DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/08/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 003334

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SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/08/08

INDEX:

(1) Poll: Public support for Aso cabinet plunges by half to 21
PERCENT (Yomiuri)

(2) DPJ executive desperately trying to cap internal strains over
Diet strategy, super-grand coalition idea (Nikkei)

(3) Budget compilation: Three challenges -- local tax allocations,
social security spending and special budget framework: Coordination
entering crucial stage (Nikkei)

(4) Defense Ministry to request 100 billion yen for USFJ realignment
(Yomiuri)

(5) Interview with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima on his second
anniversary; Okinawa promotion law and promotion plan to be reviewed
(Okinawa Times)

(6) TOP HEADLINES

(7) EDITORIALS

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 5 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Poll: Public support for Aso cabinet plunges by half to 21
PERCENT

YOMIURI (Top Play) (Full)
December 8, 2008

Public support for the Aso cabinet plummeted by almost half from the
40.5 PERCENT in the previous survey in early November to 20.9
PERCENT , according to the latest nationwide telephone survey
conducted on Dec. 5-7 by Yomiuri Shimbun. Meanwhile, disapproval
rating jumped about 25 percentage points to 66.7 PERCENT . Asked
which is preferable as prime minister, Prime Minister Aso or
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ozawa, only 29 PERCENT of
respondents picked Aso, down 21 points from the previous survey,
while 36 PERCENT chose Ozawa, up 14 points. The support rate for
Aso fell below the figure for Ozawa for the first time. Aso scored
an overwhelming victory in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
presidential election, given his high popularity. The survey showed
that the "effect of freshness" has faded out in only about two
months. Greatly shocked by the survey results, some LDP members
might begin to call for the prime minister to be replaced, or moves
might be afoot to form a new political party.

Aso losing political ground further

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura yesterday commented on the steep
dive in public support for the Aso cabinet: "These are very severe
figures for us. We should take the survey results as intended to
encourage us and include satisfactory economic stimulus measures in
the second supplementary budget bill for fiscal 2008 and in the
budget bill for fiscal 2009. LDP Secretary General Hosoda stated
before reporters yesterday: "The outcome is really regrettable. I
expect (the support rate) to begin to climb once the public
understand our measures to create jobs and to buoy the economy."
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima said: "A string of

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remarks (critical of the prime minister) by LDP members can be
considered to have plunged public support."

New Komeito President Ota commented yesterday: "It is important for
the prime minister to demonstrate leadership and reveal what he
really wants to do."

Many ruling party members cite Aso's credentials as prime minister
as one of the major reasons for the poor survey results, for
instance, his trouble with reading kanji. A close aide to Aso stated
yesterday: "There are no effective steps to raise the support rating
of the cabinet. It is the sole way for the government to show to the
public its determination to make steady effort." Even so, the prime
minister's political strength will inevitably be dampened further in
the future.

Keeping in mind the fact that former prime ministers Abe and Fukuda
stepped down in about one year after the launch of their cabinets, a
junior LDP Lower House member said: "Even if the LDP tries to
overcome the current tough situation by holding a LDP presidential
election to replace prime minister, the party will not be able to
obtain public support." But an LDP member who once served as a
cabinet minister remarked: "It might be unavoidable for prime
minister to be replaced as the support rating of his cabinet has
dived to this level."

Appearing on a Fuji TV program yesterday, Hidenao Nakagawa, former
LDP secretary general, replied when asked how he plans to address
political realignment and to form a new political party: "It is
premature to make any comment. I will make a judgment after thorough
deliberations."

The government and the ruling camp intend to adjourn the current
Diet session at the end of the session on Dec. 25 and convene an
ordinary Diet session on Jan. 5. They hope to enact the second extra
budget bill and related bills at an early date and then to force the
fiscal 2009 budget bill through the Diet by the end of this fiscal
year. But the DPJ is poised to oppose the supplementary budget bill.
Heated negotiations are expected in the Diet.

Ozawa gains more support as preferable premier

In the latest survey, the support rating of the Aso cabinet was
below the critical 30 PERCENT line into the level considered
dangerous and was even lower than the 28.3 PERCENT for the Fukuda
cabinet in its last days marked in Yomiuri survey by direct
interview in August.

As for the reasons given for not supporting the Aso cabinet, 32
PERCENT of respondents said they did not have any expectations
about his policies, followed by 29 PERCENT who cited a lack of
leadership (9 PERCENT in the previous survey),and 25 PERCENT who
listed a lack of stability of the cabinet (13 PERCENT in the
previous survey). The survey results showed that disappointment
among the public at Aso's competence as prime minister was a major
cause for the large drop in public support.

Voters also severely evaluated the economic stimulus measures the
cabinet had mapped out on a top priority basis, with 83 PERCENT
saying that the cabinet has not properly dealt with the current
economic situation and with 67 PERCENT defining as inappropriate
the government's decision to put off the submission of a second

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extra budget bill to sometime after early next year. The survey also
found that 77 PERCENT see a string of gaffes and controversial
remarks by Aso have negatively affected the administration of
government.

Asked which party they would vote for in the next House of
Representatives election, 27.2 PERCENT chose the LDP (down 5.2
points from the previous poll),28.2 PERCENT said they supported
the DPJ (up 4.8 points). Asked which party they would vote for in
the proportional representation ballot, 40 PERCENT favored for the
DPJ and 24 PERCENT for the LDP. This marked the first time since
the launch of the Aso cabinet for the DPJ has surpassed the LDP.

In response to a question about what administration they think
should be formed after the Lower House election, 33 PERCENT replied
that a new framework should be formed through political realignment,
followed by 25 PERCENT suggesting a grand coalition between the LDP
and the DPJ. With 21 PERCENT proposing forming a coalition centered
on the DPJ and 12 PERCENT for a coalition centered on the LDP, the
survey results revealed that about 60 PERCENT of the voters are
seeking a new type of politics going beyond the framework of
choosing the LDP or the DPJ.

On the timing for Lower House dissolution for a general election, 36
PERCENT suggested early next year and 22 PERCENT called for prompt
dissolution, with about 60 PERCENT urging the government to
dissolve the Lower House at an early date. In the previous survey,
22 PERCENT cited around next spring, and 14 PERCENT listed
sometime by the time of the Lower House members' terms of office
expiring next September. But the numbers of those who picked these
replies significantly decreased.

(2) DPJ executive desperately trying to cap internal strains over
Diet strategy, super-grand coalition idea

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
December 8, 2008

Strains are beginning to appear in the major opposition Democratic
Party of Japan (DPJ),which has taken the offensive to topple the
government of Prime Minister Taro Aso. Some DPJ members in the House
of Councillors are critical about the management of Diet affairs by
Chairman Azuma Koshiishi and other executive members. Some are
wondering about the true intention of President Ichiro Ozawa, who
advocates a super-grand coalition vision to launch a caretaker
government of ruling and opposition parties to deal with a general
election. The party leadership is desperately trying to nip the
problem in the bud.

"Something is wrong with the Upper House leadership's way of dealing
with matters," Toshimi Kitazawa, a DPJ vice president, who chairs
the Upper House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said on the
night of Dec. 4 to Upper House members who were elected for the
first time to the Diet in 2007. They were meeting at a Chinese
restaurant in Tokyo.

Koshiishi and other executive members are reluctant to take a tactic
of boycotting deliberations in the current Diet session. Many in the
DPJ Upper House are looking with suspicion on a development in which
such senior members as Kitazawa, Hajime Ishii and Takeshi Maeda will
lose their chances to score points during the ongoing extended Diet
session. Also such junior members as Harunobu Yonenaga, Kuniko

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Tanioka and Kusuo Oshima made special requests in a general meeting
and other occasions.

Although the DPJ has formed a joint parliamentary group with the
People's New Party (PNP) and New Party Nippon (NPN),creating the
largest group in the Upper House, the PNP has recently often tried
to force its assertions on the DPJ in managing Diet affairs and
coordinating elections by hinting the threat of dissolving the
parliamentary group. Some DPJ members are unhappy with the party
leadership for giving too much consideration to the PNP.

Koshiishi and other executives will hold meetings this week with
groups based on the number of times they lawmakers were elected to
the Upper House. They intend to strengthen intra-party unity by
listening to views on managing the party. But a mid-level member
said: "They are just trying to ease discontent." Some senior members
who have distanced themselves from Ozawa have expressed concern
about his super-grand coalition vision, with one saying: "Mr. Ozawa
has not yet given up on the idea of a grand coalition with the LDP."


The super-grand coalition vision means that if Prime Minister Aso
resigns in the next ordinary session under the condition that he
will carry out an early Lower House election for a snap election,
the DPJ will agree to form a caretaker government made up of all
parties to deal with the snap election. The super-grand coalition
notion spread quickly after Ozawa mentioned it in a meeting on the
night of Nov. 28 with Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and NPN
leader Yasuo Tanaka.

Meeting with strong opposition from within his party, Ozawa gave up
on the idea of a grand coalition with the LDP, even though he and
then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had agreed to it during a meeting.
Many junior and mid-level members who want political change have yet
to get over their "allergy" to such a notion.

The DPJ leadership is struggling to find ways to stave off turmoil.
In a meeting on Nov. 30 of the 'Next Cabinet,' Hatoyama said:

"It is a misunderstanding that the grand-coalition notion will be
revived. A caretaker government will aim to deal only with a general
election to the last. The notion was come up in the process of
forming a DPJ-led government."

At a press conference on Nov. 4, Deputy President Naoto Kan
explained that Ozawa becoming prime minister is a condition for a
caretaker government to deal with a general election. Ozawa's hold
over the party remains strong, but tools to shake the party's unity
still remain in place.

(3) Budget compilation: Three challenges -- local tax allocations,
social security spending and special budget framework: Coordination
entering crucial stage

NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly)
December 7, 2008

The government has decided to raise the state contribution to the
basic pension, one of the pending issues concerning the compilation
of the fiscal 2009 budget, starting in April next year as originally
planned. Coordination of views in the government and the ruling camp
over the budget compilation will enter a crucial stage this week.

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However, where a settlement can be found for an increase in local
tax allocations and a constraint on social security spending is not
yet in sight. Since pressure for an increase in budget allocations
from the ruling parties is strong with the next Lower House election
close at hand, there is a possibility of a special budget framework
plan, which has been a lingering notion in the ruling camp, gaining
momentum once again.

An increase in local tax allocations will likely be the last issue
to be settled. Prime Minister Taro Aso originally took the stance of
transferring 1 trillion yen drawn from freed up special road-purpose
revenues to local governments. This developed into a dispute over
whether the money should be distributed in the form of local tax
allocations or subsidies in the government and the ruling parties.

The Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) project team decided to
categorize a large portion of the 1 trillion yen as subsidies for
exclusive use for road construction. Six local bodies and the
Internal Affairs Ministry, which are seeking convenient local tax
allocations, have begun calling for an increase of 1 trillion yen in
a separate framework.

In that case, however, the government will have to raise resources
to fund subsidies by issuing deficit-covering government bonds. The
Finance Ministry, which wants to constrain the issuance of new
government bonds as much as possible, is strongly opposing the
idea.

A policy of constraining the growth of social security spending by
22 billion yen a year is also stumbling. The Finance Ministry and
the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry (MHLW) intend to constrain
the growth by 22 billion yen, funded by an increase in the tobacco
tax. A 3 yen rise per cigarette or 60 yen per packet is expected to
bring about a revenue increase of about 100 billion yen. It is
possible to reduce the amount of constraint in proportion to that.
However, many LDP members are strongly opposing the proposal out of
consideration to leaf tobacco growers.

The amount of constraint on social security spending will increase,
if the margin of a rise in tobacco prices becomes small. The Finance
Ministry wants to cut back on social security spending by reducing
the state contribution to the employment insurance, which receives
160 billion yen. However, the MHLW and the ruling parties are
strongly opposing a cut in social security spending. The rapid
deterioration in the employment situation is working as a negative
factor.

The special framework worth over 10 trillion yen, an initiative
suddenly surfaced in the government and the ruling parties, is also
lingering, though it lost seam in the ruing camp, as no specific
proposal has been made. However, since the basic policy for the
budget compilation incorporated the words that a decisive response
will be made in a timely and flexible way, according to
circumstances, there is still room left for the issue to reemerge.

The Finance Ministry denied the special framework plan with one
official noting, "We have not heard about such a proposal." It is
alarmed about a possible call for a budgetary increase at the last
minute.

(4) Defense Ministry to request 100 billion yen for USFJ
realignment

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YOMIURI (Internet edition) (Full)
December 8, 2008

In compiling its fiscal 2009 draft budget, the Defense Ministry has
decided to request approximately 100 billion yen in total outlays
for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan that will be implemented
starting in fiscal year 2009. The ministry has started prior
coordination with the Finance Ministry. This was revealed today by a
government source.

Since this greatly exceeds this fiscal year's allocation (for USFJ
realignment) of 19.1 billion year, the focus of coordination now
within the government and ruling camp will be on whether to treat
the request as a defense budget expenditure as before, or place it
under a special framework.

Breaking down the 100 billion yen request, approximately 40 to 50
billion yen will be allocated as expenditures to develop
approximately 300 hectares of land for construction of billeting for
the Marines and to build their headquarters on U.S. Navy land on
Guam. This project is in connection with the relocation of U.S.
Marines from Okinawa to Guam. In addition, in connection with the
relocation of the Marines' Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City,
Okinawa Prefecture) to the coastal area of Camp Schwab (Nago City in
the same prefecture),the ministry is requesting over 20 billion yen
for such work as destroying the existing structures and developing
the land. Accompanying the stationing of carrier-based jets to
Iwakuni base (Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture),it is estimated
that over 20 billion yen will be needed for constructing parking
spots and hangars on the base.

The Finance Ministry has taken a stance of seeking defense-related
cuts in such areas as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) equipment budget
and constraininge USFJ realignment outlays themselves. It has
positioned the realignment funds as just another part of the entire
defense budget. The Defense Ministry has cited that the realignment
plan has been agreed on between Japan and United States, and it is
concerned that the there could be an impact on the Defense Program
Outline, which is planned for revision at the end of next year. It
is advocating that the funding come from a special framework.

(5) Interview with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima on his second
anniversary; Okinawa promotion law and promotion plan to be
reviewed

OKINAWA TIMES (Page 3) (Full)
December 6, 2008

December 10 marks the second anniversary of the assumption of office
by Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. Ahead of the commemorative event, the
governor has given an interview to news companies, including the
Okinawa Times, in which he discussed the U.S. base issue, an outlook
for industrial development and other matters.

(Katsutoshi Hamamoto of the political and economic department as the
interviewer)

-- Based on progress in your campaign pledges, what is your
assessment of the management of the prefectural administration over
the last two years?


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"I think we have been able to get started some 95 PERCENT of 14
policy targets and 170 concrete policies, including administrative
and fiscal reform. We must leave the assessment to the Okinawa
public."

-- Talks on the relocation of Futenma Air Station with the central
government have now stalled.

"I would like to see a convincing plan that incorporates as many
local views as possible; that's my basic stance. (The governments of
Japan and the United States) need to firmly embrace (local) opinions
on moving the envisaged replacement facility to an offshore area and
on the environmental impact assessment."

-- Many in the Japanese and U.S. governments are dismissive of
moving the replacement facility offshore.

"The governor has the power to authorize landfill work for using
surface areas. After hearing experts' views on the environmental
assessment, there is a possibility that the option of moving the
site to the western side rather than offshore will emerge. It is
natural to move it from the residential area to an offshore area.
Although there is the basic agreement and restrictions, I believe we
have been able to crosscheck our views at the talks."

-- Effectively closing down Futenma Air Station in three years was
your campaign pledge. What is the prospect for it?

"I think it is possible to effectively close down the air station.
The chances of risks can be halved with the transfer of some 50
helicopters, halving the training menus, and other means. The
working team has been making moves. I would like to see the group
come up with a direction of effectively closing down the air station
while producing an answer each time and implementing them."

-- Is it possible to pursue industrial promotion and the
unemployment rate to match the national levels?

"Industrial promotion consists of supporting industries in the
prefecture and attracting enterprises (to the prefecture).
IT-centered advance into the prefecture has not lost momentum. We
are endeavoring to lure companies from such countries as South
Korea, Taiwan, and America. The prefectural government also supports
carefully and steadfastly corporate efforts for developing new
technologies, change in business activities, and advance into new
areas."

"The niche market in Okinawa can offer unlimited opportunities not
only to home appliances and automobiles but also to the
manufacturing industry as a whole. I believe we can lower the
unemployment rate to the national level and even result in a labor
shortage by picking up such projects carefully and persistently. We
pin hopes on ANA's international cargo base concept, thinking it can
help jumpstart the economy."

-- Tourism is going strong, but there are objections to the casino
plan.

"There are both positive and negative aspects to the casino plan.
The question is how we can minimize the negative aspects. I believe
there is a need to produce new tourist programs by combining
Okinawa's transitional performing arts, natural environment, and

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casinos."

-- The Law on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of
Okinawa is slated to expire in 2011.

"Starting next April, the existing Okinawa promotion law and the
Okinawa promotion plan will be overhauled centering on the planning
department. Even if the contents of the special measures and
high-rate subsidies are to be narrowed down, they must be continued.
In particular, in order to purity the environment surrounding sites
previously used by the U.S. military and to turn them into a driving
force for the industry and economy, some sort of support from the
central government is necessary."

Conflict with opposition bloc intensifying in prefectural assembly

The opposition and ruling blocs traded their positions in the
prefectural assembly election in June that handed down a decision on
the Nakaima prefectural administration. With the confrontation
intensifying in the opposition-controlled assembly, steering the
prefectural administration is becoming taxing.

In the regular September assembly session, a budgetary plan to fund
the governor's trip to the United States was voted down. In
November, the regular session stalled from the outset over the
prefectural government's litigation over the Naha District Court's
decision on the Awase reclamation project. The opposition bloc is
set to make a decision in the upcoming proportional and regular
interpellations on a resubmitted budgetary plan to finance the
governor's U.S. trip. A second rejection of the plan would deal a
serious blow to Gov. Nakaima, causing him to lose some grip on
power.

The ruling camp has positively assessed the governor, with one
saying: "He has been spearheading efforts to increase jobs, tourism,
and attract industries." The ruling camp agrees on the view that
(Gov. Nakaima) has taken solid steps centering on economic policy.
At the same time, given the global financial crisis and
deteriorating business confidence, the ruling bloc is urging Nakaima
to have a sense of crisis, with one saying: "The true worth of
'Nakaima of the economy' is being tested."

In the next Lower House election, it is essential for the ruling
parties to band together centering on Nakaima. The ruling bloc has
made a request to the minority prefectural government, with one
noting, "Not only Gov. Nakaima but also senior prefectural
government officials are not aware of the gravity of the situation.
In dealing with the assembly, they must take finely-tuned measures
in concert with the ruling parties."

Meanwhile, the opposition bloc has criticized Nakaima, with one
noting: "The governor has yet to deliver on his campaign pledges,
such as lowering the jobless rate to the national level and closing
down Futenma Air Station in three years."

The representative of a certain political group has pointed out an
awkward atmosphere surrounding the U.S. base issue, saying: "The
manner has been provocative as seen in the announcement of the
prefectural government's view conflicting with the prefectural
assembly's stance. The prefectural government does not have a handle
on the opposition camp's points on the governor's U.S. trip." The
prefectural government's failure to submit a resolution on its

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litigation against the Awase reclamation project has also drawn
criticism as slighting the prefectural assembly.

One has expressed this severe view: "He has been pushing ahead with
the structural reform drive since the Koizumi administration, the
collapsed U.S. force realignment plan, and useless public works
projects. His arbitrary political approach has been a problem." The
confrontation is expected to intensify further in the regular
prefectural assembly session in February that will discuss the
fiscal 2009 prefectural budget.

Gov. Nakaima, now in the second half of his term, is pressed to
clarify his strategy for his reelection and to produce solid track
records. Given the need to come up with measures against the
prefectural assembly and to build a consensus in the ruling bloc and
business circles, the focus will be on how he will revamp the setup,
including the vice-governor.

(6) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Support rate for Aso cabinet plunges to 22 PERCENT

Mainichi & Yomiuri:
Cabinet support rate at 21 PERCENT

Nikkei:
Nikkei research team calls for improving pension disadvantages of
young people

Sankei:
Chicago now most likely candidate for 2016 Olympics

Tokyo Shimbun:
Four to five courts found to have ordered to freeze bank accounts
allegedly used for bank transfer scams

Akahata:
Possibility of many people aged 75 or older not receiving insurance
card next year

(7) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Postal privatization: Politics, management preventing reform
(2) Relief of Minamata disease patients: How far will dual standards
left as they are?

Mainichi:
(1) Plummeting cabinet support ratings: Public no long willing to
entrust political reins to Prime Minister Aso
(2) Smoking room incident: Society's tolerance being questioned (by
Kenji Miki)

Yomiuri:
(1) Bring back taxi regulations: Taxi industry must work toward
optimal balance
(2) High school entrance exam: How to accept problem students

Nikkei:
(1) Pension system reform and economic stimulus measures should be
simultaneously carried out

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Sankei:
(1) Pursue responsibility for pension-record mess as crime
(2) Ban on use of cell phones at schools: Strict rules at homes
required

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Revenues from road-related taxes: Government, ruling coalition
will change the policy of freeing up tax revenues earmarked for road
for the worse
(2) Contaminated rice: Agriculture Ministry must first change

Akahata:
(1) 67th anniversary of Pacific War: Japan must reflect on
aggressive war

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 5

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
December 6, 2008

07:01
Took a walk around the private residence in Kamaiyama-cho

09:33
Cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Finance Minister Nakagawa
remained.

09:56
Met with Japanese Communist Party Chair Person Shii. Chief Cabinet
Secretary Kawamura was present.

10:20
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Minister Matsumoto at the Kantei.

11:31
Met with UN Development Fund for Women Executive Director Alverdi
and others, followed by Matsumoto.

12:54
Stood talking with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Nikaido.

13:00
Lower House Budget Committee meeting.

17:44
Stood talking with Lower House member Akira Kasai.

18:01
Met with LDP and New Komeito Policy Research Council Chairmen Hori
and Yamaguchi and Chairman Kawasaki of the ruling parties' project
team on new employment measures at the Kantei. Kawamura was present.
Hori and Kawamura remained.

18:44
Met with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma.

19:40
Met with NTT Chairman Wada and President Miura at a Japanese
restaurant in Hotel New Ohtani.


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20:37
Met with Lower House Speaker Kono and Justice Minister Mori at a
restaurant at Akasaka.

21:43
Returned to the private residence.

Prime Minister's schedule, December 6

December 7, 2008

07:33
Took a walk around the private residence in Kamiyama-cho.

10:45
Left Haneda Airport by ANA 249. Deputy Secretary General Hayashi
accompanied.

12:30
Arrived at Fukuoka Airport.

13:38
Left Fukuoka Airport by ANA 4917.

14:10
Arrived at Goto-Fukue Airport.

14:30
Made a sidewalk speech in Minato Park in Goto City, Nagasaki
Prefecture.

15:18
Inspected kindergarten Himawari Room.

15:44
Inspected shrimp harvest in front of Goto Fukue Fisheries
Cooperative Association.

16:03
Inspected Sakaguchi cattle barn.

16:18
Inspected Honcho shopping street.

16:36
Encouraged Midorigaoka Elementary School Basketball Team members at
Fukue Primary School.

16:58
Met with Nagasaki Prefectural Governor Kaneko and Goto City Mayor
Nakao at Lower House member Yaichi Tanigawa's office.

18:04
Left Goto-Fukue Airport by Oriental Air Bridge 320.

18:25
Arrived at Nagasaki Airport.

19:40
Speech meeting at Moriyama Sports Exchange Hall in Isahaya City.

21:25

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Met with Tanigawa and former Defense Minister Kyuma at Unzen Kyusyu
Hotel in Unzen City. Stayed at the hotel overnight.

Prime Minister's schedule, December7

December 8, 2008

07:30
Met with Deputy Secretary General Hayashi at Unzen Kyushu Hotel in
Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

08:06
Met with proprietresses of Unzen Hot Spring and Obama Hot Spring at
Hyakunen Dining, a restaurant in the same hotel.

09:37
Laid wreath at a monument commemorating Mt. Fugendake Disaster in
Shimabara City.

10:59
Left Kuchinotsu Port in Minami-Shimabara City by Shimatetsu Ferry.

11:28
Arrived at Oniike Port in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

12:05
Met with Amakusa City Mayor Yasuda at a restaurant in Hotel Alegria
Gardens Amakusa in Amakusa City. Then met with members of the local
junior chamber.

14:29
Speech meeting at Chapel Garden in the same hotel.

17:34
Made a sidewalk speech in the Kengun Shopping Mall in Kumamoto
City.

18:05
Met with Upper House member Hitoshi Kimura at a Japanese restaurant
in Kumamoto City.

20:15
Left Kumamoto Airport by ANA 650.

21:27
Arrived at Haneda Airport.

22:00
Met with his secretary at Haneda Airport

23:50
Arrived at the private residence in Kamiyama-cho.

SCHIEFFER