DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/06/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 11/06/08 INDEX: (1) Japan-U.S. relationship to encounter rough passage; Japan concerned about rift in antiterrorism policy (Asahi) (2) Obama's trade policy expected to incline toward protecting domestic industries (Mainichi) (3) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo on Obama as U.S. president (Tokyo Shimbun) (4) Zenchuro withdraws from Heiwa Center; Resistance to anti-base movement; Gap evident between young members' demand and Center's vision (Ryukyu Shimpo) (5) Second supplementary budget to pump-prime economy: Government, ruling parties unable to decide to which session it should be submitted -- extraordinary session or regular session? (Yomiuri) (6) Experts concerned about bill amending Child Pornography Prevention Law, fearing restrictions on manga, anime, investigating authorities' view reflected in judgment, freedom of expression undermined (Tokyo Shimbun) (7) TOP HEADLINES (8) EDITORIALS (9) Prime Minister's schedule, November 5 (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Japan-U.S. relationship to encounter rough passage; Japan concerned about rift in antiterrorism policy ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) November 6, 2008 In a policy speech, Prime Minister Taro Aso took a stance of placing importance on the United States, by asking the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) -- which should take precedence over the other -- the Japan-U.S. alliance and the United Nations? However, it is not easy for Aso to build a relationship with the government of President-elect Barack Obama. Although Aso intends to make cooperation between Tokyo and Washington in dealing with the global financial crisis the start of the building of the new relationship, the Aso administration has yet to set forth its assistance policy toward Afghanistan. Cooperation between the two countries seems doubtful. With an eye on the launching of the new president's administration, Aso often has sent messages to the United States regarding measures to deal with the global financial crisis. His aim is to cooperate with the new U.S. government by helping the United States revitalize its economy. On Oct. 24 after his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Aso emphasized the need for maintaining the dollar-key currency system, involving China. He said: "Nobody wants to see an abrupt dollar crash and the collapse of the dollar-based currency system." When Iceland's financial crisis surfaced, he pointed out: "Some wonder what will happen to Iceland after its borrowing of money from TOKYO 00003090 002 OF 010 Russia?" After that, he often stressed the importance of support for Iceland by the International Monetary Found (IMF). This was aimed at indirectly supporting the United States, which does not want to see an expansion of Russia's influence. However, whether a personal relationship can be built between Aso and Obama is still unclear. Aso has relatively deep ties to individuals connected with the U.S. Republican Party, but he has few personal contacts with the Democratic Party. Aso's aides tried to grope for the possibility of holding a meeting between Aso and Obama before or after the emergency summit of the Group of Twenty on Nov. ¶15. However, Aso told reporters last night: "Since President George ¶W. Bush will be in office until Jan. 20, I think I should meet (with Obama) after (Jan. 20)." There is a possibility that a rift in foreign policy will widen between Japan and the United States. The Japanese government is focusing on Obama's declaration of a policy of shifting the main battlefield for the war on terror from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan, while advocating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The government has predicted that the U.S. position of calling on its allies for visible contributions will increasingly become stronger. The Japanese government regards the continuation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in the Indian Ocean as the minimum requirement, according to a senior Foreign Ministry official. Government officials in charge of Japan-U.S. security affairs are concerned that Washington's opinion of Tokyo will change if Japan says it cannot send the SDF to either Iraq or Afghanistan, since Japan's Air Self-Defense personnel, now engaging in its mission in Iraq, will withdraw by the end of the year. Even if the MSDF's refueling mission is extended, the United States is certain to ask for shares commensurate with the economic power from countries concerned. The contents of Aso's policy of attaching priority to the Japan-U.S. alliance will be tested soon. The realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, including the relocation of the U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa, will reach a crucial stage. In order to realize the relocation by 2014, on which Japan and the United States have agreed, "It is necessary to put an end to environment impact assessment," said a source familiar with the Foreign Ministry. The Japanese side sees that there is very little difference in views on the U.S. forces realignment between the Republican and Democratic parties. It is certain that the Obama administration will immediately call for "steady implementation" of the realignment. Depending on how Japan responds, the alliance relationship might be shaken. Cooperative relations between the two countries on North Korean issues will likely be completely changed from those under the Bush administration. A senior Foreign Ministry official said that President Bush, who has expressed sympathy for the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, "is Japan's one and only hope." Japan will soon lose that hope. Obama welcomed Bush's decision to delist North Korea as a terrorist-sponsoring state as "progress," while stressing that North Korea needed to answer all questions on Japanese and South Korean abductees. The Aso administration will have to begin with the work TOKYO 00003090 003 OF 010 of having Obama understand the importance of the abduction issue for Japan. The Japanese government sees that Obama will take over the Bush administration's policy toward North Korea. However, many in the government are concerned that if a deep dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang develops, the abduction issue might be put on the back burner. (2) Obama's trade policy expected to incline toward protecting domestic industries MAINICHI (Page 9) (Full) November 6, 2008 Following the victory of Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential election, many observers in Japan anticipate that U.S. trade policy would become more protective of domestic industries. With the Big-Three automakers in financial difficulties due to the fallout from the global financial crisis, Japanese automakers are concerned that Obama, who has been supported by labor unions, might sharpen criticism of Japan. In his campaign speeches, Obama promised to review the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and to have American automakers, not Japanese or South Korean manufacturers, produce hybrid cars. A strong protectionist mood can be detected in his speeches. He has also expressed opposition to free trade agreements (FTA) with South Korea and Colombia, both of which are waiting for approval from the U.S. Congress. Obama has repeatedly criticized the Chinese government, saying: "China should halt its currency manipulation through market intervention, which hampers fair trade." Republican President Bush has been eager to push aggressively for free trade pacts, while the Democratic Party has maintained a strong bias toward protectionism. The new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) global trade talks (Doha Round) collapsed in July as a result of the U.S. and India being divided. Because the U.S. will play a key role in future rounds of the trade talks, attention will be paid to what trade policy Obama will come up with. A senior member of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said: "Now that the global economy is in a critical state, establishing a free-trade structure is common responsibility for the world. I think the U.S. will never allow WTO trade negotiations to retreat." Obama has promised to assist automakers in developing next-generation plug-in hybrid cars as part of efforts to protect the environment by reducing the level of reliance on petroleum. The president-elect has indicated a willingness to support the Big-Three automakers by saying: "I am determined to help them to produce one million domestic cars that can run 65 kilometers with one liter of gasoline by 2015." The three companies have reported poor business results as they significantly lagged behind in competition with Japanese automakers over compact cars. Since the new administration is about to help the three countries bolster their competitiveness with the development of next-generation cars, Japanese firms might be placed under severe circumstances. But Toyota Motor Co. and other Japanese automakers have already contributed to creating jobs in their plants in the U.S., so many observers in Japan expect that trade friction, like the one in the TOKYO 00003090 004 OF 010 1990s, is unlikely to arise. Meanwhile, an executive of a Japanese automakers expressed concern: "A new law advantageous to labor unions might be introduced, and the legislation might lead to raising production costs at our local plants." It is likely to become necessary for Japanese firms to pay attention to future moves by the U.S. government. (3) Interview with Tokyo University Professor Fumiaki Kubo on Obama as U.S. president TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 8) (Abridged) November 6, 2008 -- What will be the extent of the impact on the American society of the election of the first black president? "There are likely some who will evaluate it as no more than a symbolic accomplishment. That is to say, it does not directly resolve the various problems that exist, such as poverty and unemployment that especially affect black Americans. The victory, too, was greatly due to the unusual talents of Obama himself. It does not necessarily mean that he will be followed by a second or a third Obama. "On the other hand, for Americans, there will be a great learning effect. Over the next four years, with Mr. Obama appearing frequently on television, the reality of having a black president will day by day settle in. Black children will be told that if they hang in there, they can even become the president of the United States, so more and more of them will make efforts. The election has great meaning in that it gives a dream to minority groups in America. "White Americans who zealously supported Obama were possessed by the desire for their country not to be seen as a racially prejudiced one, but as a good country. There is also the hope that this will lead to the restoration of a good image of America that was damaged during the eight years of the Bush administration." -- What changes do you see coming in American politics? "The central theme that Obama advocates is the destruction of the wall of hostility between the Republican and Democratic parties. He has been saying that America should not be divided among whites, blacks, Asians, and so forth. America must become a united country. The litmus test will be whether he can cooperate with the Republican Party and pass legislation that will be appreciated by the nation. -- How will relations between Japan and the United States change? "Japan, before thinking about what is best for our country, has the tendency to calculate whether more can be obtained from a Democratic administration or a Republican administration. I think the concept of thinking -- since the U.S. is a precious ally, what should Japan do for it? -- is weak in Japan. "For the Obama administration, the highest priority will be the conflict in Afghanistan. Although Japan's continuing to supply fuel in the Indian Ocean is important, perhaps it would be better to consider cooperation someplace close to the mainland of Afghanistan to establish a sense of presence. Neighboring Pakistan is in dire fiscal straits and does not even have proper public schools. TOKYO 00003090 005 OF 010 Children are going over to Islamic religious schools. Building public schools in Pakistan would be assistance to fight poverty, and at the same time, over the medium to long term, would be an anti-terrorist countermeasure that would be positively evaluated by the U.S. and Britain. (4) Zenchuro withdraws from Heiwa Center; Resistance to anti-base movement; Gap evident between young members' demand and Center's vision RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 1) (Full) November 5, 2008 By Takumi Takimoto The All Japan Garrison Forces Labor Union Okinawa District Headquarters (Zenchurochihon, chaired by Eizo Yonaha, membership 6,500) informed by Nov. 4 the Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center (chaired by Shiko Sakiyama) of its decision to withdraw from the organization. Zenchurochihon has taken part in peace activities as a member of the Center. As reasons to leave the Center, Zenchurochihon explained that there was resistance in the organization regarding the anti-base movement, such as the removal of bases, due to the rejuvenation of its members, and that it has become difficult to obtain their understanding. With the departure of Zenchurochihon, which has promoted the peace movement along with other member organizations, such as the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union (Jichiro) and the teachers' union, the Center's movement promoting the realignment and reduction of U.S. bases would find itself at a turning point. Ever since its decision not to advocate the removal of bases in its 1997 action policy (fiscal 1998),Zenchurochihon has allowed its members to join activities to close in on bases independently rather than taking part in them as the organization. The accumulated strain between the vision of the Heiwa Undou Center calling for the removal of bases and base workers' pragmatic demand not to lose their jobs has now come to light. Deciding at its regular convention on Oct. 25 to withdraw from the Center, Zenchurochihon sent on Oct. 27 a letter to the Center informing its decision. Zenchurochihon will reportedly continue the peace movement as an organization under the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo). Zenchurochihon Secretary-General Hiroshi Zamami said: "If the bases disappear, we will lose our jobs. For about 10 years now, union members have expressing concern about seeking the removal of bases and the realignment of U.S. forces." Meanwhile, Heiwa Undou Center Chairman Sakiyama simply said about Zenchurochihon's withdrawal from the Center: "The decision will be reported at an executive meeting on Nov. 6, and I cannot say anything about it at this point in time." The Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center was established in February 1993 following the movement of the pro-constitution anti-security treaty prefectural council and other organizations with the aim of sending antiwar and peace messages to the world from Okinawa through such experiences as the Battle of Okinawa and U.S. military rule. The Center has been leading the anti-base and peace movement, hosting such events as the May 15 Peace March and the human chain. TOKYO 00003090 006 OF 010 (5) Second supplementary budget to pump-prime economy: Government, ruling parties unable to decide to which session it should be submitted -- extraordinary session or regular session? YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) November 6, 2008 The government and the ruling parties are dithering over whether a second supplementary budget bill, which is designed to finance the government's additional economic stimulus package, should be submitted to the extraordinary Diet session, which is to close on November 30, or to the regular Diet session to be convened in January next year. Whichever session they choose, the opposition camp is bound to oppose the bill. The path to secure Diet approval for the bill as well as related bills is expected to be thorny. Many participants in the staff meeting of the LDP Tsushima faction on November 5th took the view that it is better to close the current session and then convene the regular session early so as to make the Diet session almost year-round. Behind this view is that the negative impact of the delay in passage of the bill on the year-end annual tax code revision and the budget compilation could be minimized if the regular Diet session is convened early next year for deliberations on the second supplementary budget bill and related bills. That is because in the 2007 extraordinary Diet session, the government re-extended the (extraordinary) Diet session into early next year because of the ruling camp's opposition to the new Antiterrorism Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission, causing a delay in the convening of the regular Diet session and the passage of the state budget. However, there is an observation that the early closing of the current extraordinary Diet session for an early convening of the regular session next year could make it impossible to secure Diet approval for the economic stimulus package before year's end. Some take the view that the government and the ruling parties should show strong determination by significantly extending the extraordinary Diet session in order to pass the additional economic stimulus package as soon as possible. One of the four top party executives stressed, "Lawmakers must show the public that they are working in the end-of-the-year period, as well." However, the second supplementary budget bill cannot be submitted to the Diet until early November or later, according to one government source. If the opposition camp delays a vote in the Upper House, the bill would be automatically given the Diet's final approval 30 days after it was sent from the Lower House to the Upper House. However, it is impossible for the Lower House to take a revote on related bills until late January -- 60 days after they were sent from the Lower House to the Upper House. Some ruling party members take a bullish stance on dissolving the Lower House on the strength of implementing the additional economic pump-priming package, if the ruling parties strongly oppose passage of the bills in the extensively extended Diet. How to handle bills left for later deliberations will likely affect the future management of the Diet. TOKYO 00003090 007 OF 010 The DPJ will agree to take a vote on a bill amending the new Antiterrorism Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission, now under deliberations in the Upper House, on the condition of former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami takes the Diet witness stand. If he is summoned, the bill would be enacted in the middle of this month. However, there is also a possibility of the handling of the amendment bill necessitating an extension of the extraordinary Diet. A bill amending the Financial Functions Early Strengthening Law is also bound to encounter complications. There are 31 more bills to be handled during the current session. The ruling parties boiled down the priority bills to 17, including a set of bills related to the establishment of a consumer affairs agency, and conveyed that to the DPJ on the 5th. (6) Experts concerned about bill amending Child Pornography Prevention Law, fearing restrictions on manga, anime, investigating authorities' view reflected in judgment, freedom of expression undermined TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 20) (Excerpts) November 4, 2008 The ruling coalition has submitted a bill amending the Child Pornography Prevention Law to the current Diet session. The bill prohibits the individual possession of child pornography and indecent videos. Manga (comics) and anime (animated cartoons) may be subject to restrictions in the future. Given this, cartoonists and experts have voiced concern, fearing that an enactment of the revision bill would lead to undermining the principle of freedom of expression. Taro Minamoto, a cartoonist, is also feeling anxious about the recent move to revise the law, saying: "The boundary line between art and pornography remains blurred." One of his works features an 11-year-old girl who was sold and works as a prostitute for five years. This comic includes scenes of her being forced to prostitute herself. Minamoto grumbled: "If such descriptions are prohibited, it will become impossible to represent historical facts. It is unclear what would be designated as obscene and who would designate such." The ruling camp's bill has been submitted to the House of Representatives. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has also drafted its own bill. Manga and anime are not subject to the restrictions in both bills. But the ruling camp's bill notes that necessary measures will be taken in an additional clause according to the circumstances. But many concerned individuals, including Minamoto, fear that restrictions might be imposed on manga and anime in the future. There are comics with explicit love scenes or violent scenes. Minamoto said: "There are some that give us an unpleasant feeling, but restrictions should not be placed on manga. Although some people might have indecent thoughts while reading manga, not all readers will commit a crime. Once restrictions are placed, the scope of subjects to restrictions might gradually expand." Take a picture of a child in athletic wear as an example. Different persons, for instance, the child's parent or a pedophile, see it in a different way. Minamoto said: "The government, based on imagination, will impose restrictions (on manga and anime) while mixing up art with crime. If we begin to describe only what is allowed to describe, such is against the principle of freedom of TOKYO 00003090 008 OF 010 expression. Restrictions should be placed not in the creation process but in the distribution process. It is terrible to restrict everything, an act that could lead to a witch-hunt. It is also feared that freedom of expression might be undermined as a result of creators daunted by regulations." The ruling camp's revision bill prohibits the possession of child porn and punishes violators. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has drafted a bill that criminalizes the purchase and possession of child pornography. Since the Child Pornography Prevention Law was enacted in 1999, discussions have been conducted on whether the possession of child porn should be regarded as illegal and on whether comics and anime should be subject to restrictions. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Japan has carried out a campaign to oppose child pornography since this spring. The association has insisted on the need to define comics and anime depicting child molestation as illegal, in addition to the ban on the possession of child porn. Kanemitsu Daniel Makoto, a translator and the co-president of AMI Contact Network composed of manga or anime writers, said: "Pictures of children suffering from sexual abuse should be eradicated," but he added: "Products of imagination should be considered separately." Kanemitsu said: "Since the definition of children pornography is ambiguous, a subjective point of view is inevitably reflected in determining whether products are illegal or not. The investigating authorities can make a judgment based on their own discretion, so the ban on the simple possession of child porn could provide the root for an arrest for a separate crime. I am against the revision of the law before its concept is clearly defined." He is concerned about the recent trend of harmful or unpleasant products regarded as "illegal." Lawyer Takashi Yamaguchi said: "What is harmful and what is unpleasant vary by the individual. Even if the creatures are nasty and dirty, they are products of imagination after all. Cracking down on such products might lead to thought suppression." Yamaguchi pointed out that a plan to restrict the possession of child porn was dropped four years ago because it was feared that the investigating authorities might abuse their right. People involved in selling the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover, including writer Tadashi Ito, who translated the book into Japanese, were found guilty of pornography in 1957. In reference to this case, Yamaguchi commented: "People's values change with the times, but once restrictions are introduced, it will become almost impossible to regain the lost freedom of speech. Restrictions should not be placed on expressions in accordance with people's sense of values in a certain period, and freedom of creation should not be taken away from future generations." Kenta Yamada, assistant professor at Senshu University, said: "There is a marked tendency to ban everything, mixing up acts involving a sex crime that should be absolutely banned, something that should be restricted in the distribution process so that the public is not exposed to it, and something harmful for young people. What should be banned legally must be strictly controlled." TOKYO 00003090 009 OF 010 Yamada also worries about an expansion of the targets subject to restrictions. He said: "Everything tends to be restricted by law and civil rights under the context of safety, security, and soundness. Accordingly, the scope of matters restricted has expanded to include even unfair and harmful products, in addition to illegal productions." Yamada said that the ban on the individual possession of child pornography might lead to thought control and could result in changing the major principle of freedom of expression. In many cases, an exception once made has come into common use. Regarding the DPJ-proposed establishment of a crime for the possession of child pornography, too, it contains the same risk, depending on how to specify it. Yamada said that many productions of imagination can be voluntarily restricted in the process of distribution, and not in the process of creation. He said: "The scope of matters controlled by law or public authority should be limited. The scope of the rights and freedom guaranteed under the Constitution has significantly been narrowed down." (7) TOP HEADLINES Asahi, Yomiuri & Tokyo Shimbun: Obama declares election victory, says "change has come" Mainichi: Obama seeks drastic changes in domestic policy, diplomacy Nikkei: Obama vows efforts to revitalize U.S. economy Sankei & Akahata: Obama first African-American to be elected U.S. president (8) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Obama elected U.S. president: Strong expectations of change in U.S. Mainichi: (1) We anticipate change in U.S. Yomiuri: (1) Obama has made history, but hard work starts now Nikkei: (1) President-elect Obama to challenge historic economic crisis Sankei: (1) Obama urged to restore confidence and leadership Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Obama elected next U.S. president -- America's historic choice Akahata: (1) Obama should respond to expectations for change (9) Prime Minister's schedule, November 5 TOKYO 00003090 010 OF 010 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 6, 2008 08:51 Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto. 09:36 Met with Matsumoto. 10:13 Decoration ceremony of the Grand Cordon orders 11:59 Met with Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe. 13:20 Decoration ceremony for the Order of the Rising Sun 13:58 Arrived at the Kantei. 14:30 Lower House Fiscal and Financial Committee meeting 16:46 Met with General Council Chairman Sasagawa. 17:19 Met with Special Advisor Yamaguchi, followed by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma. 18:05 Met with Deputy Foreign Minister Kono, Economic Affairs Bureau Director General Otabe and Vive Finance Minister for International Affairs Shinohara. 19:15 Met with Lower House member Kentaro Sonoura at a bar in Roppongi. 21:31 Arrived at the private residence in Kamiyama-cho. SCHIEFFER