JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/08/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/08/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) War on terror: U.S. expects Japan to pick up a portion of Afghan war costs to the tune of an estimated $20 billion over five years (Nikkei) North Korea problem: 4) Special envoy Sung Kim to brief Japanese officials today on recent U.S.-DRPK talks (Yomiuri) 5) U.S. may have compromised with North Korea during Assistant Secretary Hill's Pyongyang visit to get agreement on inspections (Sankei) 6) Japan to seek at G-7 meeting U.S. commitment to inject public money by end of month in order to free up capital (Yomiuri) Diet affairs: 7) Prime Minister Aso eager to pass new anti-terrorist bill allowing MSDF refueling mission to continue (Yomiuri) 8) Prime Minister in Diet replies skirts the issue of Yasukuni Shrine (Yomiuri) 9) Supplementary budget to pass the Lower House (Asahi) 10) Democratic Party of Japan to approve passage of the supplementary budget (Tokyo Shimbun) 11) Aso orders drafting of an additional economic package by the end of the month that will include tax cut for capital investment (Yomiuri) 12) Diet dissolution schedule is up in the air (Tokyo Shimbun) 13) Anxiety over the financial crisis has changed the political equation in the Diet (Tokyo Shimbun) 14) Aso tells Shizuka Kamei of the People's New Party that he has been "reading to many gossipy weeklies" when talking about Komeito-Soka Gakkai relations (Yomiuri) 15) DPJ President Ozawa's in question; He is hospitalized with sore-throat symptoms (Sankei) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, and Tokyo Shimbun: 3 Japanese scientists win Nobel Prizes in Physics Akahata: Chairman Shii calls for amendments to Worker Dispatch Law in Lower House Budget Committee session 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Three Japanese scientists win Nobel Prizes in physics (2) Prime Minister Aso must answer questions earnestly Mainichi: (1) Nobel Prizes encourage basic research (2) Worldwide stock plunge: U.S., European nations urged to employ every possible means TOKYO 00002802 002 OF 010 Yomiuri: (1) Enough economic talk, it's time for tough action (2) Nobel Prize: Effort and reform necessary for fostering scientists Nikkei: (1) Universal stock plunge: U.S. and European countries must eliminate root cause of financial crisis (2) Latent power of particle research demonstrated by Nobel Prize winners Sankei: (1) Nobel Prize winners prove latent strength of theoretical research in Japan (2) Japanese, U.S. stock markets tumble: G7 must come up with solid measures Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Three scientists win Nobel Prizes (2) Nikkei dips below 10,000 mark Akahata: (1) Large companies must improve work environment 3) Afghanistan war costs: U.S. expects Japan to share up to 20 billion dollars over five years NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) October 8, 2008 Nihon Keizai Shimbun learned on October 7 that the Washington has conveyed to Tokyo its expectations for Japan to share up to 20 billion dollars (approximately 2 trillion yen) of part of military assistance costs to Afghanistan, where public security is worsening. Japan was sounded out because it was deemed difficult for it to make personnel contributions in mainland Afghanistan for the time being. The U.S. government therefore has approached Japan about the possibility of it expanding its contribution in terms of providing funds as an alternative measure. The issue of shouldering funds used for the stabilization of Afghanistan and the continuation of refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will likely surface as challenges to Japan. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Central Asia Wilkes conveyed this request by the U.S. to Japan, when he visited Japan in late July. Prior to this, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda during his talks with President Bush in early July had explained Japan's position of finding it difficult to dispatch Self-Defense Forces personnel to mainland Afghanistan. Wilkes was sent to Japan in such a context. Twenty billion dollars is equivalent to approximately 150 PERCENT of what Japan contributed in funds to the Gulf war effort in 1991. Wilkes during talks with the Japanese government asked for the continuation of the refueling mission by the SDF. As aid activities sought from Japan in Afghanistan he cited logistical support for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF),participation in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and transporting goods by transport planes and helicopters. He expressed U.S. expectations for increased funding in the event of Japan finding it difficult to make personnel contributions in those areas. TOKYO 00002802 003 OF 010 Military assistance expenses, which Wilkes had referred to, appear to include the reinforcement of Afghanistan's own military forces. However, it is not necessarily clear whether the U.S. is hoping that Japan will shoulder the full amount. That is because there is the possibility that it has asked other countries that are not dispatching troops to Afghanistan to share the expenses. Wilkes' request to Japan was reportedly endorsed by President Bush. Japan has kept the request pending in part due to the recent cabinet replacement. It is likely that the U.S. will once again make a similar request, now that the Aso cabinet is now in full swing. 4) Sung Kim to visit to Tokyo today to report on U.S.-DPRK talks YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) October 8, 2008 U.S. special envoy for the six-party talks Sung Kim will visit Japan today to brief the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki on the details of the talks between the United States and North Korea on the verification procedure of the North's nuclear report, according to government sources yesterday. The U.S.-DPRK talks were held in Pyongyang on Oct. 1-3 between U.S Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan. 5) N. Korea's agreement needed for inspections; U.S. gives way, soon to delist N. Korea as terror backer SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) October 8, 2008 U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill, chief U.S. delegate to the six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear weapons program, visited North Korea on Oct. 1 and reached a basic agreement with his North Korean counterpart on procedures to verify North Korea's nuclear facilities. One of the agreed procedures is that the United States and other six-party members need North Korea's concurrence when inspecting its nuclear facilities. The United States made the concession since North Korea threatened to resume its nuclear facilities' operation. The United States has so far demanded spot inspections over North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs. "It's very regrettable, but the United States will shortly delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism," a government source said yesterday in connection with the basic agreement reached between the United States and North Korea with the U.S. having made such a concession. The United States has now given way to North Korea. What lies behind this is that President Bush's term of office is to end in January. "The Bush administration wants to give some kind of shape to the situation within its term," a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said. Hill reported the basic agreement in detail to Secretary of State Rice yesterday. With Rice's approval, Sung Kim, the special envoy to the six-party talks who is now staying in Seoul, was to have visited Japan yesterday to convey details about the agreement to Japan as well. However, his visit to Japan has been postponed "probably because the U.S. government was taking time to go through procedures or otherwise the agreement was still being discussed within the U.S. TOKYO 00002802 004 OF 010 administration," according to a Foreign Ministry source. 6) Japan at G-7 to call on U.S. to inject public money YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) October 8, 2008 A meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven Nations (G-7) is to be held in Washington starting on October 10. The likelihood is now Japan will urge the U.S. to inject public money into ailing financial institutions. Its judgment is that in order to calm the financial crisis, which has spread across the world, it is inevitable to inject as quickly as possible public money into those financial institutions that have triggered the havoc. The global economy is clearly slowing down, compared with the time when the previous G-7 meeting was held in April. G-7 members will likely share a sense of crisis toward the present state of the world economy, for the financial crisis is beginning to have an adverse effect on the real economy. The G-7 will focus on talks on measures to stabilize the international financial market, where tension is increasingly mounting, triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, a leading U.S. investment bank. Member nations are expected to reach an agreement to strengthen cooperation over the continuation of a measure to supply dollars to assist leading financial institutions' cash management. The EU is pressing ahead with the nationalization of financial institutions with public money. Japan along with European members will insist on the need for the U.S. to inject public funds into financial institutions at an early date in order to help them reinforce their capital. Proposals for strengthening cooperation among G-7 member nations will include: 1) determining a system of monitoring the financial soundness of leading financial institutions in the world and their cash management; 2) verifying the effects of the supply of a total of 620 billion dollars carried out by leading central banks of member nations and looking into additional measures; and 3) verifying financial system stabilization measures taken by various countries, including the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of the U.S. and European countries' public money injection measures. In this connection, Prime Minister Aso on the evening of the 7th met at the Kantei with Finance Minister and State Minister for Financial Policy Nakagawa and Central Bank Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, who will take part in the G-7. He ordered them to explain Japan's experience of having tided over the crisis with capital reinforcement using public money in the 1990s, saying, "I would like you to send a message to the world, based on Japan's experience." Aso apparently intends to call on the U.S. to take a similar approach. The U.S. during the meeting asked Shirakawa: "The present situation could affect the real economy. I want you to exert all-out efforts to stabilize the financial market." State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Yosano was also present at the meeting. Emerging from the meeting, the prime minister told reporters, "The G-7 is drawing attention for the first time in a long while. It means that the world is experiencing a high crisis awareness regarding the current financial crisis." 7) Premier eyes passing antiterror bill TOKYO 00002802 005 OF 010 YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) October 8, 2008 The fiscal 2008 supplementary budget, one of Prime Minister Aso's top priorities, is expected to clear the Diet on Oct. 16. As it stands, the focus of the political situation will now be on when to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election. The government has now introduced a legislative measure amending the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law in order for Japan to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, and the prime minister wants the legislation passed. However, it is still unclear whether the Diet will enter into deliberations on the bill. In addition, the economic situation is also showing even more difficult aspects. The prime minister will carefully explore timing for a snap election, with an eye to Nov. 16 or a later date, while keeping tabs on the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto). The prime minister attended a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting yesterday, during which he indicated that he would like to focus on Japan's international contributions toward the general election for the House of Representatives through Diet deliberations. DPJ President Ozawa is opposed to continuing the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as "unconstitutional." The prime minister apparently wants to make it a campaign issue in the general election by clearly differentiating his policy stance from Ozawa's over the war on terror and Japan-U.S. relations. If the DPJ votes against the antiterror bill in the House of Councillors at an early date, the bill will likely be passed in October with the House of Representatives' second vote overriding the upper chamber's decision. In that case, the prime minister can dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election in mid-November or in late November. Meanwhile, the prime minister stated before the House of Representatives Budget Committee yesterday that Japan's economy is even more difficult than it was when the supplementary budget was compiled. With this, the prime minister underscored his intention to tackle additional economic stimulus measures. "I cannot say that I have fulfilled my role until we win the battle with the DPJ in the general election for the House of Representatives." With this, in his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election last month the prime minister had implied his intention to dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap election at an early date. In the aftermath of the recent international financial crisis, however, the prime minister has prioritized economic pump-priming measures over an early snap election for the House of Representatives. The prime minister eyes dissolving the House of Representatives for a general election within the year. One possible scenario in that case-according to an LDP lawmaker-is that the prime minister will dissolve the House of Representatives with a campaign pledge to implement large-scale economic stimulus measures. The LDP recently probed the nation's electorate for the House of Representatives. But the LDP is said to have found that it was TOKYO 00002802 006 OF 010 delicate whether the ruling coalition can secure a majority of the seats. One LDP executive has voiced concern: "It's a minus to dissolve the House of Representatives under such economic circumstances. The economy is in a slump, so we will get scolding." Some LDP lawmakers are beginning to say it is desirable to put off the general election until early next year. Meanwhile, the New Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, is now gearing up for the general election, with an eye on a date in early November for voting and vote-counting. "It's desirable to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election within the year at the latest," one New Komeito executive said. Concerning the antiterror bill as well, the New Komeito has concurred on taking a second vote in the House of Representatives to enact the bill in case the DPJ votes against it in the House of Councillors in a short time. The prime minister's aides will carefully coordinate with the New Komeito and its backer, Soka Gakkai. 8) Prime minister speaking in Lower House Budget Committee is elusive about visiting Yasukuni Shrine YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) October 8, 2008 Asked in yesterday's Lower House Budget Committee session about the possibility of his paying homage at Yasukuni Shrine during his tenure of office, Prime Minister Taro Aso said: "Right now, I will not answer whether I will go or not." When he was serving as foreign minister, he did not go to the shrine on the August 15 end-of-the-war anniversary. The prime minister made this comment about the situation surrounding Yasukuni Shrine: "The current situation is such that the state is prohibited from respecting those who sacrificed themselves for the country with the highest honor. Such a situation is wrong. The root cause lies in the decision to leave honoring the war dead to one religious corporation." Since from before becoming prime minister, Aso has called Yasukuni Shrine to voluntarily dissolve itself as a religious corporation and shift its functions to a special corporation involving the state. Regarding this fact, Aso said: "There is no other option but for Yasukuni Shrine and the Japan War-Bereaved Association to make a final decision." 9) Supplementary budget to clear the Lower House today ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpt) October 8, 2008 The fiscal 2008 supplementary budget bill will be adopted by the full session of the House of Representatives today and then be sent on to the House of Councilors. This is because the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ, in the directors' meeting of the Lower House Budget Committee yesterday, yesterday agreed to the approval of the budget bill on the 8th in committee and adoption by the Lower House full session later on the same day. The DPJ plans to vote for adoption of the supplementary budget in the Lower House. The ruling parties aim to have the Upper House approve and pass the budget bill by the middle of next week. The DPJ in the Upper House has taken the position of agreeing to passage of the budget from the standpoint that this will spur on an early dissolution of the Diet. TOKYO 00002802 007 OF 010 10) DPJ to approve extra budget bill, aiming to press Aso for early Lower House dissolution TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) October 8, 2008 The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has decided to approve a fiscal 2008 supplementary budget bill, turning around its confrontational stance. The decision stems from the judgment that if the party opposes the bill, it may be subject to public criticism, against the backdrop of the U.S.-triggered financial crisis. The approval is also aimed at urging Prime Minister Aso to act quickly to dissolve the House of Representatives. The main opposition confirmed in its executive meeting yesterday its agreement to take a vote in a meeting of the Lower House Budget Committee and a plenary session today in response to a request by the ruling camp. The DPJ left the decision on the bill entirely to its leader Ichiro Ozawa. Although the DPJ cites the need to deal with the emergency financial situation as the reason for its approval, its ultimate aim is to bring about an early Lower House election. Aso has said that he will give priority to the economic measures over Lower House dissolution. Keeping this in mind, the DPJ judges that once the extra budget bill clears the Diet, the obstacle to the prime minister's decision to dissolve the Lower House will be removed, as a senior DPJ member saying: "We are aiming to make arrangements first and then urge the government to dissolve the Lower House." Aso, however, has also expressed his desire to hold deliberations on a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to enable the Maritime Self-Defense Force to continue its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. It therefore is uncertain whether things will go as the DPJ plans. Given this, some members are suggesting that the party should revert to a confrontational stance in the House of Councillors 11) Government plans to draw up additional economic stimulus measures later this month, including tax breaks on capital investment YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) October 8, 2008 In the wake of the Nikkei Stock Average's huge plunge, Prime Minister Taro Aso decided yesterday to draw up an additional economic stimulus package later this month, following passage of a fiscal 2008 supplementary budget. Given growing economic uncertainty amid the international financial turmoil, the prime minister has recognized the need to expand domestic demand. The package is specifically expected to include tax cuts to encourage corporate capital investment, the extension and expansion of mortgage tax breaks, and flat-sum income tax cuts. The prime minister will order later this week the relevant cabinet ministers to earnestly consider additional measures. Before the Lower House Budget Committee yesterday, the prime minister announced his intention to come up with measures to prop up TOKYO 00002802 008 OF 010 the economy in connection with the U.S.-triggered international financial crisis. He said: "It is as grave as (the Great Depression) of 1929. This time around, European nations are also involved, and it is certain to have a negative impact on Japan. Priority must be given to near-term economic and financial measures." Ahead of the Budget Committee meeting, the prime minister attended an informal cabinet meeting in which he said, "It is going to be necessary to take steps to expand domestic demand, as well." To fund the flat-amount tax cuts, the government will consider using the so-called "buried treasure," such as the reserve fund in the Fiscal Investment and Loan Program special account. Possible additional measures include the expansion of dept guarantee for small and mid-sized companies experiencing difficulty raising funds and expanding the tax breaks for securities. 12) LDP Koga: Timetable for Lower House dissolution is wrapped in fog TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) October 8, 2008 09:00: Prime Minister Aso was engaged in debate with Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Deputy President Naoto Kan, the first questioner in a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. 11:30: Liberal Democratic Party Executive Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa said: "Some in the ruling and opposition camps are calling on the government to dissolve the Lower House for a snap election at an early date before we lose momentum, but it is essential to first deal with the issues that are causing anxiety among the people before dealing with the loss of our momentum. 11:40: LDP Election Committee Chairman Makoto Koga delivered a speech in a party held by Koga faction members. He said: "I feel that the timetable for Lower House dissolution for a snap election is still wrapped in fog." 17:20: DPJ Vice President Katsuya Okada told reporters regarding the party's response to the fiscal 2008 supplementary budget bill: "The bill contains some deficiencies, but we will not take it upon ourselves to oppose the bill." 13) Lower House dissolution still not on the horizon due to financial fears, with some LDP members calling for a prolonged delay TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts) October 8, 2008 With the key Nikkei index dropping to below the 10,000 mark at one point yesterday, the impact of the U.S.-triggered financial crisis is becoming serious in Japan. Under this situation, the view that the dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap election should be significantly delayed from the expected date is gaining influence in the government and the ruling coalition. Liberal Democratic Party's Election Committee Chairman Makoto Koga emphasized yesterday: "Drastic second and third economic packages are needed. We should devote ourselves to mapping out economic TOKYO 00002802 009 OF 010 stimulus measures, rather than discussing the timing for Lower House dissolution for a general election." Koga was calling for an early Lower House dissolution, but even he has begun to say that the government has no choice but to defer Diet dissolution. Prime Minister Aso has decided to come up with additional economic measures after the supplementary budget bill clears the Diet. If the government decides to compile and enact a second extra budget bill, the timing for the general election will be delayed still further. In addition, Aso expressed his desire yesterday to push ahead with deliberations on a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law. The Prime Minister's Office is apparently wishing to delay Lower House dissolution. Some in the ruling camp who have started preparations for election campaigning, eyeing an election in November, were initially irritated at the idea of putting off Diet dissolution. But an increasing number of the lawmakers have begun to accept the prime minister's proposal for prioritizing economic measures over Lower House dissolution, seeing the impact of the financial crisis on the Japanese economy becoming serious. If the Aso government dissolves the Lower House, setting aside the task of working out measures to deal with the financial crisis, and then sees the economic situation worsening, the government will inevitably come under heavy fire. In such a case, that will work as a negative factor for the ruling camp in the Lower House election. Sluggish growth in public support for the Aso administration is also behind the growing calls for postponing the election. The judgment that the government needs a certain amount of time to accumulate positive results by postponing Lower House dissolution is contributing to making more lawmakers believe there is need to put off the election. 14) Prime Minister Aso tells Shizuka Kamei: You spend too much time reading tabloid weeklies YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) October 8, 2008 Shizuka Kamei, deputy chief of the People's New Party, took up the lawsuit filed by former New Komeito chairman Junya Yano against the religious sect Soka Gakkai, the main backer of the New Komeito, at a Lower House Budget Committee session yesterday: He asked Prime Minister Taro Aso: "Is the Soka Gakkai the largest supporter of the Liberal Democratic Party?" Kamei, quoting Yano's remarks, pointed out that the Soka Gakkai carried out election campaigns by using its religious facilities." Aso said: "You may be reading too many weekly magazines." Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito, a New Komeito member, criticized the opposition party for planning to summon Yano to testify as a Diet witness. He said: "The opposition is trying to use the Diet for politics." 15) Anxiety about DPJ President Ozawa being hospitalized with a sore throat SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) TOKYO 00002802 010 OF 010 October 8, 2008 It was learned yesterday that Ichiro Ozawa, president of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),has been hospitalized since late Monday in a Tokyo hospital suffering a sore throat after developing complications from a cold. With the hospitalization of a prime ministerial candidate ahead of a dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election, all eyes are now again being focused on Ozawa's health condition and physical strength. Senior DPJ members were desperate to put a cap on the rumor that Ozawa's health condition was serious. Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama made this comment: "He has had a sore throat with a touch of a cold for a couple of days, but there is no concern about his condition. Whenever the Lower House is dissolved, we will take over the reins of government under the leadership of President Ozawa." Ozawa's aide last night sent an email to DPJ lawmakers. The email wrote: "Since the president has swollen tonsils, he is being put on an IV drip for a rest. He, however, is attending a meeting at 5:00 p.m. He is sorry for making you worry." The aide stressed on the email that Ozawa's health condition was not serious. Soon after 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Ozawa wearing a mask showed up at the entrance door of the hospital and drove off in a car. He was temporarily discharged to attend the meeting. Almost the same time, Ozawa, on the phone, received a report on the party's manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the next Lower House election from Policy Research Committee Chairman Masayuki Naoshima. Ozawa told him: "I understand." Ozawa has weak tonsils. Hiroshi Nakai, former justice minister, said: "Ozawa has a sore throat twice a year. He always says that he can rest himself at the hospital most, since when he is at home or office, he has to meet visitors and reply to phones." Ozawa complained of a soar throat on Sept. 16, when he held talks with People's New Party head Tamisuke Watanuki. After that, he has been busy with his stumping nationwide to pick candidates for the Lower House election, as well with representative interpellations at the Diet. Reportedly he has been in pain more than 20 days. There are no comments on Ozawa's health condition from the ruling parties. However, a senior ruling coalition member said ironically: "Since election campaigning is tough, he should stop for a while for the sake of his health." Meanwhile, a veteran DPJ lawmaker said: "It might be the president's trap to draw about an early Lower House dissolution, making the ruling camp think this is a good chance for it." It is a practice in the political world that even a minor illness is rumored as being serious. A senior DPJ Diet Affairs Committee member telephoned to Ozawa's aide, saying: "The LDP side seems to have circulated a rumor that he is in a serious condition. I want him to attend a Lower House plenary session tomorrow." Ozawa was hospitalized on Sept. 25, 2006, feeling symptoms of angina and discharged on Oct. 5. SCHIEFFER