DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/15/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001952 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 07/15/08 INDEX: (1) U.S. Consul General Maher raises question about Ginowan allowing building houses near Futenma due to his lack of understanding (Ryukyu Shimpo) (2) U.S. consulate targeted possibly by firebomb (Ryukyu Shimpo) (3) Editorial: We don't need a U.S. consul general like Kevin Maher (Ryukyu Shimpo) (4) Government launches taskforce for civil service reform, reflecting Fukuda's eagerness to break through sectionalism (Asahi) (5) Premier rules out bowing out in triumph after close of G-8 summit (Tokyo Shimbun) (6) JCP membership increases by 9000 since last September (Asahi) (7) Soaring crude oil, food prices: Ruling party applying pressure for supplementary budget with next Lower House election in mind; Government remains cautious (Tokyo Shimbun) (8) WTO chairman's set of proposals urges political decisions to save Doha Round (Asahi) (9) SDF to scrap cluster munitions, mulls alternative weapons for coastal defense (Asahi) (10) Kasumigaseki Confidential: Responsibility for placing priority more on nuclear programs than on abductions (Bungei Shunju) ARTICLES: (1) U.S. Consul General Maher raises question about Ginowan allowing building houses near Futenma due to his lack of understanding RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 27) (Full) July 12, 2008 Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha has indicated that the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station is violating the U.S. military safety standards. U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher, touching on Mayor Iha's statement, made this comment in a regular press conference on July 11: "In terms of the safety standards to restrict construction (of houses) outside the base, there is conversely a question about why the Ginowan municipal government has allowed building (houses) outside the base near its runway." Maher's July 11 statement that lacked consideration for the residents whose lands were forcibly expropriated and for the past developments dealing up to the construction of the U.S. base has drawn fire from Mayor Iha and Ginowan residents, with some referring to the statement as "a lack of understanding" and "preposterous (from the viewpoint of local residents'." Stock argument against mayor's comment on dangerous aspects of Futenma Air Station U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher rebutted Mayor Iha's statement that Futenma Air Station is violating the U.S. safety standards, saying: "There is conversely a question about why the TOKYO 00001952 002 OF 011 Ginowan government has allowed building (houses) outside the base near its runway." Maher also held Japan responsible for constructing buildings outside the base, saying: "The U.S. government has no authority over building (houses) outside U.S. bases in Japan. The matter is under the control of the Japanese government, the prefecture, and the city; the U.S. side can do nothing about it. There is a tower near the approach light on the runway in the south of Futenma Air Station. It is not good for the U.S. in terms of safety, but the U.S. cannot do anything about it, either." Regarding the fact that Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has indicated that the governments of Japan and the United States are in agreement to relocate Futenma Air Station because it is dangerous, the consul general strongly denied the view that the base will be relocated because it is dangerous, explaining: "We do not think it is especially dangerous. We are well aware of concerns about noise and safety held by the residents near the base, and we have decided it would be better to relocate it." There is a move in the prefectural assembly to adopt a resolution opposing the plan to move the base to the Henoko district. Maher also said about such a move: "Although the ruling bloc now holds a majority, I do not think it will have an impact on U.S. force realignment." Further, he indicated that there has been no proposal from the Japanese government for moving the relocation site into the sea or for removing the danger of Futenma Air Station. The consul general emphasized U.S. efforts to remove dangerous aspects of Futenma Air Station, saying: "The question of safety has always been dealt with by the Joint Committee, a venue to discuss operations of each U.S. base. There has been no proposal for holding talks on Futenma especially. We are aware of the need to ensure safety, which is the top priority, and we have made efforts accordingly." U.S. admits to violation of safety standards Comment by Masaaki Gabe, professor at the University of the Ryukyus: The statement on the safety standards contains two problems. One is because the United States has been aware (of the violation) since it established the safety standards, the country should have decided that it was a violation before Mayor Yoichi Iha mentioned it and have felt responsible for it. The statement (posing a question about why Ginowan has allowed building the houses outside the base) is tantamount to the United States admitting to a violation of its own safety standards. The second point is that the houses and private facilities near the runway have been built pursuant to Japanese law and they are not a matter of concern of Ginowan but of the Japanese government. Futenma Air Station is a U.S. military airport and its facilities have been provided by the Japanese government. Accountability for building houses and private facilities near the base rests with the Japanese government. The argument that although Futenma Air Station is not dangerous, the base will be relocated because of local concerns is illogical. What is the reason for injecting tax money? If the base is not dangerous, (the governments of Japan and the United States) must offer a convincible explanation to the residents. It that is not possible, I TOKYO 00001952 003 OF 011 must say that local concerns are just. Local residents angry with Maher's preposterous statement U.S. Consul General Maher's comments drew an outcry from Mayor Yoichi Iha and others of Ginowan, home to Futenma Air Station, on July 11, with some describing them as "a lack of understanding of the process leading up to the establishment of the base" and as "preposterous because the houses have been there long before the base was built." Mayor Iha said: "Consul General Maher is not aware of the fact that since Okinawa's reversion to Japan, Futenma Air Station has been improved in defiance of the outside conditions and the U.S. military safety standards. The governments of Japan and the United States are required to establish a clear zone to against possible aircraft accidents. In reality, there is no clear zone, and they should take this fact seriously." Ryoichi Tsuhako, chief of the Kamiojana district in Ginowan criticized the U.S. consul general harshly saying: "It was the United States that has built the base in violation of its own safety standards. The residents have built their houses in accordance with law. There have been houses there before the base was built. It is preposterous to raise a question about why (Ginowan) has allowed building the houses near the runway." Zenji Shimada, the leader of the Futenma noise lawsuit plaintiffs, too, said angrily: "His comments are outrageous. Who brought the danger here? His logic is totally preposterous. Is he aware of the court ruling that dismissed the argument that (the residents) approached the dangerous aspects?" (2) U.S. consulate targeted possibly by firebomb RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 3) (Full) Eve., July 14, 2008 Something like a firebomb was thrown at the U.S. Consulate General at Toyama, Urasoe City, early on July 14 at around 1:15 a.m. It hit a concrete stage and ignited to burn a grass area of 30 centimeters. According to an eyewitness who called police, a person wearing gray clothes and a full-face helmet fled the scene, riding a small black scooter. No one has claimed responsibility. The Urasoe Police Station is investigating the incident on a charge of violating the Firebomb Punishment Law. According to Okinawa prefectural police, no firebomb has ever been thrown at the U.S. Consulate General. According to the Urasoe Police Station, glass chips believed to be of a bottle were discovered near the burned grass. The object was thrown at a place about 30 meters away from the building. No one and no part of the building was damaged. The fire died out. Unforgivable conduct: Maher Kevin Maher, U.S. consul general in Okinawa, condemned the incident on the morning of July 14, saying: "Fortunately, there was no injury. Okinawa prefectural police are now investigating the incident, and I appreciate their cooperation. Such conduct is unforgivable. It's not an appropriate act." TOKYO 00001952 004 OF 011 (3) Editorial: We don't need a U.S. consul general like Kevin Maher RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 5) (Full) July 13, 2008 During the U.S. Occupation, there was a military post called High Commissioner in Okinawa. The person in this post wielded significant influence as the top U.S. administrative authority of the Ryukyu Islands. It was High Commissioner Callaway who once said "Okinawa's autonomy is a mere myth." This remark drew an outcry from the people of Okinawa. He exercised ultimate authority on the political and economic fronts in Okinawa. There is a reason to bring up the tale of Callaway, a person from nearly half a century ago. There has appeared recently a person who conjures up memories of that former "cruel bailiff": U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher. We are struck by his anachronistic words and actions. On July 11, the consul general repeated his stock argument regarding the danger of Futenma Air Station: "Why has the Ginowan City government allowed the building (houses) outside the base near the runway." His message seems to be this: Blame rests on the residents who have arbitrarily build their houses near the base and the Ginowan government that has allowed them to do so. (The U.S. military is therefore not responsible for whether or not there is noise or danger there). The logic is the same as the Japanese government's so-called "moving close to the danger" argument. Although the consul general intended to rebut Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha's assertion that Futenma Air Station is violating the U.S. military safety standards, his thinking is utterly self-righteous. We are certain that the consul general is aware of the process leading up to the establishment of Futenma Air Station. Is he ignorant or simply playing innocent? In the postwar period, the residents of Isahama, Ginowan, were threatened with bulldozers and armed U.S. troops and forced to leave their property. The U.S. military drove away the residents with violence and destroyed their houses and farmland and built Camp Zukeran on their land. About 10 families from among the residents who lost their family landholdings had to immigrate to Brazil. Bases have not been built on deserted fields. Futenma Air Station has a similar story. Residents who returned to their lands after the end of the war found a base there. The consulate general used the same approach-to-danger argument to evade responsibility. The argument was clearly dismissed in a noise lawsuit ruling in June saying that the limited scope of choices to determine living places on Okinawa's main island renewed the residents' homing instinct to settle near Futenma Air Station where they used to live before their lands had been expropriated. The decision ruled that the residents who have built their houses near the base were blameless. What is the role of the consul (consulate) general? We understand the primary purpose is to forge friendly ties with the local residents. Repeating provocative statements to cause disputes with the local residents must not be a purpose. "Not telling a lie is the basic rule of diplomacy," Consul General TOKYO 00001952 005 OF 011 Maher once said in an interview. Honesty based on ignorance is the last thing we want to see. The U.S. consul general should stop acting like a modern-day Callaway. (4) Government launches taskforce for civil service reform, reflecting Fukuda's eagerness to break through sectionalism ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) July 12, 2008 The government yesterday launched a taskforce to promote civil service reform, headed by Prime Minister Fukuda. With views now split in the government and ruling camp over civil service reform, will the new panel be able to break through the traditional sectional rivalries among government agencies and implement administration from the viewpoint of the people, as pursued by the prime minister? The prime minister's seriousness about this challenge will be put to the test. Fukuda emphasized in the charter meeting of the new panel held last evening: "Politics and administration must be considered from the people's standpoint. I want you to create an organization capable of thinking of what public servants should be." Fukuda hopes to give a boost to his administration by moving the reform of government agencies forward while curbing the influence of bureaucrats. Based on this desire, Fukuda named private citizens to key posts in the taskforce. He tapped Hiroshi Tachibana (64), councillor of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren),as director general, and Yoshiro Okamoto (49),chief researcher at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., as one of the vice chiefs. One of the immediate challenges facing the new panel is the design of a personnel bureau to be set up in the Cabinet Office. It has already been decided that senior members of each government agency will be placed under unified management and that the chief cabinet secretary will produce a list of candidate members of the bureau. How future discussions develop will determine to what extent government agencies that hold information will be involved in the selection process. The formation of contact records between the government and the bureaucracy, as well as a set of standards for information disclosure, will also be the focus of discussion in the taskforce. State Minister for Administrative Reform Watanabe plans to conduct a fact-finding survey to determine the extent of daily contact between bureaucrats and lawmakers, but some lawmakers have already raised objections to the planned survey. Director General Tachibana told Fukuda in an official appointment ceremony yesterday: "It will be difficult for bureaucrats to reform themselves. I want many persons from the private sector to join the secretariat," indicating an eagerness to promote reform under the lead of the private sector. An advisory panel to the prime minister composed of experts will also be set up in the taskforce soon. What personnel will be chosen as members of the secretariat and the advisory panel is likely affect the fate of public service reform. (5) Premier rules out bowing out in triumph after close of G-8 summit TOKYO 00001952 006 OF 011 TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) July 12, 2008 The Tokyo Shimbun learned on July 11 that there had been growing speculation that Prime Minister Fukuda might step down at the close of the G-8 summit. There had been a rumor going around since this spring that amid dwindling cabinet support the prime minister would bow out amid some triumph after the close of the G-8 summit. Speculation that the prime minister appeared serious reportedly cropped up around the 9th, the day the G-8 closed. One senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party on the 10th visited the premier at the Kantei to ascertain his intention. This official asked the prime minister about the rumor outright. The prime minister reportedly clearly replied that he had no intention whatsoever of stepping down. This official said, "I am now certain that the prime minister will not abandon his administration." (6) JCP membership increases by 9000 since last September ASAHI (Page 4) (Slightly abridged) July 12, 2008 The sixth convention of the Japanese Communist Party's (JCP) Central Committee began on July 11. The highlight was a policy report of the executive committee in which JCP Chairman Kazuo Shii revealed that the party would place priority on strengthening its strength by securing 6.5 million votes in the next House of Representatives election. It obtained 4.92 million votes in the 2005 Lower House election. The JCP also aims to secure more than 20,000 new members. The JCP is expected to approve the new policy course on July 12. Shii revealed that party membership had increased by about 9,000 since last September. He also clarified that the party would make efforts to boost the number of supporters to 6.3 million, as well as to secure more than 30,000 new subscribers of the Shimbun Akahata, the party's organ paper. During the convention, Shii indicated that the JCP would increase supporters in order for the party to become a third political center: "A major campaign issue for the Lower House election is not to choose the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) but to choose political reform. We will win the hearts of those who hope to put an end to the current sense of impasse." Since last summer when the Diet was divided between the ruling and opposition camps in the House of Councillors election, the JCP has taken a stance of linking up with the DPJ in managing Diet affairs. For example, its members voted for DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa in the vote in the Upper House to select the prime minister. The JCP, however, intends to play up its presence with its own set of policies. Shii took the view that this would be a good chance to boost party strength, saying: "Under the neo-liberal economic policy, poverty has grown, and TOKYO 00001952 007 OF 011 rampant capitalism has emerged in a barbarous fashion. A new age of substantially questioning the present social and economic framework has emerged." Shii said: "We will work on young people. It is important for us to listen to young people who have lost their pride because they were used as disposable temporary workers." (7) Soaring crude oil, food prices: Ruling party applying pressure for supplementary budget with next Lower House election in mind; Government remains cautious TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) July 12, 2008 Voices calling for enacting during the extraordinary Diet session to be convened in late August a supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 incorporating measures for the steep rise in crude oil and food prices are gaining ground in the ruling camp. The reason is that there is a possibility of the situation having a serious impact on the next Lower House election, unless measures to help the daily lives of the people are included into a second budget. Upper House Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Seiji Suzuki of the Liberal Democratic Party in a speech given in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido on July 11 underscored, "The soaring crude oil and food prices are taking a toll on the people. The government and the ruling parties must help them. We should compile a supplementary budget." The steep rise in fuel prices is seriously affecting the fishing and trucking industries - both supporters of the LDP. As such, the LDP is frantic about taking countermeasures to help them, as can be seen in the fact that a Diet members' caucus promoting countermeasures to deal with the soaring fuel prices has been launched with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori as supreme advisor. One senior LDP official said, "We hear the fishermen's outcry. We need a supplementary budget as a means to deal with soaring crude oil prices and the damage caused by the Iwate-Miyagi earthquake." Another official called for a large-size supplementary budget, saying, "A supplementary budget will not produce effects, unless its size is over several hundred-billion yen. The New Komeito, which is enthusiastic about helping small to medium-size businesses and the socially weak, is also calling on the government to compile a supplementary budget. With the term of office of Lower House members expiring in September next year, a Lower House election could occur any time before that. The ruling parties are envisaging a scenario of facing a Lower House election after enacting the fiscal 2009 budget that incorporates measures to cope with soaring crude oil and food prices. However, they apparently want to prepare for a possible occurrence of an emergency situation before that with a supplementary budget. However, the government, which is in severe fiscal straits, is tightly holding on to its purse strings. State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Hiroko Ota on July 11 told a news conference, "To begin with, it is necessary to steadily implement the set of measures issued late last month to deal with the steep rise in crude oil prices. The government is not discussing a supplementary budget at the present stage." TOKYO 00001952 008 OF 011 Prime Minister Fukuda on July 10 took a cautious stance toward the idea of a second budget, noting, "I will give it some thought, after determining the situation in the coming months. This is not a matter that should be looked into right now." (8) WTO chairman's set of proposals urges political decisions to save Doha Round ASAHI (Page 6) (Slightly abridged) July 12, 2008 In an effort to save the Doha Round of global trade talks under the World Trade Organization (WTO),the chairman presented a 4th package of proposals for agreement on July 10. The proposals in the package are almost the same as those in the 3rd package produced in May, leaving a decision on the controversial question of what to do about numerical targets to a ministerial meeting that will start on the 21st. In Japan, where many are calling for caution about market liberalization, the government is likely to be under intense pressure to respond. A government source said regarding the 4th package: "The chairman is aiming to have lawmakers to stand their ground and make a decision." Countries are allowed to impose higher tariffs on sensitive products in the agricultural sectors. The chairman's proposals call for the ratio of sensitive items to the total to be reduced to 4-6 PERCENT . Of all the products, Japan wants to designate 169 or about 12 PERCENT , including rice and wheat, as sensitive items. In the industrial sector, the chairman's package sets the maximum tariff rates at 7-9 PERCENT for industrialized countries but at 19-26 PERCENT for developing countries. Japanese cabinet ministers concerned have repeatedly said they will make efforts to bring about an agreement. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Wakabayashi told a press conference yesterday: "It was also confirmed in the Hokkaido Toyako Summit that reaching a WTO agreement was also important for the global economy. We must tackle the issue with considerably strong resolve." Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Amari said yesterday that the possibility of a basic agreement to be reached at the ministerial meeting is "fifty-fifty at the present stage," adding: "If we miss this opportunity, a sense of urgency may disappear in WTO talks, and no agreement may be reached for years." A number of ruling party lawmakers representing domestic agriculture have stressed that there is no need to quickly liberalize the market when the government is about to urge farmers to increase domestic output in response to the difficulty in securing food. Chairman's 4th package Japan's assertions Upper-limit tariffs on farm products No mention Opposition to a tariff cap system Ratio of sensitive farm products to total 4-6 PERCENT 10-15 PERCENT Upper-limit tariffs on industrial products 7-9 PERCENT for industrialized countries, 19-26 PERCENT for developing countries 10 PERCENT for industrialized countries, 15 PERCENT for developing countries TOKYO 00001952 009 OF 011 (9) SDF to scrap cluster munitions, mulls alternative weapons for coastal defense ASAHI (Page 33) (Full) July 11, 2008 Unexploded ordnance (UXO) dispersed from cluster munitions causes civilian casualties. An international conference held late this May in Dublin adopted a draft treaty that bans all cluster munitions. Meanwhile, Japan's Self-Defense Forces has four types of cluster bombs. The Defense Ministry will scrap them all. Why does the SDF have cluster bombs in large quantities? "In the international community, cluster munitions are regarded as offensive weapons." With this, Chuo University Professor Motoko Mekata, who knows well about cluster munitions and is also an executive member of the Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines (JCBL),brushed off the government's standpoint. The government was reluctant to subscribe to the idea of doing away with cluster munitions, maintaining that there is no problem with Japan's cluster munitions because they are for defense only. A cluster bomb is a weapon used to attack an extensive area all at once. A discharged cluster bomb disperses a number of built-in submunitions or bomblets over a wide area. At least 75 countries have cluster munitions, and 14 countries are said to have used cluster bombs. However, cluster bombs are highly likely to cause civilian casualties after combat because a certain percentage of the bomblets do not explode. According to a Europe-based nongovernmental organization, civilian casualties due to cluster attacks total about 13,000. Why did the SDF stick to such dangerous munitions? The reason dates back to the 1980s when the East-West Cold War was still going on. At that time, the Defense Ministry and the SDF anticipated that the enemy would adopt seaborne landing operations when attacking Japan. Japan has long coastlines, so the Defense Ministry and the SDF thought that they would need the means to defend an extensive area all at once in order to block the enemy's invasion with a limited number of troops. This logic, however, derived from the Cold War period. In 2004, the government reviewed its national defense program. As a result, the government deemed it less conceivable that Japan would face a full-scale invasion. The government is now focusing on terrorist and guerrilla attacks. The Ground Self-Defense Force currently deploys about 100 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) vehicles to five of its bases across Japan-mainly in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kyushu. The Air Self-Defense Force also was supposed to engage in operations using cluster bombs to block enemy warships at sea and seaborne troops. As a result of scrapping cluster munitions, however, Japan will be urged to revise its national defense program substantially. GSDF and ASDF brass hats are at a loss, with one of them saying it is a "great shock," The Defense Ministry, which has now decided to scrap TOKYO 00001952 010 OF 011 the SDF's cluster munitions, is studying how to accomplish the task. Specifically, the Defense Ministry plans to break up the bombs and remove powder from their bomblets or blast them. Its cost is estimated at approximately 20 billion yen. The SDF is now looking for weapons that can strike an extensive area as alternatives for cluster munitions, because the SDF fears the case where it has to fight hard against seaborne landing enemy troops in defense of Japan's coastlines. The GSDF currently has cluster bombs. In addition, the GSDF also has 203-mm self-propelled howitzers, which can attack 50 meters across and can automatically fire six shells per minute. The howitzer's target area is a 30th of a cluster bomb's. In the case of the ASDF, its cluster bomb's attack area is 200 meters by 400 meters. However, its conventional bomb's coverage is a 160th of a cluster bomb's. The Defense Ministry is therefore exploring alternative munitions that can attack an expansive scope. The ministry is now looking into the possibility of introducing French- or German-made smart bombs that have self-destructive functions and can clear the draft treaty. Mekata is critical of such a way of thinking in the Defense Ministry, saying: "Modern warfare is now in the age of pinpoint strikes. Low-accuracy munitions are now outdated." (10) Kasumigaseki Confidential: Responsibility for placing priority more on nuclear programs than on abductions BUNGEI SHUNJU (Page 235) August 2005 Since North Korea made its great move, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been experiencing tough times. Although all eyes are now on the moves of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki, who joined MOFA in 1976, what is being questioned now is the leadership of Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka, who entered the ministry in 1969, and Deputy Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae, who joined the ministry in ¶1974. The reason is because both Yabunaka and Sasae served as director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda instructed Yabunaka, when he announced the roster of senior ministry officials, to give priority to the North Korea issue. Taking Fukuda's intention seriously, Yabunaka has requested Saiki to gather information whenever U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill comes into contact with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan. Fukuda has a strong sense of rivalry toward former Prime Minister SHINZO Abe, who took a tough stance toward North Korea, attaching top priority to the abduction issue. The prime minister has set an ultimate goal to push forward on the North Korean nuclear issue and produce achievements. Yabunaka has given consideration to Fukuda's intent. There was a hidden motive that Saiki, who enjoys the confidence of the families of victims of kidnapped by North Korea, would be able to minimize the possible shockwaves in Japan. As expected, Washington took the frequent holding of bilateral talks between Tokyo and Pyongyang and trilateral talks among Tokyo, Seoul TOKYO 00001952 011 OF 011 and Pyongyang as meaning that Japan, too, approved the policy of moving forward on the nuclear front. Japan's holding negotiations with North Korea became an excuse for giving a positive sign to Pyongyang. As a result, the working-level Japan-North Korea meeting in which Pyongyang made a vague promise to reinvestigate the Japanese abductees became a defining factor for the United States to start the process of removing the North from the list of states sponsoring terrorism following Pyongyang's declaration of its nuclear programs. After ascertaining the moves of Japan and North Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the Bush administration's policy of lifting North Korea as a state sponsoring terrorism. Showing various newspapers to Hill, who had visited Japan the same day that Rice announced the U.S. decision to delist the North, Saiki told him: "I want you to see how the U.S. decision is having a serious impact on Japan." For Fukuda and Yabunaka, this also became an excuse for saying that Japan was making efforts. In fact, Fukuda told reporters: "I welcome the fact that the nuclear issue is heading toward a resolution. There are no differences in the views of the United States and Japan." If North Korea fails to reinvestigate the Japanese abductees and if the abduction issue is put on the back burner, responsibility lies not only with the bureau director general but also with Fukuda and other high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials. CEKUTA