JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/28/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/28/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Terrorism: 4) Japan to fully back India against terrorists (Yomiuri) 5) Japan to team up with Asian countries against terrorism (Nikkei) Foreign aid: 6) Gov't plans to provide 700 million yen in aid to Congo (Nikkei) Defense & security issues: 7) DPJ's Maehara concurred with Obama staff that Futenma relocation would be infeasible (Mainichi) 8) ASDF to be ordered today to pull out of Iraq (Mainichi) Political agenda: 9) Another gaffe from Prime Minister Aso over doctor bills (Mainichi) 10) LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito party, growing frustrated with Prime Minister Aso (Yomiuri) 11) Ruling coalition to avoid confronting opposition bloc during extended Diet session for MSDF, finance bills (Mainichi) 12) Japan eyes space activities for security, diplomacy (Yomiuri) 13) Diet expected to approve amendment to Nationality Law on Dec. 3 (Asahi) 14) Gov't to continue space rocket engine project (Yomiuri) North Korea problem: 15) U.S., Japan mull another documentation for sampling from North Korea's nuclear facilities (Yomiuri) 16) Japan to work on Obama administration (Nikkei) Economic issues: 17) Gov't to cap Narita airport stakes at 20 PERCENT (Sankei) Opinion poll: 18) Gov't poll shows 51 PERCENT concerned about public security with more foreign tourists to Japan (Nikkei) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Mainichi: Yomiuri: Tokyo Shimbun: No. of assailants in Mumbai attacks believed to top 20: 200 people still trapped in occupied hotels; 30 taken hostage at one hotel Nikkei: Controls on farmland leasing to be listed, according to outline of MAFF reform plan Sankei: Defense minister voices concern about purchases of land in Tsushima City by Korean companies Akahata: TOKYO 00003251 002 OF 010 �00A; EU recommends consumption tax cut needed and cut in workers' income tax 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Mumbai attacks: Terror hits emerging country (2) Fiscal deficit: Political determination to settle issue under new goal urged Mainichi: (1) Prime minister's gaffe hurts patients (2) Terrorist attacks in India: Pursue links among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan Yomiuri: (1) Use basic space program for strategic diplomacy (2) Terrorist attacks in India: Key economic city made target Nikkei: (1) Terrorist attacks on India's commercial city reminiscent of 9/11 (2) Confusion in Thailand marring its national interests Sankei: (1) Lay judge system: More efforts needed to wipe away anxieties (2) Terrorist attacks in India: Eradicate terrorism with unity of international community Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Terrorist attacks in India: Cooperation between India and Pakistan indispensable (2) Lay judge system: Effort to ease anxieties needed Akahata: (1) Achievement test in Osaka: Governor's abnormal attitude will arouse spirit of competition 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule Nov. 26 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) Nov. 27, 2008 08:48 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Konoike at the Kantei. 09:28 Met LDP special panel to strengthen diplomatic capabilities chairman Yoshiro Mori and executive secretary Motegi. 10:01 Attended an Upper House plenary session. 12:18 Attended a national convention of town and village heads at the NHK Hall. 14:02 Met at the Kantei with LDP Agriculture and Forestry Division head Miyakoshi, Forestry Policy Research Commission Chairman Iwanaga, TOKYO 00003251 003 OF 010 national federation to promote creating a forest environment tax chairman Iwata and others. 15:03 Attended a meeting of the central council to promote measures for the disable. Met members of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives. 16:00 Met Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Ogawa. 17:02 Met Middle East Cooperation Center Chairman Jiro Nemoto. Followed by chief Takagi of Hoshino Village in Fukuoka Prefecture, with Election Strategy Council Chairman Koga. 18:39 Met members of the New Japan-China Friendship 21st Century Committee, including Fuji Xerox Supreme Advisor Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of the Japanese group. 19:59 Dined at a Chinese restaurant in the Hotel Okura with Tanigaki, chairman of the LDP project team on freeing up road revenues, Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, and Deputy Chairman Sonoda. 22:47 Returned to his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2008 07:39 Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 10:01 Met at the Kantei with Secretary General Hosoda and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Oshima, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 10:49 Met Kawamura, joined by New Komeito President Ota and Secretary General Kitagawa. Kitagawa stayed behind. 11:39 Met Kitakyushu Social Welfare Council Chairman Haga and others, with Konoike present. 12:12 Met Internal Affairs and Communications Hatoyama. 12:53 Attended a national convention of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the NHK Hall. 13:56 Met LDP Tax System Research Commission Chairman Tsushima at the Kantei. 14:30 Attended a special executive meeting in the Diet Building. Later, met Secretary General Hosoda, Executive Council Chairman Sasagawa, TOKYO 00003251 004 OF 010 Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, and others. 15:00 Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka at the Kantei. Met Japan Dental Federation Chairman Nagayama and others, with Lower House member Takashi Mitsubayashi, Upper House member Masakazu Sekiguchi, and others. 15:45 Met Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau Director General Takamizawa, Defense Intelligence Headquarters chief Shimohira, and Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani. Mitani stayed behind. 16:31 Met incoming and outgoing chief judge of the Supreme Court Takesaki and Shimada. 16:47 Met Tokyo Governor Ishihara, with Konoike. 17:10 Met LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, New Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Yamaguchi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. Hori and Yamaguchi stayed behind. Followed by Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano. 18:20 Met Lower House members Koki Chuma and Takeshi Iwaya, Upper House member Katsuhito Asano, and assistant Yamaguchi. 18:58 Met Sasagawa, Hori and other members of the LDP Executive Liaison Council. Joined by Hosoda and Election Strategy Council Chairman Koga. 20:37 Met his secretaries at the Imperial Hotel 23:57 Returned to his private rsidence. 4) Terrorist attacks in India: Government fully supports India; Determined to do its utmost to secure safety of Japanese nationals YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) November 28, 2008 The government on November 27 stressed its stance of cooperating with the Indian government on measures against terrorism, criticizing the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India, that claimed a large number of victims, including a Japanese businessman. It also intends to do its utmost to secure the safety of Japanese nationals and tourists throughout the world, with one senior Foreign Ministry official noting that the world is becoming instable. Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Taro Aso on the evening of November 27 told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei),"This is apparently terrorism. We must fight terrorism in a determined manner. Japan will extend full assistance to the Indian government, which is fighting terrorism head on. TOKYO 00003251 005 OF 010 5) Japan to strengthen cooperation with other Asian countries to prevent terrorism NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) November 28, 2008 In reaction to the terrorist attacks in India on Nov. 27, the government will quickly boost cooperation with other countries in Asia to prevent large-scale terrorism. Prime Minister Taro Aso announced yesterday that the government will fully support the antiterrorism measures taken by the Indian government. Japan has been assisting developing countries in enhancing their capabilities to cope with terrorist acts by disbursing its official development assistance (ODA) funds. Japan is likely to be required to beef up this kind of aid in the future. Aso told reporters at his official residence last night: "The attacks were apparently acts of terrorism. I think we must stand against them.... We would like to offer full assistance for the Indian people and government, who are fighting terrorism." Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura also said in a press conference: "We will continue to cooperate with the Indian government in facing terrorism." The government intends to take the following measures on a priority basis: (1) to strengthen the immigration-control system to prevent terrorists from coming into and going out of the nation; (2) to improve the functions of security agents responsible for exposing planned terrorist acts; and (3) to tighten the system of keeping tabs on money laundering by terrorist groups. 6) 700 million yen to be offered to Congo as humanitarian aid NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2008 The government yesterday decided to provide approximately 700 million yen in humanitarian aid, which includes the provision of tents, as a measure to support refugees in Congo, where public security has deteriorated due to the civil war. Coinciding with the dispatch of Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Nobuhide Minorikawa to Congo for four days from Dec. 1, the cabinet will make a decision on the matter in a meeting today. 7) DPJ's Maehara: Obama team shares the view that Futenma relocation plan is impossible MAINICHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) November 27, 2008 Takenori Noguchi Democratic Party of Japan Vice President Seiji Maehara delivered a speech on Nov. 26 in Tokyo. In the speech, Maehara indicated that during his visit to the United States in June, he exchanged views with President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy team on the relocation of Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Camp Schwab, and that they shared the view that realizing the plan was impossible. Maehara also indicated that the plan should be reconsidered on the occasion of the establishment of the new U.S. TOKYO 00003251 006 OF 010 administration. The governments of Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 to return Futenma Air Station on the condition of its relocation to a new site in Okinawa. The plan did not move forward due to the anti-base movement and other factors, and the two governments reached a new agreement on the Futenma base in 2005 to return the base by linking it to a plan to move 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam as part of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Maehara, who was involved in the matter in 1996 as the now-defunct Sakigake Party's policy officer, noted: "In order to build relations of trust to carry out the promise, a different design must be drawn up by putting the matter back to the drawing board. We share the same awareness (with the United States)." 8) Defense minister to issue order today for withdrawal of ASDF from Iraq MAINICHI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) November 28, 2008 By Ryo Matsuo The government is set to decide at its Security Council of Japan meeting today to withdraw the Air Self-Defense Force, which has been engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. Based on the decision, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will issue an order for the withdrawal. The deployment of Japan's Self-Defense Forces of about five years will completely end, following the pullout of the Ground Self-Defense Force from the southern Iraqi city of Samawah in July 2006. A UN resolution authorizing the stationing of the multinational forces will expire at the end of this year. In addition, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to shift the emphasis of the war on terror from Iraq to Afghanistan. Given the situation, the government decided in September to pull the ASDF out of Iraq. Sending an advance team in late 2003, the ASDF's C-130 transport planes began airlift operations in March 2004 between Kuwait and Iraq. As of Nov. 26, the ASDF made a total of 810 flights to airlift 671.1 tons of supplies and personnel for the multinational forces and the UN. 9) Prime minister makes another gaffe: "Why should I pay for medical fees for those who are careless with their health?" MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) November 27, 2008 The minute book of a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, held on November 20, was released on the 20th, disclosing Prime Minister Aso's remark on constraining social security expenses. He said, "Why should I pay for the medical costs of people (patients) who become sick because they just keep on drinking and eating and doing nothing?" The remark will likely draw fire, as it can be taken as insinuating that patients are to be blamed for an increase in medical costs for elderly people. The prime minister said, "If you attend a class reunion at the age of 67 or 68, you'd find some of your classmates who used to be fit and healthy are now worn out and go to see the doctor frequently." TOKYO 00003251 007 OF 010 He also said, "My medical costs are much lower than such people. That is because I take a walk every day and do other things. I pay more tax (than them)." Aso lastly said, "The government should provide incentives to people who make efforts to keep in good health." 10) New Komeito unhappy with premier YOMIURI(Page 4) (Excerpts) November 27, 2008 The New Komeito is increasingly dissatisfied with Prime Minister Aso. That is because the prime minister failed to meet its request for a Lower House dissolution at an early date. He is also causing confusion because of his gaffes and controversial statements. However, a sense of constriction is gripping the party with the only option available now being to support him for the next Lower House election. Referring to a Lower House dissolution, Secretary General Kitagawa at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club on November 26 admitted, "The possibility of the government dissolving the Lower House at the outset of the regular Diet session (to be convened in January next year) is becoming slim." This is the first time for the party to indicate such an outlook, because it has insisted that there could be dissolution in the year-end and new-year period. Kitagawa underscored, "There is no change in our stance of contesting the next election with Prime Minister Aso." 11) Ruling coalition to pour all energy into enacting refueling and financial bills, avoiding all-out confrontation in extended Diet session MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) November 28, 2008 The government and the ruling camp officially decided yesterday to extend the current Diet session for 25 days to Dec. 25 with the aim of passing a bill amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The decision is expected to be approved at a plenary session of the House of Representatives today by a majority from the ruling parties. The government and the ruling parties intend to devote themselves to enacting the refueling bill and a bill amending the Law for Strengthening Financial Functions to enable the government to pour public funds into regional financial institutions, while refraining as much as possible from deliberations on other bills. 12) Government's space outline allows use of space for security and diplomatic purposes YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) November 28, 2008 A basic space plan, unveiled yesterday by the expert research council of the government's Strategic Headquarters for Space Development headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso, set forth a policy direction to allow the government to use space for security and diplomatic purposes from a perspective putting high priority on the development of rockets and satellites. The government will launch TOKYO 00003251 008 OF 010 concrete work for formulating a program next May. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura emphasized before the expert research council yesterday the importance of defining the development of space as a national strategy, saying: "It is necessary to have a basic program that can help Japan demonstrate its presence in the international community." The basic space development program will be formulated based on the basic space law enacted in May this year. The program will incorporate a basic policy and measures for the next five years. Referring to the use of space for defense purposes that has become possible with the enactment of the basic space law, the outline specifies that the government is to endeavor to strengthen and improve the country's information-gathering capability. The government thus showed its intention to set forth a certain direction for the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) to be revised at the end of 2009. The research council is expected to consider in the future: (1) reconnaissance satellites with a resolution higher than that of the present information-gathering satellites; (2) early-warning satellites to detect launches of missiles; and (3) high-capacity high-speed communications satellites. To what extent these elements will be reflected in the NDPG remains unclear. In addition to difficulty securing a budget for launching satellites under the tight fiscal condition, there are a plethora of challenges, such as the development of new technologies and acquiring know-how. The promotion of space diplomacy is another pillar of the outline. Japan has provided climate satellite images to some 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, some have pointed out that such an approach was weaker as a national strategy in comparison to China's diplomatic means of securing energy resources by receiving orders for launching communications satellites from such countries as Nigeria and Venezuela. 13) Nationality Law revision bill to clear Diet as early as Dec. 3 ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) November 28, 2008 Regarding a bill amending the Nationality Law, a vote on which has been put on hold in the House of Councillors, the Upper House Judicial Affairs Committee directors from the ruling and opposition parties yesterday agreed on an additional resolution, which includes such requirements that the submission of a report every six months to the Diet. The additional resolution calls on the committee to report the enforcement state of the revised law every six months, as well as to consider whether the introduction of a DNA examination system is needed or is appropriate. As such, the expectation is that the revision bill and the additional resolution will be adopted in the committee and an Upper House plenary session as early as Dec. 3. However, cautious views are simmering in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). In order to seek understanding for the revision to the law, the DPJ intends to hold TOKYO 00003251 009 OF 010 an explanatory session for its members early next week. 14) Expert panel recommends continuing development of engine for GX rocket YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2008 In a meeting of its expert panel yesterday, the government's Strategic Headquarters for Space Development released its report noting that an engine powered by liquefied natural gas and used for the planned GX rocket be completed at an early date to conduct a combustion test next summer. The medium-sized GX-rocket is being developed jointly by the public and private sectors. But the panel put off a judgment on the propriety of continuing the development of the GX rocket itself. The central government is in charge of developing the engine. However, technical problems have been left unresolved, and the project has been up in the air. 15) Japan, U.S. considering separate document on sampling YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) November 28, 2008 Regarding Japan's request to put in writing a verification protocol in connection with North Korea's nuclear declaration, which will be high on the agenda in the next round of the six-party talks, the governments of Japan and the United States are now studying a compromise plan under which sampling of materials from North Korean nuclear facilities will be referred to in an "attachment," which will be different from the verification protocol, it was learned yesterday. The two governments are also considering covering the nuclear sampling issue in a "footnote." The move is aimed at giving consideration to North Korea, which has strongly opposed the idea of putting sampling into written form. Chief negotiators to the six-party talks from Japan, the United States and South Korea are expected to meet on Dec. 3 in Tokyo to discuss response to the next round of the talks. 16) Government to urge U.S. President-elect Obama to understand abduction issue NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2008 Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura met yesterday with Governor of Niigata Prefecture Hirohiko Izumida, chair of the Association of Governors to Rescue Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. In the meeting, Kawamura told Izumida: "We will make efforts to urge U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to understand the abduction issue." 17) Study group proposes restricting investment in airport operating companies to 20 PERCENT SANKEI (Page 8) (Full) November 28, 2008 Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) intends to list its TOKYO 00003251 010 OF 010 stocks. In this connection, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on November 27 formally submitted to the Study Group on Regulations on Airport Infrastructure (chaired by Chuo University Law School Professor Seiichi Ochiai),the government's expert council, a draft report that incorporates a proposal for limiting an investor's stake to 20 PERCENT of the company. The draft mentions that the government, which now wholly owns the company's stocks, will sell those stocks in stages and eventually hold a one-third stake for the foreseeable future. It also points out the need to introduce a shareholding restriction without discriminating between domestic and foreign companies. The draft proposes 20 PERCENT and 33 PERCENT as the upper limits of a stake in the company by one shareholder, but notes that the limit should be set at 20 PERCENT to prevent any single shareholder from having excessive influence. As the ratio of government-held shares as a result of gradual privatization, the draft proposes 50 PERCENT or one-third and recommends the one-third plan so as to allow the company to display its independence as much as possible. The panel will finalize the report based on those government proposals and adopt it at its December meeting. Related laws, including the airport law, will be amended during the regular Diet session next year. The MLIT plan includes arguments for and against regulating investment in Japan Airport Company, the already-listed Haneda Airport facilities operator. The panel will compile a report with the possibility of ruling out the adoption of a restriction. 18) Poll: 51 PERCENT concerned about public security due to rise in foreign touristry to Japan NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) November 28, 2008 The Cabinet Office yesterday released the results of its sponsored special public opinion survey on the government's tourism policy. In the survey, respondents were asked for multiple-choice answers about an increase in the number of foreign travelers to Japan. To this question, a total of 51.8 PERCENT answered that they were concerned about safety and thought some measures should be taken. The government plans to increase the number of foreign travelers to Japan to 20 million by 2020, more than twice the current level. However, it has also become clear that there are also many people who are worried about a rapid increase in the number of foreign tourists to Japan. SCHIEFFER