JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/09/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/09/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) G-9 Summit diplomacy: 4) G-8 leaders reach agreement on global sharing of goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but include no mid-term target (Mainichi) 5) With U.S. compromising, Prime Minister Fukuda as G-8 chair achieves more than expected in climate change talks (Yomiuri) 6) G-8 leaders make clear statement on the abduction issue (Mainichi) 7) Prime Minister Fukuda's persistence pays off at the G-8 Summit (Yomiuri) 8) Fukuda played role of the coordinator to elicit G-8 agreement on climate change, but not completely able to display his presence (Tokyo Shimbun) 9) Perception gap still exists, with G-8 more concerned about Iran's nuclear program than North Korea's (Tokyo Shimbun) 10) First Lady Fukuda carrying out "smile diplomacy" (Mainichi) Russia diplomacy: 11) Prime Minister Fukuda, Russian President Medvedev agree to speed up negotiations to settle the northern territories issue (Yomiuri) 12) Coordination underway to have Premier Putin visit Japan later this year (Nikkei) 13) South Korea's foreign minister expresses "deep concern" to Foreign Minister Koumura about the Takeshima Islands territorial dispute (Asahi) China diplomacy: 14) Expressions of concern come out of G-8 Summit about China's ODA program (Nikkei) 15) China's President Hu calls for strengthening cooperation with Japan on abduction issue (Nikkei) Defense and security: 16) Japan's Foreign Minister lauds U.S. for new policy toward cluster bombs that aims to fill the gap with international opinion (Mainichi) 17) Democratic Party of Japan adopts new "Okinawa Vision" policy statement that includes a drastic revision of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (Yomiuri) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: G-8 calls on world to share goal of halving emissions by 2050 Mainichi: G-8 sets no mid-term numerical goals for emissions cuts Yomiuri: G-8 urges China, India to share long-term goal Nikkei: TOKYO 00001882 002 OF 011 G-8 calls for emerging economies' cooperation in halving emissions by 2050 Akahata: G-8 fails to show developed countries' responsibility 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) G-8 statement on Environment: How will China respond? (2) G-8 statement on global economy: Long fight against fuel, food, and finance Mainichi: (1) G-8 Toyako Summit: Developed nations' responsibility for emissions cuts unclear (2) Heisei version of Maekawa Report: Japan should stop excessively anticipating economic growth Yomiuri: (1) Can all nations share G-8 emissions target? (2) Status of school teachers bought by money Nikkei: (1) Whether global emissions will be cut 50 PERCENT by 2050 is uncertain (2) G-8 optimistic about economic management Sankei: (1) Question is whether G-8 goal of halving emissions will be implemented (2) Japan-Russia summit: Prime Minister Fukuda fails to take advantage of meeting with Medvedev, Foreign Ministry creates problems for future Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Measures against global warming: U.S. concession is progress (2) Oita educational circle scandal: Same thing happen in other prefectures? Akahata: (1) Economic setback: Put end to structural reform policy 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, July 8 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) July 9, 2008 10:10 G-8 summit meeting at the Windsor Hotel Toya in Toyako Town, Hokkaido. 12:23 Planted a memorial pine tree, followed by a photo session. 13:12 Working lunch 15:09 Summit meeting. TOKYO 00001882 003 OF 011 17:11 Met with President Medvedev . 19:14 Working dinner with leaders from the Group of Eight nations 21:13 Met with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi. Stayed at the hotel overnight. 4) G-8 leaders agree to call on all parties to UN pact to share goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but statement includes no mid-term numerical target MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) July 9, 2008 The Group of Eight (G-8) leaders issued a joint statement on global warming and other issues in their meeting yesterday, the second day of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The leaders agreed to ask "all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to share the long-term goal of halving global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and adopt it." The statement specified that the G-8 nations would "set ambitious mid-term nation-specific targets" for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 2020. But the statement presented no specific numerical targets. In the Major Economies Meeting (MEM) and other meetings today, the G-8 nations will discuss this issue with China, India, and other emerging countries. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the chair of the G-8 Summit said after he had announced the leaders' statement: "The agreement reached this time will lay a solid groundwork for the next step. To create a framework that involves all countries, the G-8 nations have joined hands and begun to take a step forward to work on developing and emerging countries to join our efforts." The focus of attention in the summit this year was on how to move forward the agreement to "study the long-term goal in a serious manner" reached in the Heiligendamm Summit last year. The U.S. was initially reluctant to agree on the goal, saying: "It will be impossible to achieve the goal without the agreements of China and India." Japan and European countries agreed to call on about 190 parties to UNFCCC to adopt the long-term goal at its meeting. The 190 parties include China and India. The statement praised the Japan-proposed sector-based approach to determine potential reduction volumes in each industry, noting: "The approach can be useful in achieving each nation's reduction goal." The statement proposed creating an international mechanism to draw up a process chart for developing advance technology to curb gas emissions. 5) Agreement reached to "share" the target of halving greenhouse gas emissions; Results better than expected; U.S. makes eleventh-hour concession YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) July 9, 2008 TOKYO 00001882 004 OF 011 The United States, which was stubborn about setting a greenhouse gas emission reduction target, has finally aligned itself with other G-8 members. After tough negotiations on July 8, the second day of the three-day G-8 Lake Toya Summit, Prime Minister Fukuda, the host of this year's summit, managed to build a consensus among the G-8 nations on "sharing" a target. Nevertheless, difficulties are expected before the agreement bears fruit. The G-8 leaders conducted an intensive discussion on global warming over a working lunch on July 8. Although global warming was regarded as the thorniest issue in this year's summit, their discussion ended 10 minutes earlier than scheduled. Coordination had been completed at the administrative level before the working lunch. "The work is well done; it's just a first step," Prime Minister Fukuda, the chair of the meeting, said to his aide cheerfully. A Japanese government negotiation source noted two points regarding the results of the talks on July 8. One is that the G-8 members, reaching a de facto agreement on the long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 PERCENT by 2050 worldwide, decided to aim at an agreement under the framework of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) that includes other major emitters, such as China and India. Another is that the G-8 decided to come up with mid-term country-by-country targets in order to realize an "absolute reduction" in connection with a framework replacing the Kyoto Protocol. The United States, the world's largest emitter, has announced a policy of cutting emissions in 2025 and beyond. The G-8 agreement has given rise to chances that the United States will effectively retract its policy. If the envisioned post-Kyoto framework from 2013 is designed to end before 2025, the U.S. government would have to begin reducing emissions ahead of schedule, thereby giving impetus to international efforts to fight global warming. The negotiation source excitedly described the results as better than expected. The European Union, which was critical of the United States' response, also positively evaluated the results, with European Commission President Barroso saying: "We are delighted. We were also able to agree to set mid-term targets." 6) Abductions mentioned in the G-8 leaders' statement MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts) July 9, 2008 Three special documents were issued on July 8 at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit, including a statement of the G-8 leaders and a food-security statement. The leaders' statement was announced based on specific areas, such as the global economy, climate change, development, Africa, and politics. The leaders' statement refers to North Korea's nuclear declaration, calling on the DPRK to completely eliminate its nuclear programs quickly. The statement goes: "Verification is of paramount importance, and we strongly call on North Korea to fully cooperate with the verification process." Wording about the abduction issue was also included that went: "We support the TOKYO 00001882 005 OF 011 Six-Party Talks process that includes such unresolved pending matters and the abductions issue." This is the first time that the abduction issue was mentioned in a leaders' statement. Until now, it was only touched on in the chairman's summary. In a special statement on terrorism, as well, the abductions and taking hostages were condemned as unacceptable acts. 7-1) Prime minister persistent on reaching agreement on global warming countermeasures: Makes number of phone calls at night NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) July 9, 2008 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 9 undertook behind-the-scenes coordination with leaders from the Group of Eight nations at the Lake Toya Summit in an effort to reach an agreement on global warming countermeasures. Working-level coordination continued until the morning of the same day, but details had yet to be boiled down. In parallel, Fukuda telephoned various leaders, including U.S. President Bush, from the evening of the 7th through the morning of the 8th, explaining the significance of the Group of Eight reaching an agreement on a long-term emissions reduction goal. Participants agreed on the adoption of the words "will ask the whole world to share" a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 PERCENT by 2050. The prime minister himself released the specifics of the agreement. When a reporter asked him about a base year for reductions, he replied, "1990." Given a memo, he hastily corrected his answer, saying, "It is not 1990. It showed be compared with the current situation." However, no base year has yet been set, in fact. An aide said, "Having overcome that hurdle, the prime minister probable gave a sigh of relief." (08070902yk) Back to Top 7-2) Fukuda ordered aides to tenaciously negotiate with U.S. counterparts YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly) July 9, 2008 The U.S. government's concession owes much to decisions by other G-8 members under heavy pressure from the Japanese government. Upon arriving at Lake Toya on July 6, Prime Minister Fukuda instructed his aides to tenaciously continue negotiations with the U.S. government. Japan insisted on using the word "share" in regard to a long-term target. Japan and the United States remained at odds over this word until the end. The United States pushed to use the word "desirable" in regard to a target. Seeing the stalled talks, Prime Minister Fukuda placed a telephone call to President George W. Bush at the Windsor Hotel Toya and asked for a compromise. European members were pessimistic, with a British source saying: "We will not be able to find a breakthrough in climate change." But European members made active moves on the night of July 7. German Chancellor Merkel, European Commission President Barroso, and others strongly pressed President Bush for a consensus. TOKYO 00001882 006 OF 011 As a result, shortly after 1:30 on the morning of July 8, the G-8 reached an administrative-level agreement on the contents of the summit declaration. The results were reported to the G-8 leaders in the morning, paving the way for a formal agreement. Chancellor Merkel, a champion of measures against global warming, said after her meeting with President Bush on the morning of July 8 that she was very satisfied with (the document). She also smilingly voiced her expectations for the United States' response in 2009 and beyond, saying: "I am certain that the United States will keep this agreement even after its president is changed." At a working lunch, G-8 leaders praised Prime Minister Fukuda, saying that the agreement owes much to Japan's efforts. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has not changed its basic policy of pursuing its national interest. Although it accepted a long-term target, the United States has succeeded in getting the G-8 to expand the scope of its policy worldwide to include China, India and other countries. The G-8 summit has paved the way for forcing the United States to cut emissions, thereby preventing production bases from flowing into emerging countries. 8) Fukuda fails to play up presence, preoccupied with serving as coordinator TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) July 9, 2008 "Looking back over the past year, we came a long way," Prime Minister Fukuda said after the Group of Eight (G-8) leaders adopted a leaders' statement on global warming at the Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido. In the Heiligendamm Summit in Germany last year, former Prime Minister SHINZO ABE advocated the long-term goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The joint statement last year noted: "The decision by the EU, Canada, and Japan will be studied in a serious manner." In the annual assembly of the World Economic Forum (Davos Conference) in January, Prime Minister Fukuda also expressed his determination to grapple with the issue, saying: "As the chair of the Lake Toya Summit, I will work hard to form a regime that involves all major greenhouse gas emitters in a responsible manner." In June, he announced a "Fukuda vision" - a package of Japan's measures to contain global warming - in a bid to take the initiative in discussions on the issue. But it was not easy to persuade U.S. President Bush to change his stance toward setting a long-term goal. In the bilateral meeting with Bush held on July 6, just before the opening of the summit, as well, Fukuda was unconvinced that Bush would compromise. The haggling between European countries and the U.S. over emissions-reduction targets have continued since the summit last year. A senor Foreign Ministry official expressed a sense of alarm on July 7, the opening day of the summit: "If no progress is made, critics may question the efforts made over the past year and Japan's leadership." TOKYO 00001882 007 OF 011 Despite such concerns, an agreement was reached. With this, a government source said, heaving a sigh of relief: "When considering the circumstances up to yesterday, I think this is a great conclusion." The contents of the agreement, however, are far from satisfactory for the prime minister. The most serious problem is that the statement did not refer to all major economies' support for setting a long-term goal. Emphasizing that an agreement has been reached among the G-8 leaders, a senior Foreign Ministry officer said: "They do not urge others to agree to something they do not support." This expression, though, indicates that priority was given to keeping the U.S. and Europe, which are at loggerheads, at the negotiating table. Prime Minister Fukuda wanted to play up his political presence at home and abroad by taking the lead in discussions. But since he devoted himself to playing the role of a coordinator to prevent the discussions from breaking down, he was unable to demonstrate his presence. 9) Abduction issue elevated to the leaders' statement at the G-8 but a gap remains, with priority being given to Iran's nuclear program over North Korea's TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 9, 2008 In the leaders' statement on political issues adopted yesterday by the G-8, the abduction issue was mentioned for the first time. It previously had only been touched upon in the chairman's summary. It now has been elevated to the leaders' statement. However, the reactions of the G-8 leaders have been less than enthusiastic. Although Japan, as the host country, where domestic interest on the abduction issue is high, has shown it has clout, he cannot overcome the fading interest in the abductions by the international community. "North Korea has not at all carried out any specific action that would resolve the abduction issue. The views of the G-8 all agree that the human rights situation is North Korea is important, and that we should seek improvements through the G-8 and the United Nations forums." Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at last night's banquet went beyond his position as chairman when the topic of North Korea came up, forcefully explaining the need to resolve the abduction issue. The reinvestigation of the abductions promised by North Korea during the recent working level talks between Japan and the DPRK has yet to be implemented. On the other hand, with the presentation by the North of its nuclear declaration, Six-Party Talks will restart on the 10th. In order to move toward resolution of abduction issue in tandem with the nuclear problem, the G-8's pressure is indispensable. Moreover, at a time when anxiety has heightened in Japan toward the U.S. decision to remove North Korea from the list of states sponsoring terrorism, Prime Minister Fukuda would like to elicit the maximum involvement of the G-8. As a result, he was able to obtain mention of the abductions in the leaders' statement. TOKYO 00001882 008 OF 011 But only one G-8 leader told the Prime Minister he had his full support and understanding on the abduction issue. 10) First Lady Fukuda carrying out "smile diplomacy" MAINICHI (Page 28) (Full) July 9, 2008 Kiyoko Fukuda, the wife of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, is now busy showing the First Ladies of the Group of Eight (G-8) nations around the Toyako area, where the G-8 summit is now taking place. Mrs. Fukuda has been leading the U.S., British, Canadian and Russian first ladies and the wife of European Commission President Jose Manuela Barroso to various places. The French and Italian first ladies and the husband of German chancellor Angela Merkel did not visit Japan. In addition to luncheon and dinner parties, Japan's First Lady held a Japanese tea ceremony for them on July 7. She showed them around a special market in a neighboring town and the international media center on the 8th. She then took them to Mount Usu where they planted some trees. Despite the tight schedule, Mrs. Fukuda has kept a smile on her face. At the luncheon on the 7th when the six women met for first time, Mrs. Fukuda proposed holding a moment of silence in remembrance of those who had died in terrorist bombings in London on July 7 three years ago. This was done out of consideration for the British first lady, Sarah Brown. Kiyoko has shown she has diplomatic caliber. She is supporting he husband, Prime Minister Fukuda, who has seemed stiff in appearance. 11) Prime Minister Fukuda, Russian President Medvedev agree to accelerate territorial negotiations; Prime Minister Putin likely to visit Japan later this year YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) July 9, 2008 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last evening for about one hour on the sidelines of the Group of Eight (G-8) summit in Toyako, Hokkaido. The two leaders agreed to expand bilateral political dialogue with a view to realizing an early resolution of the Northern Territories issue. They also agreed to arrange visits to Japan by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and three other ministers later this year. Fukuda stated on the Northern Territories issue: "In order to raise Japan-Russia relations to a higher level, we have to resolve the territorial issue and remove any ill will between the two countries. Highly political issues such as territorial disputes require the top leader's decision." Medvedev then expressed enthusiasm for accelerating territorial negotiations, saying: "I agree with you. There is no doubt that bilateral relations will be elevated to the highest levels if the territorial dispute is resolved." 12) Japanese, Russian leaders agree to undertake coordination of Premier Putin's Japan visit: Medvedev expresses resolve to TOKYO 00001882 009 OF 011 facilitate territorial issue NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 9, 2008 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 8 met with Russian President Medvedev for about an hour at the hotel that is the venue of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. Referring to the northern territories issue, the president said, "I hope we will settle the issue at the earliest possible time without putting it put on the back burner." Regarding the signing of a peace treaty, both leaders have reaffirmed their resolve to expedite the process through sincere talks up to the summit level. They also agreed to arrange a visit by Premier Putin to Japan, as sought by Fukuda, with the possibility of realizing such in the second half of this year. Fukuda previously met Medvedev in Russia in April before he became president. This is the first time for him to visit Japan since assuming office. The focus of attention has been on what view the president would take regarding the Northern Territories issue. He noted, "The absence of a peace treaty is an impediment." He also pointed out, "If the territorial issue is settled, our bilateral relations will advance to the highest level and improve drastically." He also said, "A peace treaty plan must be such that serves the interests of both countries and be acceptable to both." 13) Takeshima a serious concern: S. Korean foreign minister ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) July 9, 2008 Foreign Minister Koumura yesterday met with South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung Hwan in Sapporo and exchanged views on the issue of Takeshima (Dokdo in Korean),a group of disputed islets in the Sea of Japan, and North Korea. Takeshima is now about to cause sparks between Japan and South Korea, as Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has decided to specify it as part of Japan's territory in a description of its curriculum guidelines for junior high schools. Yu conveyed South Korea's "serious concern" to Koumura, a South Korean source said. "That has yet to be decided," the source quoted Koumura as telling Yu. MEXT is expected to announce the description on July 14. There is also an opinion being floated from within the government to insist that MEXT should forgo its description of Takeshima this time. The government is undergoing coordination involving the Foreign Ministry and the prime minister's office. "This matter is troubling because South Korea strongly wants Japan to avoid doing so," a government official said before Koumura's meeting with Yu yesterday. "The government will make a judgment after seeing their response to the foreign ministerial meeting," the official added. According to a source familiar with relations between Japan and South Korea, Prime Minister Fukuda is scheduled to exchange views today with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, who is now visiting Japan to attend an event relating to the Group of Eight (G-8) summit in Hokkaido. Given the foreign ministerial meeting, Fukuda is expected to explain Japan's circumstances. According to Japanese and South Korean diplomatic officials, Koumura TOKYO 00001882 010 OF 011 and Yu agreed in their meeting yesterday that it is important for Japan and South Korea to make efforts to develop a mature and future-oriented partnership-which was formulated when Lee visited Japan in April-without hurting it. 14) Concern about China's ODA NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) July 9, 2008 A number of leaders from the Group of Eight nations expressed their concern about China's official development assistance (ODA) at a meeting on the development of Africa, held on the sidelines of the Lake Toya summit, noting that China does not offer international bidding and that it brings labor from its own country. Others touched on the accountability of aid donors and underscored that emerging countries like China must be fully accountable. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the chairman, smoothed over the complaints, saying, "China needs to deepen understanding of international standards. The international community also needs to hold dialogue with China and urge it to understand (international standards)." 15) We will strengthen cooperation with Japan over North Korea issue, Chinese president says to Foreign Minister Koumura NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) July 9, 2008 Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura on July 8 held a quick meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao at a summit-related reception held in Sapporo. Koumura said to Hu, "I would like to achieve progress in Japan-North Korea relations in terms of North Korea's denuclearization as well as the abduction issue. I would appreciate your support on the matter." Hu replied, "I would like to strengthen cooperation through joint efforts with Japan so as to propel the process of the six-party talks." Concerning global warming measures, a main item on the agenda of the meeting on July 8, which will include China as well, Koumura said, "I hope to see China will play a proactive role." 16) Foreign Ministry hails new U.S. policy on cluster munitions MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged) July 9, 2008 Unexploded ordnance (UXO) dispersed from cluster munitions could kill or wound civilians. In this regard, the United States has set a "new policy" to reduce UXO, sources revealed on July 7. The Japanese Foreign Ministry sees the new U.S. policy as "considerably substantial." In May, Japan voiced its support for a treaty banning cluster bombs, while the United States was opposed. The Foreign Ministry's positive appraisal seems to be aimed at closing the gap between Japan and the United States. Meanwhile, a nongovernmental organization criticized it as "backward-looking." Japan has yet to be provided with sufficient information about the new U.S. policy, according to a Foreign Ministry senior official. However, this official took it positively, saying: "If they mean to guarantee an unexploded rate in actual warfare instead of lowering it to below 1 PERCENT as a manufacturing benchmark, that is considerably substantial." TOKYO 00001882 011 OF 011 In late May, Japan supported a draft treaty banning all cluster munitions in the Oslo process for disarmament initiated by Norway and other countries and also by NGOs. The draft treaty allows Japan to conduct joint operations with the United States, which will not participate in the treaty. "Japan's support for the draft treaty will have no impact on Japan-U.S. relations," another senior official of the Foreign Ministry said. However, there is no denying that a gap may arise between Japan and the United States over their security policies. The Foreign Ministry wants to shorten the distance between Japan and the United States by supporting the United States, which has now shown a positive stance about the idea of restricting cluster munitions. Meanwhile, one NGO executive severely criticized the new U.S. policy, saying it was "nonsubstantive and too late." 17) DPJ revises Okinawa vision YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) July 9, 2008 The leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) yesterday released its "Okinawa Vision 2008" platform, on which the DPJ will base its Okinawa policy. It is a revised version of the DPJ's "New Okinawa Vision" of 2005. The revised platform proposes revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). In concrete terms, the policy paper advocates that: 1) Japan is to have primary jurisdiction over SOFA personnel's off-base crimes even when on duty and in principle will take all suspects into custody; 2) the United States is to bear 100 PERCENT compensation for civilians who suffer casualties in accidents caused by U.S. military personnel and other SOFA personnel; and 3) the United States is to restore any environmental damage resulting from its military activities. In addition, the paper refers to the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. It states that the DPJ will "continue to explore ways to relocate the airfield somewhere outside Okinawa Prefecture, and based on the changing strategic environment, relocate it outside Japan." SCHIEFFER