JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/25/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 002323 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/25/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's weekend, daily schedules (Nikkei) Defense & security issues: 4) GOJ mulling antipiracy legislation (Yomiuri) 5) Nagasaki Prefecture asks GOJ to step up U.S. nuclear sub radiation leak monitoring (Mainichi) 6) Defense Ministry to release white paper, drawing attention to wording for disputed islets (Nikkei) 7) Defense Ministry earmarks 95 billion yen for F-15 upgrade due to delay in FX selection (Nikkei) 8) GOJ to overhaul Japan's defense plan (Nikkei) Japan in action: 9) Japan, Australia to work together on all nuclear powers for nuclear disarmament (Nikkei) 10) Japan's initiative with Australia for nuclear disarmament aimed at urging China to exercise self-restraint (Nikkei) China & North Korea ties: 11) Now that Beijing Olympics is over, Japan to gear up talks with China for progress on bilateral issues (Nikkei) 12) North Korea likely to start probe into abductions this month (Tokyo Shimbun) Political & economic issues: 13) Diplomatic calendar filled for Prime Minister Fukuda (Mainichi) 14) Foreign Minister Koumura suggests need for Japan to continue refueling mission in Indian Ocean (Tokyo Shimbun) 15) LDP to draft manifesto in November for election (Nikkei) 16) GOJ eyeing 8-trillion-yen stimulus package (Yomiuri) 17) Justice Ministry eyes bills for lawsuits against foreign businesses (Tokyo Shimbun) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun and Akahata: Beijing Olympics end, baton passes to London Nikkei: Japanese firms boost use of recycled materials due to soaring material costs 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) China must take steps toward political reform after Olympics (2) Russia must completely withdraw from Georgia Mainichi: (1) Baton passed to London (2) China must embody harmony Yomiuri: (1) Olympic baton must pass to next generation (2) Test begins with end of Olympics TOKYO 00002323 002 OF 008 Nikkei: (1) Beijing Olympics reflected China at turning point Sankei: (1) Foreign nurses: System must be reviewed based on reality (2) Law enforcement: Steady efforts needed Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Hopes for a more open China after Olympics (2) Are lavish Olympics necessary? Akahata: (1) Be prepared for torrential rains 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, August 22 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 23, 2008 09:30 Met at the Kantei with Finance Minister Ibuki, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. Joined by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nikai. 10:01 Attended a cabinet meeting. Later, attended a meeting of the Drug Abuse Prevention Office. 10:27 Met Ibuki, Nikai, Yosano, and Machimura. Followed by Defense Minister Hayashi. 11:26 Met Secretary General Aso and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Oshima. Joined by Machimura. Machimura stayed behind. 12:26 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretaries Shionoya and Iwaki. 14:30 Met Public Security Intelligence Agency Director General Yanagi. 15:02 Met former LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa and former Agriculture Minister Shimamura, supreme advisors of the LDP's action policy study group to revive shopping districts, Lower House member Kiyoshi Nakano, chairman of the group, and others. Nakagawa stayed behind. Followed by Yosano. Later met Foreign Ministry's International Cooperation Bureau Director General Kitera and African Affairs Bureau Director General Akimoto. 15:49 Met Nikai, former Defense Agency Director General Aichi, and former National Public Safety Commission Chairman Izumi. 16:06 Met Special Assistant Ito. Followed by Machimura. Later met Yosano and Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka. TOKYO 00002323 003 OF 008 17:40 Met Shinichi Shogenji, the agriculture department head of the University of Tokyo. 18:37 Met Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Bessho. 19:23 Returned to his official residence. Prime Minister's schedule, August 23 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 24, 2008 Spent the morning at his official residence. 14:16 Met Tokyo University Professor Yoshikawa, chairman of the Social Security National Conference. Prime Minister's schedule, August 24 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 25, 2008 Spent all day at his official residence. 4) Government eyes antipiracy legislation YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 23, 2008 The government decided on Aug. 22 to introduce new legislation to clamp down on piracy and other illegal activities by foreign-flagged vessels on the high seas. The government specifically plans to submit a bill to revise the penal code or a bill to establish a new law to an ordinary Diet session possibly next year. Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, signatories are allowed to crack down on piracy on the open sea. The government plans to take this step to increase the security of sea lanes. 5) Nagasaki calls for enhanced system to monitor U.S. nuclear-powered vessels in wake of submarine's radiation leak MAINICHI (Page 24) (Full) August 23, 2008 In the wake of the leak of radiation by the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Houston, Nagasaki Gov. Genjiro Kaneko requested on Aug. 22 the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to tighten the system to monitor the amounts of radiation at Sasebo port in the prefecture which is visited by U.S. Navy nuclear-powered vessels. The petition calls for the establishment of additional radiation monitoring posts in the southern area of Sasebo port which has often been visited by U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in recent years, while pointing out that the leaks of radioactive substances TOKYO 00002323 004 OF 008 for two years are unacceptable. Upon receiving the petition from Keinosuke Tanaka, chief of the Nagasaki governor's office, MEXT Nuclear Safety Division Director Shinnichi Kuroki said: "Although we think the current setup is sufficient, we are considering whether to seek funding for the additional monitoring posts." 6) Government to announce defense white paper for 2008; Description of Takeshima likely to draw attention NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 25, 2008 The annual White Paper on Defense, or the Defense of Japan, is a report on the security environment surrounding Japan and the organizational system of the Self-Defense Forces. Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is expected to report on the 2008 version of the Defense of Japan to a cabinet meeting on Sept. 5. The 2008 version includes a new chapter on reform of the Defense Ministry and also touches on China's use of space and its growing missile force and the intensifying activities of the Russian military backed by the economic boom. The report also explains a permanent law governing the overseas dispatch of the SDF, a highlight in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session. The description of Takeshima -- a group of islets known as Dokdo in South Korea, claimed by both Japan and South Korea -- is also likely to draw attention. Since the 2005 version, the Defense of Japan has specified: "The questions of sovereignty over the Northern Territories and Takeshima, both Japan's inherent territories, remains unsettled." The government plans to follow this policy direction in the 2008 version as well. The matter is likely to draw fire from South Korea, which has fiercely reacted to the reference of Takeshima in Japan's new educational guidelines for school teachers. 7) Defense Ministry to request 95 billion yen for upgrading F-15s NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) August 25, 2008 The Defense Ministry has decided to incorporate in its 2009 budgetary request some 95 billion yen for upgrading the Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 mainstay fighter jets, including their radar systems. The funding covers the upgrading of 22 F-15s and the procurement of components for additional 38 F-15s to be used in the future. Although the numbers exceed those specified in the Midterm Defense Buildup Program up to fiscal 2009, the ministry has concluded the funding indispensable in order to maintain the country's air defense capability, given the delay in determining the next-generation mainstay fighter (FX). As successors to some 90 F-4 fighters, the ministry planned to procure the first seven FXs in fiscal 2009. But that will be slipped to the next Midterm Defense Program that stars in fiscal 2010. Similarly, the ministry will drop the planned purchase in fiscal 2009 of next-generation cargo planes (CX) and of the Ground Self-Defense Force's AH-64D helicopters due to the delay in development and high price tags. TOKYO 00002323 005 OF 008 The budgetary request totals 4.8449 trillion yen, up 2.2 PERCENT from last year's initial budget. The increase is largely attributable to skyrocketing fuel costs. 8) Government to fundamentally review National Defense Program Guidelines earlier than scheduled with China, North Korea in mind NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) August 22, 2008 The government has decided to drastically revise the National Defense Program Outlines (NDPG) that specifies Japan's basic security policy. In addition to reformulating the defense strategy in view of changes in the international situation, such as China's military buildup and expectations for the Self-Defense Forces' international contributions, the government has decided to review the NDPG earlier than initially planned in order to have Defense Ministry reform reflected in the outlines in the wake of a string of inappropriate conducts by ministry officials. The government plans to set up an experts' council at the Prime Minister's Office this fall for a cabinet decision at the end of 2009. The NDPG will be reviewed along with a revision of the Midterm Defense Buildup Program (FY2010 - FY2014). Its new version is likely to show strong concerns over the situations in neighboring countries, such as China's defense spending, which has been showing a two-digit year-on-year increase, the unclear future of North Korea's planned abandonment of its nuclear weapons, and Russia's intensifying activities from the economic boom. 9) Japan to call on all nuclear powers for nuclear arms reduction NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) August 24, 2008 The government has decided to submit a resolution calling for "all nuclear powers" to reduce their nuclear weapons to the United Nations General Assembly session, which will begin in late September. Since all the recognized nuclear powers -- the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia -- except China have made efforts for nuclear arms reduction in some fashion, the resolution is effectively aimed at China. The expectation is that the motion will be adopted by a majority, as the Group of Eight (G-8) members will likely support it. 10) Japan to submit to UNGA resolution calling for arms reduction in order to urge China NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 24, 2008 Commentary Japan will submit to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session a resolution calling for all nuclear powers to reduce their nuclear weapons. The purpose of Japan's decision is to urge China, which has continued its military buildup, to exercise restraint by involving the other nuclear powers -- the United States, Britain, France and Russia. However since UNGA resolutions, different from sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council, have no binding force, the resolution's influence over China, North Korea and Iran would be limited. TOKYO 00002323 006 OF 008 The resolutions Japan has submitted to the UN every year calling for eliminating nuclear weapons have been adopted by a majority. The aim of Japan's resolution this time is to send a strong message to China. 11) Government to urge China to make progress on dumplings food poisoning issue NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 25, 2008 Following the end of the Beijing Olympics, the government intends to urge again the Chinese government to make progress as early as possible on such pending bilateral issues as the Chinese-made frozen dumplings food poisoning issue and the exploration of gas fields in the East China Sea. Tokyo will call on Beijing to continue dialogue with the Dalai Lama's side so that the human rights in Tibet will not backslide even after the end of the Beijing Olympics. It was learned in early August that gyoza dumpling poisonings had occurred in China. According to a source familiar with Japan-China diplomacy, Foreign Minister Koumura, during his China visit last week, persistently asked his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi and other Chinese leaders to provide Japan with information on the dumpling poisoning issue. Tokyo intends to speed up cooperation on China's investigations into the issue in order to shed light on it. Although Tokyo and Beijing reached a basic agreement in June on the joint development of gas fields, the move has been put on hold because of China's reasons such as public opposition on the Web. Japan aims to initiate negotiations on specifics as the Olympics are now over. The government has welcomed the resumption in July of dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama's side and it expects the situation will change for the better by continuing the dialogue. However, there is a view in the government that the Chinese government held the dialogue with the Dalai Lama's side in an attempt to show the world its efforts to improve the human rights in Tibet in consideration of the Olympics, according to the source familiar with Japan-China diplomacy. 12) North Korea may start reinvestigation into abductions this month TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Excerpts) August 23, 2008 It was learned yesterday that North Korea had conveyed to Japan its plan to start the reinvestigation of its abductions of Japanese nationals probably before the end of August. Japan and North Korea have agreed at working-level talks that Pyongyang will reinvestigate its abductions. The Japanese government will lift restrictions on North Korean visits and charter flights between the two countries once North Korea begins the reinvestigation. However, it is uncertain whether the reinvestigation will lead to the discovery of Japanese abductees and their return home, to which Japan has been attaching top priority. TOKYO 00002323 007 OF 008 13) Tight diplomatic schedule for Fukuda might affect length of Diet session MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 25, 2008 In the upcoming extraordinary Diet session, heated debate is expected between the ruling and opposition camps over a bill designed to extend the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law beyond its expiration next January. But the diplomatic schedule for Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is tightly packed. Preparations are now underway for Japan to hold a Japan-China-South Korea summit in Kobe on Sept. 21. Some overseas trips have also been planned. These trips by Fukuda will inevitably affect the timetable for deliberations on the antiterrorism bill and may also affect the haggling over the length of the Diet session in the ruling parties. Major diplomatic events this year Sept. 12? Convocation of extraordinary diet session Sept. 21? Japan-China-South Korea summit (Japan) Sept. 23 ~ UN General Assembly (New York) Oct. 24-25 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) (Beijing) Nov. 22-23 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum (Lima) Dec. 15-17 East Asia Summit, etc. (Bangkok) 14) Refueling should be continued: Koumura TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) August 25, 2008 Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura attended a meeting yesterday in Nagano Prefecture's Karuizawa Town, where he, referring to the issue of whether Japan should continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, said Japan cannot obtain the international community's understanding if Japan pulls out of its activities there. "Japan is constitutionally not allowed to conduct maritime intercept operations," Koumura said. "But instead," he added, "Japan is providing fuel and water to foreign vessels." 15) LDP to prepare manifesto by November for election NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 25, 2008 The Liberal Democratic Party's National Strategy Office, headed by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, decided yesterday to set up a mid- to long-term vision compilation committee this week to have it compile a draft manifesto that includes mid- to long-term policy measures for the next House of Representatives election by November. The new panel will appoint 21 deputy heads mainly from among those who once served as cabinet ministers. 16) Government to finalize economic package worth 8 trillion yen by end of August YOMIURI (Page 1) (Excerpt) August 23, 2008 TOKYO 00002323 008 OF 008 The government yesterday unveiled a draft plan for comprehensive economic measures that the government and the ruling camp plan to finalize by the end of this month. The draft package includes measures worth approximately 8 trillion yen to help small businesses raise funds; subsidize fishermen now being affected by the recent sharp rise in fuel prices; and to save energy. The government will start full-scale talks with the ruling parties next week, aiming at finalizing the package by the end of August. 17) Justice Ministry to set rules on civil suits against foreign firms TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Excerpts) August 25, 2008 The Justice Ministry decided yesterday to draw up a new bill that sets rules for civil suits in Japanese court against foreign firms. The ministry has already started legal preparations for lawsuits against foreign governments. Justice Minister Okiharu Yasuoka plans to submit the two bills to the Legislative Council on Sept. 3 to seek its advice. The ministry will step up efforts to establish legal systems to deal with international problems that are increasing recently as a result of the rapid integration of the global economy. In dealing with international civil cases, courts have so far made judgments based on precedent. Under the current system, whether a trial will be held in Japan or in the country of the defendant is unknown until the suit is actually filed. In cases where the trial is held in the country of the defendant, the plaintiff has to bear a heavy financial burden. The Justice Ministry intends to submit the new legislation involving foreign governments to the ordinary Diet session next year and the one involving foreign firms to the 2010 ordinary session. ZUMWALT