DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/30/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 003534 SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/30/08 INDEX: (1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Japanese, Americans hope for change with Obama; Perception gap over Japan-U.S. relations (Yomiuri) (2) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: Public's disappointment at LDP greater than its expectations of DPJ (Yomiuri) (3) Japan and U.S. carried out joint military drills 74 times in fiscal 2007, with training premised on dispatch of troops (Akahata) (4) Shaky Japan-U.S. alliance: Debate on permanent law on SDF overseas missions stagnant (Yomiuri) (5) Government retracts Diet reply on separation of politics and religion (Yomiuri) (6) TOP HEADLINES (7) EDITORIALS (8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 29 (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: Japanese, Americans hope for change with Obama; Perception gap over Japan-U.S. relations YOMIURI (Page 14-15) (Full) December 18, 2008 A recent joint public opinion survey of the Japanese and American public, conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Gallup Organization, a U.S. pollster, posted a gap between the Japanese and American public views of bilateral relations and mutual trust, with a change for the worse among Japanese and a change for the better among Americans. Both Japanese and Americans have high expectations for a stronger relationship between Japan and the United States along with the incoming administration of President-elect Obama. The poll results also show the possibility of such a perception gap being improved in the New Year and afterward. Questions & Answers (Figures shown in percentage) Q: Is there anything you trust in particular among the following organizations and public entities in your country? If any, pick as many as you like. Japan U.S. Prime minister 21.2 --- Diet 16.8 --- Police, prosecutors 35.8 --- Courts 45.7 --- Self-Defense Forces 29.2 --- Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, churches 36.9 --- Central government offices 16.3 --- Local governments 32.2 --- Schools 37.2 --- Hospitals 48.2 --- Newspapers 52.7 --- TOKYO 00003534 002 OF 011 Television 36.0 --- Big businesses 21.1 --- Labor unions 23.7 --- Other answers (O/A) 0.4 --- Nothing in particular (NIP) 14.3 --- No answer (N/A) 2.8 --- Japan U.S. President --- 45.5 Congress --- 34.9 Police, prosecutors --- 73.5 Courts --- 58.7 Armed services --- 90.5 Churches --- 73.7 Federal government offices --- 42.5 Local governments --- 60.2 Schools --- 67.1 Hospitals --- 79.5 Newspapers --- 52.2 Television --- 48.9 Big businesses --- 28.0 Labor unions --- 44.0 O/A --- 17.6 NIP --- 0.7 N/A --- --- Q: Do you think Japan-U.S. relations are currently in good shape, or do you otherwise think Japan-U.S. relations are in bad shape? Japan U.S. Very good 1.4 10.3 Good 32.4 42.9 Can't say which 29.4 31.8 Bad 28.8 6.2 Very bad 3.1 2.3 N/A 5.0 6.4 Q: Do you trust the U.S.? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 5.7 --- Yes, somewhat 26.0 --- No, not very much 39.0 --- No, not at all 20.5 --- N/A 8.8 --- Q: Do you trust Japan? Japan U.S. Yes, very much --- 18.2 Yes, somewhat --- 48.9 No, not very much --- 18.8 No, not at all --- 11.2 N/A --- 2.9 Q: Do you think America's international credibility became high or low during the U.S. Bush administration over the past eight years? Japan U.S. High 3.3 3.5 High to a certain degree 2.6 11.2 TOKYO 00003534 003 OF 011 Low to a certain degree 14.2 33.3 Low 69.0 50.7 N/A 11.0 1.3 Q: Mr. Obama has been elected to become America's new president. Do you think Japan-U.S. relations will improve or worsen, worsen, or remain unchanged from now on, with President-elect Obama and his administration coming into office? Japan U.S. Improve very much 2.1 10.4 Improve 25.7 39.8 Remain unchanged 51.1 32.3 Worsen 10.7 8.6 Worsen very much 0.1 3.8 N/A 10.3 5.1 Q: Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the U.S.-led process of reconstruction and security maintenance in Iraq? Japan U.S. Very satisfied 1.1 11.0 Somewhat satisfied 6.8 33.2 Somewhat dissatisfied 35.9 25.9 Very dissatisfied 43.5 28.8 N/A 12.8 1.1 Q: The U.S. has fallen into a financial crisis due to the issue of subprime lending for the low-income bracket. Do you think the U.S. economy's credibility has declined due to this financial crisis? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 63.9 53.1 Yes, somewhat 19.2 32.0 No, not very much 5.4 11.5 No, not at all 3.5 2.7 N/A 8.1 0.7 Q: To what extent do you think the U.S. financial crisis will have a negative impact on the global economy? Japan U.S. Very much 62.8 55.0 Somewhat 20.3 35.4 Not very much 3.1 6.4 Not at all 1.0 1.8 N/A 12.8 1.4 Q: If there is a country or area that you think will become a military threat to your country, pick as many as you like from among those listed below. Japan U.S. U.S. 25.2 --- Japan --- 28.4 South Korea 19.9 30.5 China 58.8 63.1 ASEAN 12.1 33.8 EU 6.3 12.9 Russia 43.1 59.8 Taiwan 5.8 13.4 North Korea 74.1 65.2 TOKYO 00003534 004 OF 011 India 12.2 11.9 Middle East 24.8 76.2 Oceania 2.7 5.6 Africa 4.1 16.5 Central and South America 6.7 16.8 O/A 0.2 21.3 NIP 7.4 6.4 N/A 5.2 --- (Note) ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations; EU = European Union; Oceania = Australia, New Zealand, etc. Q: Do you think the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty contributes to security in the Asia-Pacific region? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 23.5 18.9 Yes, somewhat 36.2 58.3 No, not very much 16.5 11.0 No, not at all 7.0 3.4 N/A 16.8 8.4 Q: Do you fear that a large-scale terrorist attack may occur in Japan like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 19.3 --- Yes, somewhat 39.8 --- No, not very much 22.1 --- No, not at all 16.0 --- N/A 2.7 Q: Do you fear that another large-scale terrorist attack may occur in the U.S. like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.? Japan U.S. Yes, very much --- 26.1 Yes, somewhat --- 43.1 No, not very much --- 17.7 No, not at all --- 12.7 N/A --- 0.5 Q: Do you think Japan contributes to the international community's ongoing efforts in the war on terror? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 13.4 5.1 Yes, somewhat 35.6 39.5 No, not very much 27.4 35.6 No, not at all 12.4 13.7 N/A 11.1 6.1 Q: Japan has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the Indian Ocean, where they are refueling multinational force ships. Do you support the MSDF's continued refueling activities there? Japan U.S. Yes 29.8 30.1 Yes to a certain degree 13.7 28.8 No to a certain degree 9.9 15.4 No 33.7 18.1 N/A 12.9 7.6 TOKYO 00003534 005 OF 011 Q: What do you think the Japanese and U.S. governments should work together to address on a priority basis among issues over North Korea? If any, pick as many as you like from among those listed. Japan U.S. Stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons 89.1 89.9 Stop North Korea from developing and launching missiles 85.0 85.9 Resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea 87.1 69.9 Normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea 45.2 --- Normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea --- 80.3 Extend economic cooperation to North Korea 24.5 32.5 Change North Korea's political, economic systems 49.1 59.8 O/A 0.6 6.7 NIP 1.4 2.3 N/A 2.1 --- Q: Do you think Japan and the U.S. have been able to work together for a solution to the abduction issue? Japan U.S. Yes, fully 2.5 17.4 Yes, somewhat 13.9 36.4 No, not very much 46.7 28.8 No, not at all 30.4 6.0 N/A 6.5 11.5 Q: Do you think Japan-China relations are currently in good shape? Japan U.S. Very good 1.0 --- Good 25.2 --- Can't say which 28.7 --- Bad 37.3 --- Very bad 3.4 --- N/A 4.4 --- Q: Do you think U.S.-China relations are currently in good shape? Japan U.S. Very good --- 4.9 Good --- 28.0 Can't say which --- 49.4 Bad --- 10.8 Very bad --- 4.6 N/A --- 2.2 Q: Do you trust China? Japan U.S. Yes, very much 1.6 3.6 Yes, somewhat 13.4 34.4 No, not very much 37.9 32.9 No, not at all 39.2 28.6 N/A 7.9 0.5 Q: Which country between the U.S. and China do you think will be more important to Japan in the political area from now on? TOKYO 00003534 006 OF 011 Japan U.S. U.S. 46.3 --- China 30.1 --- Both countries are important 13.1 --- N/A 10.6 --- Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more important to the U.S. in the political area from now on? Japan U.S. Japan --- 42.8 China --- 50.8 Both countries are important --- 2.2 N/A --- 4.3 Q: Which country between the U.S. and China do you think will be more important to Japan in the economic area from now on? Japan U.S. U.S. 32.6 --- China 48.5 --- Both countries are important 10.3 --- N/A 8.6 --- Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more important to the U.S. in the economic area from now on? Japan U.S. Japan --- 31.6 China --- 62.6 Both countries are important --- 1.8 N/A --- 4.1 Q: Do you think the government of your country has been making proactive efforts to prevent global warming? Japan U.S. Yes 24.6 13.2 Yes to a certain degree 22.3 37.0 No to a certain degree 15.5 21.4 No 32.1 25.9 N/A 5.4 2.5 Q: Do you think the U.S. government has been making proactive efforts to prevent global warming? Japan U.S. Yes 8.5 --- Yes to a certain degree 7.4 --- No to a certain degree 12.9 --- No 60.1 --- N/A 11.1 --- Q: Do you think the Japanese government has been making proactive efforts to prevent global warming? Japan U.S. Yes --- 12.9 Yes to a certain degree --- 32.7 No to a certain degree --- 18.7 No --- 20.5 N/A --- 15.2 TOKYO 00003534 007 OF 011 Polling methodology: The survey was conducted over the telephone on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis both in Japan and in the U.S. Japan Date of survey: Nov. 14-17. Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 20 and over. Number of valid respondents: 1,025 persons. Breakdown of respondents: Male-49 PERCENT , female-51 PERCENT . U.S. Date of survey: Nov. 14-23. Subjects of survey: Voting population aged 18 and over. Number of valid respondents: 1,010 persons. Breakdown of respondents: Male-51 PERCENT , female-49 PERCENT . (2) Yomiuri-Waseda poll: Public's disappointment at LDP greater than its expectations of DPJ YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged) December 20, 2008 The public seems to be in favor of seeing a change in government by allowing the ruling and opposition parties to trade places. What lies behind this shift in the public's attitude is a feeling of disappointment at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that outweighs its expectations of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto). This public mindset was revealed by a Dec. 6-7 face-to-face joint public opinion survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun and Waseda University. Still, there was no extreme difference between the public's overall images of the two parties when it came to the degree of expectation and satisfaction. This seems to be why those distancing themselves from the LDP will not immediately come around to become backers of the DPJ. The next general election for the House of Representatives will be an opportunity for voters to choose between the ruling and opposition parties. Ahead of the election, the Yomiuri Shimbun and Waseda University conducted a joint poll to probe the public's image of the LDP and the DPJ and to explore how such might be reflected in their voting behavior. In the survey, respondents were asked if they had felt satisfaction or disappointment toward the LDP and the DPJ in the past, and if they had feelings of expectancy or uneasiness toward the two parties, looking toward the future. Asked about the LDP in the past, 20 PERCENT answered that they had been satisfied, but the degree of disappointment reached 69 PERCENT . When it came to the future image of the LDP, 42 PERCENT held expectations toward the party, while 86 PERCENT had a sense of uneasiness. As for the public image of the DPJ in the past, 17 PERCENT said they felt satisfied, while 48 PERCENT were disappointed. Asked about the DPJ in the future, 55 PERCENT had positive expectations, while 75 PERCENT felt uneasy. As for the degree of public disappointment, the LDP was 21 points higher than the DPJ. The DPJ was 13 points higher than the LDP when it came to the public's expectations of the parties in the future. For the survey, a total of 3,000 persons were chosen from among the nation's voting population. Answers were obtained from 1,747 persons (58.2 PERCENT ). TOKYO 00003534 008 OF 011 (3) Japan and U.S. carried out joint military drills 74 times in fiscal 2007, with training premised on dispatch of troops AKAHATA (Page 2) (Excerpt) December 30, 2008 This newspaper has learned through a information-disclosure request from a document revealed by the Ministry of Defense that in fiscal 2007, the U.S. forces in Japan and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) carried out joint exercises that totaled 74 times, amounting to at least 530 work days. This exceeds the joint training carried out in fiscal 2006 (353 days, 54 times). With the U.S. force realignment in Japan and the missile defense system, the Japanese and U.S. militaries are becoming as one, and training is accumulating gradually that is premised on overseas dispatches of troops. The large increase in the number of days of training compared to fiscal 2006 is because joint exercises were carried out by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the United States. (4) Shaky Japan-U.S. alliance: Debate on permanent law on SDF overseas missions stagnant YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) December 24, 2008 The Self-Defense Force (SDF) is now involved in four kinds of international contributions, including the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling service in the Indian Ocean, after its troops were withdrawn from Iraq. The international community expects Japan to make additional contributions, including aid to help reconstruct Afghanistan, but Japan has yet to make satisfactory legal preparations for SDF overseas missions. Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye, who served as assistant secretary of defense under the U.S. Clinton administration of the Democratic Party, stated in a meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 18: "I know there are constitutional restrictions, but Japan has wonderful military power. We expect Japan to offer assistance in fighting piracy and tackling other challenges. I hope Japan will expand the framework (of SDF missions). For SDF missions overseas, the government applies the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Law or needs to prepare a special measures law in a specific case. Last year, the government was forced to withdraw the MSDF vessels engaged in the refueling mission from the Indian Ocean following the expiration of the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law authorizing the MSDF operation. Keeping such a possibility in mind, the government and the ruling camp have started work to lay down a permanent law (a general law) that stipulates conditions for SDF overseas missions. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito, though, have different views about standards on the use of weapons and other issues. The government, whose political base has significantly weakened, does not want to create a new bone of contention. The ruling camp's project team on permanent legislation has not even met since the team announced its interim report in June. Democratic Party of Japan President Ozawa has revealed his idea that the dispatch of SDF troops should be allowed only for operations based on a UN resolution or UN approval. But the LDP has insisted TOKYO 00003534 009 OF 011 that it must be made possible for the government to dispatch troops from the viewpoint of the Japan-U.S. alliance, even without a UN resolution." Although debate on permanent legislation remains stagnant, preparations are steadily getting underway for SDF troops to go on overseas missions. The Central Readiness Force (CRF),which serves as an advance party for PKO overseas, was in training at the Ground Self-Defense Force Utsunomiya camp on Dec. 17, when Air Self-Defense Force troops were pulled out of Iraq. This CRF has been placed under the command of GSDF Central Readiness Command since PKO was designated as one of the SDF's main duties. About 700 CRF members had received injections against about 10 types of diseases, including yellow fever. It took six months until troops were actually dispatched after the decision was made, but Commander Masaharu Yamamoto said: "It could have been done in half that period." As long as Japan is experiencing political gridlock, CRF members will never have a chance to play their role. No progress has been made on the issue of interpretation of the right to collective self-defense, either. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer made this remark in a forum in Tokyo on Dec. 9: "If an Asian country fires a missile targeting the U.S., will an intercept-capable Japanese destroyer shoot it down? If Japan's reply is 'no,' the U.S. will have to deploy two destroyers, one for a missile directed at Japan and another for a missile heading toward the U.S. The American people would find it difficult to understand such a situation." The ambassador indicated his concern about the future of the Japan-U.S. alliance before departing post with the inauguration of the Obama administration. (5) Government retracts Diet reply on separation of politics and religion YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) December 25, 2008 The government decided in a cabinet meeting yesterday to withdraw a Diet reply regarding the principle of separation of religion and politics made by Cabinet Legislation Bureau Director General Reiichi Miyazaki during a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee. This decision was made in response to a written inquiry by House of Councillors member Natsuo Yamaguchi of the New Komeito. It is quite unusual for the Cabinet Legislation Bureau responsible for interpreting the Constitution and laws to retract its chief's Diet reply. Citing the case of Shinrito, a religious group headed by the founder of Aum Shinrikyo, Democratic Party of Japan Deputy President Kan made this question in a meeting of the Budget Committee on Oct. 7: "If (lawmakers backed by members of the religious group) hold a majority (in the Diet, etc.) and try to spread the key tenet of Aum Shinrikyo by exerting its authority, does it come under a violation TOKYO 00003534 010 OF 011 of the principle of separation of religion from politics?" In response, Miyazaki said: "It violates the principle." In reaction, Yamaguchi noted in the written inquiry: "(Miyazaki) applied a certain law in reply to a question made on the basis of supposition. That was inappropriate." The government's written reply indicated its conventional view that even if those who belong to a political party supported by a religious group assume political power, it does not come under the category of use of political power by the religious group. The written reply also noted: "The remark might be taken as showing a change in the government's view, so the Cabinet Legislation Bureau retracts the remark." (6) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: China to build first aircraft carrier Mainichi: Those convicted of minor offenses to be sentenced to community service Yomiuri: Failure in Shinkansen system affects New Year travelers Nikkei: Foreign direct investment declines 40 PERCENT in April-October period; Inflows in fiscal 2008 to mark yearly drop first time in five years Sankei: Government to resume purchase of nonperforming loans Tokyo Shimbun: Many jobseekers visit Job-placement offices Akahata: Temporary village to be set up at Hibiya Party from Dec. 31 through Jan. 5 for those who lost job or home (7) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) National Diet Library: System should be upgraded (2) Grassroots movement needed to prevent doping Mainichi: (1) Mid-term financial prospect: Fiscal reconstruction necessary for future (2) Crimes by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry: Reflect on conducts and stand on people's side Yomiuri: (1) Actively use public funds to restore banks' lending capability (2) Air strikes in Gaza: Will spiral of retaliation resume? Nikkei: (1) Economic environment changes violently over the year Sankei: (1) Review of 2008: Government urged to reconstruct safety networks TOKYO 00003534 011 OF 011 Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Retrospect of 2008: Bill for no change of government running up Akahata: (1) Government ready to change procedures for authorization of school textbooks for worse (8) Prime Minister's schedule, December 29 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) December 30, 2008 10:02 Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho. 12:52 Arrived at his private office in Nagata-cho. 18:16 Visited a tailor in Kita-Aoyama. 18:36 Dined at a Japanese restaurant at the Imperial Hotel with his secretaries and others. 21:03 Went to a bar in the hotel with his secretaries and others. 22:44 Returned to his private residence. ZUMWALT