JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/18/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001991

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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 07/18/08

Index:

1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
Prime Minister's daily schedule: On vacation in Tokyo

3) Jiji poll has the Fukuda Cabinet support rate rising 2 points to
21.1 PERCENT , still well in the "danger zone" (Tokyo Shimbun)

Defense and security affairs:
4) Government to put off dispatch of SDF to mainland Afghanistan due
to divided views in the ruling parties (Asahi)
5) In shelving dispatch of SDF to Afghanistan, Fukuda government is
giving priority to political stability over contributing to U.S.
effort (Asahi)
6) Tokyo high court orders central government to pay 194 million yen
compensation to homeowners who filed lawsuit over Yokota aircraft
noise (Tokyo Shimbun)

Diplomatic agenda:
7) Following G-8 summit triumph, Prime Minister Fukuda hit with
series of diplomatic challenges, including Korean Peninsula, Afghan
aid issues (Tokyo Shimbun)
8) Investigation of abductions promised by Pyongyang remains up in
the air, with no prospects in sight for a Japan-North Korea foreign
ministers' meeting at ARF (Mainichi)

9) China's Vice Foreign Minister Wu in meeting with LDP's Yamasaki
in Beijing urges Japan to join energy aid effort toward North Korea
(Asahi)
10) Former Prime Minister Abe blasts LDP's Koichi Kato for
suggesting that the five repatriated abductees should have been
returned to DPRK as promised (Yomiuri)
11) Abductee family association to send questionnaire to Diet
members querying the propriety of removing sanctions now imposed on
North Korea (Sankei)
12) South Korea's ambassador to Japan: Planned September visit to
Japan by President Lee may be cancelled (Mainichi)
13) Nukaga in Middle East wooing oil money to Japan (Asahi)
14) Coordination between Japan and Russia to have Prime Minister
Putin visit Japan in December (Yomiuri)
15) Vietnam ODA scandal: PCI Company to be tried on bribery charge
(Mainichi)

Political scene:
16) Prime Minister Fukuda, now vacationing at a hotel, meets aide,
fuels speculation he is planning cabinet shuffle (Mainichi)
17) Convening of extraordinary Diet session planned for late August
may be put off until September (Mainichi)
18) Possibility of supplementary budget planned for extra Diet
session may be put off until after regular session of the Diet is
convened (Nikkei)

Articles:

1) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Government forgoes plan to dispatch SDF troops to Afghanistan

Mainichi:
Tokyo prosecutors likely to file charges against ex-PCI executives

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for bribing Vietnamese official over acceptance of 90 million yen
order

Yomiuri:
Government decisions on pension claims vary widely among
prefectures

Nikkei:
Inflation rates higher than central bank-set target rates in many
countries

Sankei:
24 baseball players chosen for Beijing Olympics; Uehara makes cut
for Beijing

Tokyo Shimbun:
Fulltime doctors decrease at public hospitals

Akahata:
Need for hourly wage of at least 1,000 yen

2) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Darfur: Put an end to this tragedy
(2) Fukawa retrial: Lessons for jury-judge system

Mainichi:
(1) Phone fraud: Need for measures to protect the elderly
(2) Cluster bombs: Next U.S. government should join treaty

Yomiuri:
(1) Revision of the Swords and Firearms Control Law: Will daggers be
prohibited?
(2) Akutagawa Prize: Japanese literature turns page with foreign
writers

Nikkei:
(1) U.S. government to shift its Iran policy
(2) Future of Chinese economy is not optimistic

Sankei:
(1) Illegal hiring of teaches: Oita Prefecture must conduct re-exams
to restore public confidence
(2) Bus hijacking: How to prevent crimes involving minors

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Bus hijacking: What a shortsighted act!
(2) Archive management: Good opportunity to reform Kasumigaseki

Akahata:
(1) A consumer agency plan: Politicians must reflect on the
situation

3) Poll: Cabinet support up slightly to 21.1 PERCENT

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged)
July 18, 2008

The public approval rating for Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's cabinet
slightly rose 2.0 percentage points from last month to 21.1 PERCENT
in an opinion poll conducted by Jiji Press on July 10-13. The Fukuda

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cabinet's support rate, which had been on the decline since last
November, has stopped dropping for the time being. The disapproval
rating was 57.1 PERCENT , down 4.7 points from last month. However,
the Fukuda cabinet's support rate is still in a 'danger zone.'
Fukuda presided over the July 7-9 Group of Eight (G-8) summit held
at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, and he tried to display leadership as its
chair. However, the figures show that the event did not boost his
popularity.

In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party fell 2.2 points to 18.1 PERCENT , hitting
an all-time low since the Hashimoto cabinet that came into office in
January 1966. Meanwhile, the leading opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (Minshuto) stood at 15.6 PERCENT , up 1.1 points. The
proportion of those with no particular party affiliation increased
0.5 points to 57.7 PERCENT .

The survey was conducted across the nation on a face-to-face basis
with a total of 2,000 persons chosen from among men and women aged
20 and over. The response rate was 67.8 PERCENT .

4) Government to forgo sending SDF to Afghanistan; Ruling coalition
remains divided on option

ASAHI (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
July 18, 2008

The government is likely to forgo a plan to dispatch Self-Defense
Force troops to mainland Afghanistan. The reason is because there is
opposition in the ruling bloc, including the New Komeito, and also
because there is no prospect for enacting the necessary new
legislation. The government intends to enact a bill extending the
refueling assistance special measures law beyond next January during
the next extraordinary Diet session in the fall, while continuing
the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean.

Japan has been conducting refueling activities in the Indian Ocean
as part of its assistance to the war on terror in the wake of the
9/11 terrorist attacks on America. Japan has been asked not only for
sea-based assistance but also for ground-based support by the U.S.
military and NATO forces in Afghanistan who have been forced to
increase their troop strengths for their protracted stationing in
that country. Japan has been informally asked to send the Ground
Self-Defense Force's large transport helicopters and to provide
logistical support for the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) and the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) effort.

In compliance with such a request, the government sent in June a
fact-finding team to Afghanistan and its neighboring countries.
Based on its findings, the government has considered the possibility
of dispatching the Air Self-Defense Force's C-130 transport planes,
in addition to GSDF helicopters. But it is difficult to assure their
safety in Afghanistan where suicide bombings and insurgents' attacks
are still rampant.

Further, opposition is strong in the New Komeito, with its
representative Akihiro Ota voicing to reporters on July 12 his
cautious view about sending the SDF to Afghanistan. In the divided
Diet, in which the opposition DPJ controls the House of Councillors,
the ruling coalition cannot use a two-third House of Representatives
override vote to pass legislation without the New Komeito's
endorsement. There is no prospect for enacting a bill that includes

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a new SDF mission.

Given the situation, the view is prevalent among LDP foreign and
defense policy specialists that the ruling bloc would not be able to
come up with a uniformed view because there are too many obstacles.

A senior government official has recently explained to a visiting
U.S. Defense Department official that extending additional
assistance would be difficult.

Thinking the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean must be
continued, the government plans to submit to the next extra Diet
session, which is likely to open in late August, a bill to extend
the refueling assistance special measures law beyond the January 15
expiry. In order to enact the law in January this year, the ruling
coalition had to use a two-third Lower House override vote because
the opposition camp refused to approve it in the Upper House.

The opposition camp is certain to oppose the envisaged bill to
extend the law. The government plans to enact the legislation before
the end of the year even with the 60-day rule in mind.

The United States has emphasized the need for additional assistance.
The government will look for such means as enhancing personnel
assistance to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and
NGOs that are carrying out activities in Afghanistan.

5) Decision to shelve dispatch of SDF to Afghanistan shows priority
of stabilizing the Fukuda administration over contributing to the
U.S. effort; Government would suffer a great blow if SDF casualties
occur

ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpt)
July 18, 2008

The government is heading in the direction of putting off the
dispatch of Self-Defense Forces troops to mainland Afghanistan. The
reason is that even if a bill to authorize the dispatch is submitted
to the Diet in the fall extraordinary session, it would only stall
due to the views in the ruling camp opposing the move and the
attacks of the opposition camp. For the Fukuda administration, whose
popularity remains low even after the G-8 Summit, the situation
inevitably has required giving priority to shoring up its footing
over giving consideration to the alliance with the United States.

"The U.S. is growing tired over its alliance relationship with
Japan. An Afghan dispatch would have been a great chance for Japan
for expectations are very high in the U.S. about such." A Foreign
Ministry source cited this as the reason for consideration having
been given to an SDF dispatch to Afghanistan.

6) Court orders gov't to pay 194 million yen in compensation for
Yokota base noise

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 27) (Abridged)
July 18, 2008

The Tokyo High Court yesterday ordered the government to pay
approximately 194 million yen in compensation for noise damage to
residents living in the vicinity of the U.S. Air Force's Yokota base
located across Fussa and other municipalities in Tokyo. A group of
some 260 residents living near the base filed a class action lawsuit

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with the Tokyo District Court at its Hachioji branch against the
state, seeking to suspend U.S. military aircraft's late night and
early morning flights and to pay compensation for noise damage. The
Tokyo District Court's Hachioji branch ordered the government to pay
about 160 million in compensation for noise damage in the past. The
Tokyo High Court rectified this court ruling of first instance. The
high court upheld the district court's ruling that turned down the
plaintiffs' demand for flight suspension and future damages.

Presiding Judge Hidetoshi Munemiya acknowledged the residents' right
to claim for damages, noting that the noise damage is beyond the
limits of tolerance and is unlawful. The high court ruling added
about 34 million yen for noise damage during the period of time from
the first instance trial's conclusion through the second instance
trial's conclusion.

The high court ruling confirmed the district court's decision to
dismiss the plaintiffs' appeal for flight suspension, stating that
the U.S. military has base operational authority and it is
inappropriate to demand state action for suspending U.S. military
operations that are beyond the scope of Japan's claim.

7) Tough challenges continue to face Prime Minister Fukuda after G-8
Summit

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
July 18, 2008

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has been encountering one tough issue
after another on the diplomatic front. Already faced with mounting
domestic issues resulting from soaring oil prices, he cannot afford
to lose points on diplomacy, an area in which he takes pride. There
seems to be no end to the worries of the prime minister, who has
just began his summer vacation after successfully handling this
year's G-8 summit as the chair.

The issue of Takeshima/Dokdo, over which both Japan and South Korea
have claimed sovereignty, flared up again just before the prime
minister's summer vacation. Reacting strongly to the government's
decision to specify the ownership of Takeshima for the first time in
a middle school teachers' manual, South Korea has recalled its
ambassador to Japan.

Seoul has also rejected Tokyo's call for a Japan-ROK foreign
ministerial on the sidelines of an international conference in
Singapore next week.

The Takeshima issue might also take a toll on the Japan-ROK summit,
planned for September in Japan as the first bilateral summit
independent of any international conferences.

The prime minister's message highlighting the need to deepen the
understanding of each other by overcoming differences in positions
has apparently not reached South Korea.

The issue of Japanese nationals abducted to the North remains
stalled despite the fact that the question of denuclearizing North
Korea has been moving toward disabling its nuclear facilities in the
wake of the United States' decision to delist the North as a state
sponsor of terrorism.

North Korea promised to reinvestigate the fate of Japanese abductees

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in Japan-DPRK working-level talks held on June 12 after a nine-month
hiatus. It has been over one month, but not even how to
reinvestigate them has not been decided.

The clock is ticking for the United States to officially take the
North off its list of terrorism-sponsoring nations on August 11. If
the North is delisted before any progress is made on the promised
reinvestigation, the prime minister is certain to come under fierce
fire.

A thorny path also lies ahead for the prime minister's aim of
expanded personnel assistance in Afghanistan in line with his slogan
of turning Japan into a peace cooperation country.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura simply reiterated in a
press conference yesterday that the government is considering what
kind of cooperation is possible. The government also eyes
legislation enabling the SDF to extend new assistance, in addition
to personnel contributions under existing legislation.

But a cautious view is strong in the New Komeito about allowing the
SDF to join the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which
has lost many lives in conflicts with insurgents.

Even if the government and ruling parties manage to reach a
consensus, the matter is likely to become a source of dispute in the
next extraordinary Diet session, expected to open in late August,
given the opposition bloc's control of the Upper House.

8) North Korea's reinvestigation of abduction issue deadlocked, with
no prospects for progress in expected Japan-North Korea foreign
ministerial at ARF

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
July 18, 2008

North Korea's promise to reinvestigate the issue of Japanese
nationals abducted by DPRK agents that was made during official
bilateral working-level talks in June has reached a deadlock. An
informal foreign ministerial meeting of six countries will be held
on July 24 on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast
Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore, where Foreign
Minister Koumura and his North Korean counterpart Pak are supposed
to hold a meeting. But there are no signs that the North plans to
bring up the abduction issue. No prospects are in sight for the next
round of working-level talks. If the blank period becomes
protracted, the validity of the agreement itself may be undermined.

Since both sides agreed on the reinvestigation, Japan has repeatedly
called on North Korea for bilateral talks to determine a specific
method for the reinvestigation, but the North has made no response.
Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director
General Akitaka Saiki said when he met members of the Association of
the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea yesterday: "Nothing
has been decided about the next round of talks."

Based on the view that the abduction issue should be on the agenda
at the six-party talks, Tokyo has prepared a strategy to move the
abduction issue forward in line with progress in the North Korean
nuclear problem. In actuality, however, only discussions on the
nuclear issues at foreign ministerial and other meetings under the
six-party framework have made headway, while the abduction issue has

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been left behind.

9) China urges Japan to take part in energy aid to N. Korea

ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
July 18, 2008

BEIJING-Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic
Party's Research Commission on Foreign Affairs, met yesterday in
Beijing with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who presides
over the six-party talks, to exchange views on the North Korean
nuclear issue. Japan has not taken part in economic and energy aid
to North Korea in return for its disabling its nuclear facilities.
Wu, however, urged Japan to respect the six-party framework,
according to Yamasaki. "Japan should take action with the big
picture in mind," Yamasaki quoted Wu as saying.

According to Yamasaki, Wu stressed: "We're resolutely against the
idea of having another country take over Japan's portion. That would
cast a shadow on relations between Japan and North Korea. Besides,
it will also hurt the international image of Japan." Wu added,
"North Korea will also tackle the abductions issue in earnest, but
we also want Japan to consider energy aid in earnest." With this, Wu
urged Japan to take part in energy aid to North Korea.

10) Former Prime Minister Abe blasts LDP's Koichi Kato for
suggesting that the five repatriated abductees should have been
returned to DPRK as promised (Yomiuri)


Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) in a speech given in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, strongly
rebutted former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato's criticism of Abe
and others, who in 2002 took the lead in not returning the five
repatriated abductees to North Korea (as promised in the
negotiations). Abe stressed: "Japan never promised (to return the
victims to North Korea). It was North Korea itself that betrayed
Japan with its assertion. Mr. Kato is greatly mistaken in his
thinking."

11) Family association to survey lawmakers' views about lifting
sanctions against North Korea

SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
July 18, 2008

The Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea
and the National Association for the Rescuing of Japanese Kidnapped
by North Korea distributed questionnaires to all 722 members of the
Diet yesterday to find out what they think about the government's
plan to partially lift the economic sanctions it has imposed on
North Korea. Setting the deadline for July 23, the groups expect to
announce the survey result on the 28th if possible.

The questions probe: (1) the proper timing for the removal of
economic sanctions; and (2) the propriety of placing additional
sanctions on the North if its reinvestigation does not repatriate
more abductees. Respondents must sign their names.

In the Japan-North Korea working-level talks in June, North Korea
promised to reinvestigate the abduction issue. The Japanese
government at that time said that it would partially lift its

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economic sanctions, but this provoked opposition from the families'
association, who insisted that Japan should not lift the sanctions
until all abductees come home.

In a press conference, Teruaki Masumoto, director general of the
families' association, stated: "We would like to convey our view
about sanctions (to lawmakers through the questionnaire). We want to
notify the people of our view that it is still premature to remove
the sanctions."

12) South Korean ambassador: "Presidential visit to Japan in
September may be difficult" due to Takeshima issue

MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
July 18, 2008

(Akiko Horiyama, Seoul)

South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun, who has temporarily
returned home in protest of Japan's decision to refer to the
disputed Takeshima islets (Dokdo islets in South Korean) in a
teaching guideline for middle schools, responded to an interview
request from the Japanese media yesterday.

Upon saying that this was his personal view, Kwon indicated that
unless Japan took proper measures, it would be difficult for
President Lee Myung-bak to visit Japan for a bilateral summit
planned for September in Tokyo. He said:

"I wonder if our people would agree to a visit to Japan by the
President. I am negative about his going unless Japan takes
corrective measures."

In reference to cooperation between Japan and South Korea at the
six-party talks, Kwon indicated that the bilateral relations could
become strained, remarking: "(South Korea) has expressed its
understanding of Japan's position on the issue of abductions (of
Japanese nationals by North Korean agents),but I cannot predict
whether (bilateral relations) will end up on the rocks in the
future."

Asked about when he plans to return to his post in Japan, Kwon
replied with a look of disappointment: "I do not want to go back.
Now that the relationship of trust between Japan and South Korea has
collapsed, I cannot see what I should do."

13) Government, companies trying to lure Middle Eastern nations'
government- affiliated investment funds

ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
July 18, 2008

Moves to lure into the Japanese market the rich oil money of Middle
Eastern nations are accelerating due to the steep rise in crude oil
prices. An increasing number of companies are dispatching missions
to the Middle East. The government has also sought investment in
Japan from Middle Eastern countries by dispatching Finance Minister
Nukaga to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries. The
government is desperate to receive investments in Japan by Middle
Eastern funds that would serve as a boost for the domestic economy.

Nukaga, who visited the UAE on July 16, met with an official of the

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government-affiliated fund Abu Dhabi Investment Council and the UAE
state minister for financial affairs and encouraged UAE investment
in Japan. There reportedly was a positive response with one high
official saying, "Japan's real estate market is attractive. We are
interested in it."

The Finance Minister visited Kuwait on the 17th and urged investment
in Japan in a meeting with Prime Minister Nasser. Nasser. The Prime
MInister replied, "At present, our investment in Japan stands at 15
billion dollars (approximately 1.6 trillion yen). We want to
extensively increase this amount."

Middle Eastern nations' government-affiliated investment funds were
established for the purpose of their managing huge amounts of
foreign currencies gained from exports of crude oil, etc. They are
trying to increase their assets by investing in foreign stocks,
bonds, and real estate.

According to resources and finance department chief Maeda of the
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC),Middle Eastern
countries' government funds tend to invest from a long-term
perspective and do not interfere in corporate management. They can
thus become stable stockholders.

There are about 40 government-affiliated funds through the world,
including those in the UAE and Kuwait. The total assets held by
those funds are estimated at 2.9 trillion dollars (approximately 305
trillion yen). They have reportedly invested 60 billion dollars in
Asia (approximately 6.3 trillion yen) over the past five years. Half
of that amount has been invested in Japan. However, given the
financial power of those investment funds, there is still tremendous
room for more investment.

European and U.S. investors pulled out of Japan's investment market,
following the subprime mortgage crisis in the U.S. Japanese
companies' stock prices remain sluggish. As such, companies pin high
hopes on Middle Eastern countries' government affiliated investment
funds. An increasing number of Japanese companies are sending
delegates to the Middle East, seeking promising investors.

However, Japan is lagging behind other countries in an approach to
those funds. One senior official of the Finance Ministry visited
Kuwait's Investment Authority to ask for its investment in Japan's
government bonds. A senior official of the KIA said to this Finance
Ministry official, "What is Japan doing? Chinese and South Korean
officials visit us everyday to lure our investment." The briefing
session for investors in the Middle East held that day was only the
second, following the one in April last year. Japan's approach lacks
vigor, compared with other countries' proactive sales activities, as
Nukaga put it.

Another barrier is the Japanese market's allergy to foreign capital.
Japan regulated foreign capital when a British fund tried to
increase its stake in J-Power. The incident has given the impression
that the Japanese market is closed.

Moves to look into a system for expanding investment in Japan have
also appeared in the government. Concerning restrictions in
investment in areas related to state security, such as electric
power, Nukaga in a speech given in June referred to the possibility
of creating a rule that would bar discriminating between domestic
and foreign investors. The aim is to open the market to foreign

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investors under the same conditions as those attached to domestic
investors and make it serve as a trigger for investment by
government-affiliated investment funds.

Maeda of the JBIC said, "It is unlikely for government-affiliated
funds to turn into "vocal investors." He pointed out that the
challenge is for Japan to tide over its allergy to foreign capital.

14) Coordination for Putin visit to Japan in December

YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
July 18, 2008

The Japanese and Russian governments have entered the final stage of
coordination on the timing of the visit to Japan of Prime Minister
Putin, centering on late December. Since Prime Minister Putin
continues to have great foreign-policy influence even after the
inauguration of President Medvedev, he is seen as an important
official who holds the key to resolving the northern territories
issue, and it would appear that when he comes to Japan, the focus
will be on whether progress is achieved. During the Japan-Russia
summit meeting that took place on the sidelines of the Hokkaido
Toyako Summit, there was general agreement that Putin would visit in
the latter half of the year.

15) Tokyo prosecutors likely to file charges against former PCI
executives for bribing Vietnamese official over acceptance of 90
million yen order

MAINICHI (Top Play) (Excerpts)
July 18, 2008

It has been learned that former executives of Pacific Consultants
International (PCI, in Tama City, Tokyo) are strongly suspected of
handing a total of 800,000 dollars (approximately 90 million yen) to
a senior Ho Chi Minh City official in 2003 and 2006 in return for
the acceptance of orders for projects regarding official development
assistance (ODA) in Vietnam. The special investigation squad of the
Tokyo Public Prosecutors Office appears to have decided to file
charges against former PCI executives on suspicion of violating the
unfair competition prevention law, which prohibits bribery of
foreign public officials, after increasing the number of prosecutors
in charge of the case as early as next week.

The special investigative task force asked Vietnamese judicial
authorities for cooperation through diplomatic channels. Japanese
prosecutors have then conducted investigations in Vietnam. In the
presence of the prosecutors, the Vietnamese authorities seem to have
taken testimony from the senior Ho Chi Minh City official, who
allegedly received the money.

16) Prime Minister Fukuda's staying at a hotel, accompanied by
private secretary, causes speculation about cabinet shuffle

MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
July 18, 2008

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 17, the second day of his summer
vacation, stayed overnight at a Tokyo hotel with his wife Kiyoko.
Staying at the same hotel was Fukuda's private secretary. Although
the explanation for the private secretary being there was said to be
for personal reasons, with rumors flying about regarding the

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possibility of a cabinet shuffle, the hotel stay caused speculation
in political circles that there might be secret meetings late at
night or early in morning.

The Prime Minister, wearing a sports jacket and necktie-less shirt,
around evening left his private residence with his wife to check
into a hotel. His private secretary on duty, accompanied by his
wife, met them there and the four had dinner, staying in the
restaurant one hour after closing. One Liberal Democratic Party
lawmaker nervously said, "Perhaps he was too unsettled to stay at
either the official or the private residence."

17) Ruling camp floats suggestion to put off convening extra Diet
session to mid-September

MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
July 18, 2008

The suggestion was floated yesterday in the ruling coalition parties
of postponing the convocation of the next extraordinary Diet session
from late August, the timing that the government is considering, to
the middle of September, according to several senior members of the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The reason is that many
ruling camp members are concerned that if the extra session is
convened soon, the government and the ruling bloc will come under
fire from the opposition camp for a number of issues including
soaring oil prices. Such a situation consequently would be used by
the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in its
presidential election, which will be announced Sept. 8. The
expectation is that Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will make a final
decision on the matter, as well as on a possible cabinet shuffle,
after his summer vacation ends on the 21st.

A senior member of the LDP Upper House Diet Affairs Committee
stressed yesterday: "If the extra session is convened in late
August, we will be just attacked by the opposition. I think it is
better to hold off until September." One of the four LDP executive
members also said on July 16: "The convocation of the extra session
will probably be delayed to sometime beyond late August." Another
senior LDP member pointed out: "It is necessary to closely watch all
possible aspects, including the DPJ presidential election." The
ruling coalition's views have already been conveyed to Fukuda.

The government will submit to the next extra Diet session a bill to
extend the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, which allows
Japan to conduct refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, since the
law will expire next January. However, since the DPJ may not respond
to deliberations on the bill in the House of Councillors, the ruling
camp is determined that it is necessary to secure 60 days to enable
it to enact the bill under the constitutional rule that the Lower
House decision stands even if the Upper House disagrees or fails to
take action within 60 days. Since discussion of drastic tax reform
will be carried out in December, the ruling camp has been
considering a timetable for the extra session from late August to
late November.

18) Government considering putting off submission of supplementary
budget bill to extraordinary Diet session to avoid attacks from
opposition camp

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
July 18, 2008

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The government and the ruling parties have started considering the
possibility of dealing with the supplementary budget for fiscal 2008
at the outset of the regular Diet session to be convened in January
next year, instead of submitting it to the extraordinary session.
The aim is to stave off a clash with the opposition camp. Another
plan to delay the timing for convening the extraordinary Diet
session from late August as originally planned to September or later
has also surfaced. The New Komeito is seeking a postponement of the
submission of a bill extending the law on refueling operations in
the Indian Ocean, which expires in the middle of January next year.

Do it in the regular Diet session

The secretaries general and Diet Affairs Committee chairmen of the
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito held a meeting at
a Tokyo hotel on July 17. They shared the view that fiscal resources
to address the soaring crude oil prices and natural disasters should
be secured in principle in the initial budget for this fiscal year.
Hidehisa Otsuji, head of the LDP caucus in the Upper House, said,
"It is desirable to deal with the supplementary budget during the
regular Diet session next year." A senior official of the Diet
Policy Committee of the LDP also said, "It is difficult to do so
during the extraordinary Diet session."

Behind their view is concern about the opposition camp launching an
offensive in the extraordinary Diet session. If they submit the
supplementary budget bill, it would necessitate holding Budget
Committee sessions both in the Upper and Lower Houses, in which
Prime Minister Fukuda is supposed to attend, giving opposition
parties to chance to pursue the issue of pension record errors.

Mapping out measures to address the steep rise in crude oil prices
is a pressing issue. If they are to be implemented before year's
end, it would be too late to earmark budgetary funds for them in the
supplementary budget. Funds will have to be drawn from reserve funds
(350 billion yen) in the original budget. Some ruling party members
are still insisting that fiscal resources for measures to expand
domestic demand and to reduce the burden of medical expenses paid by
the elderly should be earmarked in the supplementary budget.

The government is also considering convening the extraordinary Diet
session in September as usual. This is a measure to cope with the
DPJ. Regarding a bill extending the law on refueling operations in
the Indian Ocean, the focal point of a battle between the ruling and
opposition camps, the ruling parties do not want the opposition camp
to be alarmed that the ruling parties are trying to forcibly adopt
the bill once again in the Lower House, using the 60-day rule.

ZUMWALT