposite because the SDF is bound by rules. Private transport companies can operate quicker. Some officials in the Defense Ministry are praising the dispatch of ASDF transport planes, citing that such humanitarian assistance is significant. There is also an icy view in the ministry that the Kantei used the matter as a material to stress the importance of Japan-China relations. (2) Japan to endorse treaty that totally bans cluster bombs ASAHI NET (Excerpts) 15:06, May 29, 2008 Dublin, Shigeo Tosa The Dublin international conference of the Oslo Process composed of countries aiming at a treaty banning cluster bombs reached an agreement on May 28 on a draft treaty banning cluster bombs, except for latest models. Unexploded bomblets have caused harm to civilians. Designed to ban almost all existing bombs, the draft treaty can be called a de facto total ban. The treaty will be officially adopted on May 30. Japan intends to endorse it. At the same time, such countries as the United States, China, and TOKYO 00001474 003 OF 010 Russia, which produce and possess large numbers of cluster bombs, are not members of the process. The draft treaty is designed to ban conventional cluster bombs with high rates of unexploded bomblets and to exclude new, high-performance bombs with extremely low rates of unexploded bomblets. In the conference, such countries as Japan, Britain, France and Germany called for a wide range of exceptions, while such Oslo Process proponents as Norway and African countries insisted on a total ban without exceptions. In the end, an agreement was reached to ban almost all cluster bombs in the world in accordance with the definition in the draft treaty, with some exceptions. Signatories to the treaty possessing cluster bombs will aim at the total abolition of cluster bombs in eight years. The draft treaty also includes a provision on assistance for victims of cluster bombs. Britain, France, and Germany supported the draft treaty because it is designed to exclude cluster bombs with self-destructive devices that would not leave unexploded bomblets. Following the agreement, British Prime Minister Brown released a statement saying, "We will abolish all types of cluster bombs we possess." France also made it clear that it would destroy the cluster bombs banned under the treaty. (3) Japanese negotiator, Ambassador Nakane: "Japan can't make a move at a stretch" on the question of imposing restrictions on cluster munitions; Disapproval shown of a "total ban" draft treaty MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) Eve., May 28, 2008/05/29 Ken Uzuka Takeshi Nakane, ambassador/director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MOFA) Disarmament, Nonproliferation and Science Department, recently responded to an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun. In the interview, he spoke of the fact that the Oslo Process, which are disarmament talks aimed at concluding a ban on cluster munitions by the end of the year, is about to reach a conclusion to totally ban cluster bombs in principle, except for newer "smart" cluster munitions whose failure rates are extremely low. Nakane voiced strong disapproval of a treaty that would totally ban all such weapons. He noted: "Even though the conference is wrapped in such a mood, we can't make a move in that direction at a stretch." As the reasons, he cited the huge cost of scrapping the cluster munitions Japan now possesses and the security concerns (created by removing all such weapons). Ambassador Nakane was the first senior MOFA official responsible for negotiations on cluster munitions who talked about Japan's views regarding the Dublin Conference now going on Ireland as part of the Oslo Process. In the conference, Japan has insisted on firmly upholding "improved cluster bombs" or those whose failure rates have improved remarkably, even more so than the newer "smart cluster munitions." But Japan's idea is shared only by a minority. Referring to improved cluster munitions, Nakane said, "We can't side with the call for rejecting such munitions entirely," and touching TOKYO 00001474 004 OF 010 on the mainstream's view that the newer "smart cluster munitions" should be exempted from the ban, Nakane said: "That will mean Japan will be forced to scrap all cluster bombs it now possesses. The cost of scrapping them will be huge. In actuality, it would be difficult to prepare alternatives at a stroke." Nakane, however, noted, "We want to pay due consideration" so that Japan will not be isolated, and he even implied the possibility of making a certain degree of concessions with the mainstream group, by saying, "We will not make any negative statement at the conference." The government said in its Diet replies that the maintenance cost of cluster munitions comes to 27.6 billion yen, combining the costs needed by both the Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces (GSDF and ASDF). The number of old cluster bombs whose failure rates are high and which are stored by the ASDF is estimated to be in the thousands. Japan possesses neither improved cluster bombs nor the newer smart ones. (4) Japan suddenly changes stance to endorse treaty banning cluster bombs under Fukuda's instruction ASAHI (Page 1) (Slightly abridged) Evening, May 29, 2008 The Japanese government suddenly decided today to endorse a draft treaty banning cluster bombs, following the presentation of the chairman's plan in the Dublin Conference. Until then, Japan had reserved its stance, but judging it necessary to make a response from the humanitarian point of view, the government has decided to endorse the draft treaty to be adopted on May 30. Japan also intends to send a representative to the signing ceremony scheduled for December. According to informed sources, Prime Minister Fukuda instructed relevant government agencies to address the issue of banning cluster bombs in a positive manner. When he met on May 23 with Deputy President Toshiko Hamayotsu of the New Komeito, which has called for total prohibition, Fukuda also said: "It is necessary to take a penetrating response. Leave things to me." The Japanese government was initially calling for exceptions for some types of cluster munitions and setting a certain transitional period, stressing the need to have a balance between humanitarian considerations and the security aspect. The chairman's plan, though, bans all the types of cluster bombs now possessed by the Self-Defense Force. A senior Defense Ministry official grumbled: "It will become necessary to abolish all our cluster bombs, so security problems might arise. New types of bombs are expensive, so we are in a quandary." The government will have to consider how to dispose of the cluster bombs held by the SDF and look into an introduction of the state-of-the-art munitions. It will work out details by the signing ceremony in December and ask for views about the propriety of Japan's conclusion of the treaty in the regular Diet session next January. (5) Editorial: A ban on cluster bombs would harm Japan's security TOKYO 00001474 005 OF 010 SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 29, 2008 In Northeast Asia where the Cold War structure is still very much alive, the possession of cluster bombs by Japan alone might be restricted. In Ireland's capital of Dublin, the "Oslo Process" international conference is underway to discuss a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs. In the conference, a chairman's plan to ban almost all cluster bombs possessed by the member countries has been outlined. The conference is now in the final phase of coordination with the aim of adopting a treaty on May 30. Tokyo must consider carefully how joining the treaty could affect Japan's security. Any step harming the country's security would leave serious problems for the future. Cluster bombs are designed to scatter smaller bomblets. There has been a flurry of accidents involving unexploded bomblets. Japan must make greater efforts to implement and support humanitarian measures, such as disposing of unexploded bombs. The participating countries have been discussing ways to restrict cluster bombs under the framework of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). The Oslo Process started centering on countries calling for a total ban on cluster bombs. Over 100 countries, including Japan, are taking part in the Dublin conference. It does not include the United States, Russia, and China, which possess large numbers of cluster bombs. South Korea and North Korea -- members of the six-party talks -- have not joined it, either. The conference is split between such countries as Norway and Ireland which are calling for a total ban and Japan, Britain, and Germany which are in favor of a partial ban. Major points at issue include the definition of the cluster bomb and how to handle joint operations with nonmember countries. The chairman's plan seems to be intended to exempt from the ban the latest model of cluster bombs that are designed to accurately attack military targets only and to blow themselves up so as not to leave unexploded bomblets. With this, over 90 PERCENT of the cluster bombs possessed by the member countries and all the bombs possessed by Japan would be banned. Japan plans to use cluster bombs to fight off an invading enemy. Having long coastal lines and many remote islands, there is no other effective means for Japan to prevent enemy troops from landing in the country. The environment is different from Europe where the Cold War is a thing of the past. The ban would have a significant impact on the Japan-U.S. alliance as well. If the use, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs are banned under the treaty, the strike capability of the U.S. military in Japan would decline and Japan would not be able to support the U.S. military. Japan should consider every possible response, including a rejection, so as not to impair its deterrence. TOKYO 00001474 006 OF 010 (6) Japanese firms becoming eager to invest in Africa, focusing on rich natural resources, huge market ASAHI (Page 11) (Full) May 29, 2008 Japanese companies have begun to eagerly invest in Africa as a future enormous market. While European countries, China, and India have been stepping up efforts to make inroads into Africa with the aim of securing rich natural resources there, Japan was slow to make an approach to the region. In the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD),which opened yesterday, Prime Minister Fukuda pledged to double investment in Africa by the Japanese private sector. He said: "The more effective utilization of rich natural resources in Africa by employing Japan's technologies will help stimulate economic growth and will result in surely benefit Africa." Coastal areas in North Africa and West Africa produce large volumes of oil and gas. South Africa yields abundant amounts of rare metals. Trading houses are eagerly trying to win exploitation rights. Sumitomo Corp. announced last year plans to participate in a nickel mining project in Madagascar that will cost approximately 3.7 billion dollars, or approximately 380 billion yen. In the past, of the orders received by Japanese companies for projects in Africa, most were those related to the government's official development assistance (ODA) program. But the situation has completely changed. Mitsubishi Corp. has invested in such businesses as chromium alloy production (in South Africa) and aluminum refining (in Mozambique). It has operated even processing plants there. Mitsubishi is known as a company that succeeded in fostering sustainable businesses in Africa. Given the current vigorous mine development, as well as increasing demand for machinery for infrastructure construction, Komatsu Ltd., a leading construction equipment manufacturer, expects its sales in Africa to increase from 70 billion yen in FY2006 to 120 billion yen in FY2008. Four major Japanese construction companies, including Kajima Corp., have won contracts for 540 billion yen worth of project to construct highways in Algeria. Demand for equipment for power generation is sharply growing. Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have received orders from the South African government for power-generation boilers and nuclear power reactors. Toyota Motor Corp. plans to enhance the productive capacity of its plant in South Africa from the current 200,000 units to 220,000 units. Nissan Motor Co. will set a new plant it will establish in Morocco jointly with Renault, a French vehicle manufacturer, in operation in 2010. In response to soaring demand, Sumitomo Chemical Co. has set up a system to annually produce 10 million insecticide-treated bed nets which can protect against malaria. The company is also planning to build a plant in Nigeria. President Hiromasa Yonekura said: "It is essential for us to establish a sustainable relationship with the other side while making profits, instead of just offering provisional aid." TOKYO 00001474 007 OF 010 Ajinomoto Co. has marketed a flavor enhancer, its main product, in Nigeria. Its spokesman said: "People there regularly eat tomatoes and rice. The flavor enhancer makes dishes using such foodstuffs more tasty." The company posted 10 billion yen as the sales value in FY2007. Loans extended by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to private firms planning to invest in Africa in FY2007 skyrocketed to approximately 86 billion yen, about 16 times larger than that in the previous fiscal year. In Nigeria with the largest population, however, China reportedly holds a 90 PERCENT share in the two-wheeled motor vehicle market. About 7,000 Japanese now live in Africa, whereas Chinese residing there, including migrant workers for natural resource development, reportedly total 750,000. Mitsubishi Corp. President Yorihiko Kojima pointed out the necessity to make use of ODA for new purposes, saying: "It will be difficult to do business in the same way (as done by Chinese). We should win confidence in our own way, such as offering cooperation for infrastructure development." (7) TICAD IV opens: METI minister develops aggressive talks with leaders of various countries with aim of catching up with delay in resources diplomacy YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full) May 29, 2008 The government is proactively developing resources diplomacy toward various African countries at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV),which opened in Yokohama City on May 28. Prime Minister Fukuda and Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister Amari are eager to secure Japan's interest in crude oil and rare metals in Africa through a series of talks. Japan is lagging behind China or Russia in its resources strategy toward Africa. It needs to adopt a sustainable strategy in order to recover from inferiority. Tight schedule Fukuda is keeping his tight summit schedule on track. Amari also met with the Angolan leader on the 27th and the leaders of GABON and Uganda on the 28th. They are scheduled to meet with a number of leaders from African countries, including Nigeria, Madagascar, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of South Africa after the 29th as well. Of those countries, Nigeria is the largest oil-producing country in Africa. Angola also has promising oil fields. South Africa produces zirconium. Congo is a cobalt-producing country. Cobalt is a versatile material for industrial use. Most of the leaders they will meet are from countries that export resources, which Japanese manufacturers want to purchase. The government is eager to secure channels to procure resources, by establishing close relations with those countries with the TICAD conference as the occasion. China, Russia taking lead Behind Japan's aggressive approach to African nations is the fact that it is lagging behind in resources diplomacy toward Africa. TOKYO 00001474 008 OF 010 China is endeavoring to strengthen ties with African countries with its leader frequently visiting African nations and coming up with such aid measures as to provide funds or help them build infrastructure. China's move to financially support its companies' advance into Africa is also visible as can be seen in that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has obtained a 20 PERCENT stake in Standard Bank, the largest bank in South Africa. China imports resources, such as crude oil, from Africa and exports manufactured goods to it. Its trade with Africa outdoes Japan's trade with it in terms of value and growth rate. India and Russia are also more aggressively approaching various African countries. Newly-established mine operating companies of Europe and the U.S. are also beginning to pay attention to rich resources in Africa. Non-affiliated oil and gas companies of Britain and the U.S. last year discovered promising oil and gas fields in West and Central Africa. Key is sustainability Some take the view that while emerging countries, such as China, are increasing their presence in Africa, Japan is losing attraction as a destination of Africa's resources and a country from which it can procure capital, as a METI source put it. However, leaders of the countries with whom Amari met pinned hopes on cooperation from Japan with Angolan President Dos Santos saying, "We are in short supply of social infrastructure and human resources," or Ugandan President Museveni noting, "We want Japan to invest in our countries, without missing out on this opportunity." The government has revealed a plan to double official development assistance (ODA) to and investment in Africa over the next five years. However, it needs to come up with a strategic aid policy that will lead to securing resources. (8) Okinawa governor makes Ambassador to U.S. Fujisaki detailed requests on Futenma relocation issue OKINAWA TIMES (Page 2) (Full) May 28, 2008 New Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki met on May 27 with Okinawa Gov. Masahiro Nakaima at the governor's office. The two exchanged views on crimes and accidents caused by U.S. military personnel, as well as on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station (to a coastal and offshore area adjacent to Camp Schwab in eastern Nago City). Regarding the Futenma relocation, Nakaima said: "I basically accept the agreement between the Japanese and U.S. governments, but I am working on the matter with minor adjustments in mind." He indicated in his remark that it would be necessary to adjust the runway construction plan to build the runways off the coastline. Deputy Gov. Zenki Nakazato pointed out: "It is necessary to give consideration to the result of environmental impact assessment." Fujisaki reportedly said: "I want to discuss the matter with you so that the relocation plan will be realized as early as possible." The meeting, except at its outset, was held behind closed doors. TOKYO 00001474 009 OF 010 Nakaima revealed that he would visit Washington around this fall to call on officials connected with the State Department, the Pentagon, and the Congress to ask them to come up with measures to prevent a recurrence of similar crimes and accidents caused by U.S. military members. Nakaima then asked Fujisaki to play a coordinating role. Nakaima also sought Fujisaki's cooperation on inviting enterprises to Okinawa. Fujisaki told Nakaima that he had served as minister-counselor for political affairs at the embassy in Washington from 1995 and as director general of the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau from 1999. He said: "Since I have been in charge of Okinawa issues, I understand effects and burden posed by the U.S. bases on the prefectural residents." He then spoke of his aspiration: "Fully taking the feelings of Okinawa people into consideration, I want to inform the U.S. of the meaning of the Okinawa problem and confer with the U.S. side as need arises." It was firs time for a Japanese ambassador to the U.S. to meet with an Okinawa governor since former Ambassador Ryozo Kato had met with former Gov. Kenichi Inamine in 2001. (9) Editorial: SDF should join relief operations NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 29, 2008 Tokyo has received a request from Beijing for transporting Self-Defense Force tents and blankets to China as part of its assistance to areas devastated by the Sichuan earthquake. The government has begun considering allowing SDF transport planes to airlift such supplies. Disaster areas are in serious need of tents and other supplies. We would like to see the two governments positively utilize the SDF, which is highly flexible. SDF aircraft may enter China for the first time. Given China's strong nationalist sentiment resulting from the aggression (before and during WWII) of the former Imperial Japanese Army, Beijing's request is quite unusual. It is epoch-making for bilateral relations as well. It has been over two weeks since the deadly earthquake struck China. The severity of damage from the devastating temblor has become clear over time. The death toll has exceeded 68,000. The serious risk of secondary disaster has also cropped up. What is most feared now is the burst of over 30 "quake lakes." The Tangjia Shan quake lake is regarded as especially dangerous. Should it burst, as many as 1,300,000 people would have to evacuate. To prevent a burst, the Chinese military has begun work to drain the lake. We earnestly hope their effort will pay off. There are concerns about infectious diseases as well. Over 360,000 injured people have yet to receive treatment, and there are not enough tents for the 5 million people who have been left homeless by the quake. In addition, there are a plethora of tasks, such as care for children who have lost their family members, collection of radioactive materials from under rubble, damage from aftershocks. The Chinese government has been making strenuous efforts with the assistance of volunteers and foreign aid workers. The Chinese media has described the effort as the greatest disaster relief operation TOKYO 00001474 010 OF 010 in the history of the country. It must be a world-class effort. Yet, the damage is so massive that the government has been a step behind in taking relief measures. Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his gratitude to the Japanese disaster relief medical team, saying, "You have come here to help us at the most difficult time." Gaining high praise from China, the Japanese disaster relief team has helped improve Chinese sentiment toward Japan. If there is a request from China, the government should consider sending an additional medical team beyond dispatching the SDF. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has recently advocated the creation of an epidemic and disaster prevention network. With an eye on the future, we would like to see an international cooperation concept take shape, while helping China in dealing with its difficulties today. SCHIEFFER