JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/13/08

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 02/13/08 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) Okinawa incident: 4) Prime Minister Fukuda in meeting with Secretary Rice to press for stronger USFJ discipline and measures to stop recurrences of rape incidents in Okinawa (Mainichi) 5) Government protests alleged rape incident in Okinawa to American Embassy charge d'affaires (Tokyo Shimbun) 6) Naha consul general, Marine commandant apologize to Okinawa governor for Marine incident (Asahi) 7) Okinawa Prefecture sends letter to U.S. military on Okinawa seeking measures to stop rape incidents from reoccurring (Yomiuri) 8) Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to issue protest resolution against Marine incident (Mainichi) 9) Okinawa protests widen (Asahi) 10) 250 demonstrators gather to protest Marine incident (Mainichi) 11) Arrested Marine: "I thought she was an adult" (Asahii) 12) Prime Minister's exchange in the Diet on the Okinawa incident (Mainichi) 13) Foreign Ministry dispatching top official to Okinawa (Yomiuri) 14) Opposition parties issue protest messages, with some lawmakers calling for reducing U.S. bases (Tokyo Shimbun) 15) Government shocked by alleged rape incident in Okinawa, concerned it could derail USFJ realignment process (Tokyo Shimbun) 16) Rape incident puts Futenma relocation plan in peril (Sankei) 17) USFJ housing at Sasebo paid for by Japanese road taxes (Mainichi) 18) Democratic Party of Japan President Ozawa seeks to check growing enmity toward him in the party over choice of Bank of Japan governor (Mainichi) 19) Former FSA minister Ito picked as prime ministerial assistant for social welfare (Yomiuri) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Bridgestone suspects 150 million yen paid as bribes in 20 projects Mainichi: Okinawa prefectural assembly set to adopt protest resolution over alleged rape of 14-year-old girl by U.S. Marine; Top U.S. military official in Okinawa apologizes Yomiuri: Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to begin offering subsidies to cover pay for obstetricians at financially troubled hospitals in rural areas TOKYO 00000371 002 OF 012 Nikkei: Fujifilm to acquire Toyama Chemical Sankei: China conducting internal investigation into tainted gyoza dumpling case, aiming to resolve it before Hu's Japan visit Tokyo Shimbun: Shinginko Tokyo to ask metropolitan government for 30-40 billion yen Akahata: U.S. Marine rapes14-year-old junior high school girl in Okinawa 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Schoolgirl rape: Okinawa's patience running out (2) Carrot-and-stick approach worked in Iwakuni mayoral race Mainichi: (1) Okinawa rape: Heinous crime must not be repeated (2) Afghanistan: Discord in NATO worries us Yomiuri: (1) Government must take time on consumer affairs reform (2) Lowering patent fees will help reduce corporate burden Nikkei: (1) Why another incident in Okinawa? (2) Centralized administration for consumer affairs essential Sankei: (1) Fallout of Okinawa rape must be minimized so as not to affect overall U.S. force realignment plan (2) Toxic gyoza scare underlines importance of "food terrorism" viewpoint Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Another rape in Okinawa (2) New chairman of Japan Federation of Bar Associations must continue pursuing reform Akahata: (1) U.S. Marine's heinous crime unforgivable 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, February 11 and 12 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) February 13, 2008 Feb. 11 Spent whole day at his official residence. Feb. 12 08:10 Met at Kantei with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Ono. TOKYO 00000371 003 OF 012 08:31 Attended cabinet meeting in the Diet building. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Masuzoe remained in the office. 09:03 Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 12:18 Met at Kantei with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. 13:04 Attended Lower House Budget Committee session. 17:19 Met at Kantei with Special Advisor Nakayama. Held talks on phone with British Prime Minister Brown. 18:08 Attended meeting of the consumer administration promotion council. 19:28 Returned to his official residence. 4) Prime Minister Fukuda to ask U.S. to take measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents when meeting with U.S. secretary of state MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 Yudai Nakazawa, Ken Utsuka As part of the efforts to deal with the recent rape of a junior high school girl in Okinawa, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday decided to ask the U.S. side to strengthen discipline among U.S. military personnel, for instance, by tightening the current U.S. military's program to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents, when he is expected to meet with Secretary of State Rice on Feb. 26. The government is alarmed by the possible impact of the incident on the realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan. Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka summoned Joseph Donovan, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, to his ministry and filed a protest with him. Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera will visit Okinawa today and ask Lt. General Richard Zilmer, the commander of the U.S. forces in Okinawa, and other U.S. officials to take measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. After the rape of an elementary school girl by three U.S. Marines in the northern part of Okinawa in September 1995, U.S. forces in Japan created a program to prevent a recurrence, but the details of the program have not been made clear so far. Late yesterday, Fukuda, speaking of the latest rape, told reporters: "Is it all right to simply follow past measures? I think various ideas are necessary. While conferring with municipalities in Okinawa, I want to address the matter seriously." These remarks are taken to mean that Fukuda, based on the desires of the Okinawa people, intends to ask the U.S. side to come up with specific and effective measures. Meanwhile, Yabunaka yesterday conveyed dismay to Donovan over the incident. After the session with Yabunaka, Donovan told the press: "I apologize to the victim and her family for the incident. We will TOKYO 00000371 004 OF 012 fully cooperate with the Japanese government in order to shed light on the entire incident." 5) Japan to call for all-out preventive measures; Gov't lodges strong protest with U.S. Embassy's charge d'affaires TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, attending the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting yesterday afternoon, referred to the recent incident in which a third-year junior high school girl was raped by an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine. "It's truly regrettable," Fukuda stated before the committee. "We must make a strong request to the United States so that this kind of incident will never happen again," he added. With this, Fukuda stressed that the Japanese government would strongly ask the U.S. government to take thoroughgoing measures to prevent such an incident from recurring. In this connection, Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka called in U.S. Charge d'Affaires Donovan to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a strong protest. "We have asked the United States time and again to prevent such an incident from recurring," Yabunaka told Donovan. "Nevertheless," Yabunaka went on, "a U.S. serviceman has been arrested." He added, "It is extremely regrettable." Donovan expressed his "heartfelt sympathy" to the victim and her family. He promised to extend full-fledged cooperation on investigations. U.S. Forces Japan Deputy Commander Flock, who was present with Donovan, stressed: "The U.S. military would never tolerate any kind of sexual violence." 6) U.S. officers, including consul general, apologize to Okinawa governor ASAHI (Page 35) (Full) February 13, 2008 Following the arrest of an Okinawa-based Marine Corps sergeant on suspicion of raping a junior high school girl, U.S. Consul General in Okinawa Kevin Maher and Marine Corps Bases Japan Commander Lt. General Richard Zilmer called on Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima at the prefectural government office last evening. Zilmer said: "I deeply regret the incident involving a 14-year-old girl." He then promised to make utmost efforts to prevent similar incidents. During the meeting with the two American officers, which started a little past 6:00 p.m. and lasted for about 15 minutes, Governor Nakaima kept a stone-like expression, hardly looking them in the eye. Zilmer explained a plan to give education on ethics and behavior to all Marines under him during this week, saying: "Taking the incident seriously, we will fully cooperate with the police investigation and bring out the truth. We would like to maintain good relations with you as our good friends." Looking at his notes, Nakaima stated: "I find it truly regrettable that this kind of incident occurred again. I want you to strengthen discipline and give thorough education, as well as to do your best to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents." 7) Rape of girl by U.S. Marine: Okinawa Prefecture submits written TOKYO 00000371 005 OF 012 request to U.S. military to prevent recurrence YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 A third-year junior high school girl, 14, was sexually assaulted by a U.S. Marine in Okinawa Prefecture. The Okinawa Prefectural Policy referred Tyrone Hadnott, 38, a staff sergeant belonging to the U.S. Marines' Camp Courtney, to the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office on suspicion of rape. The police are now collecting evidence, including seizing the car allegedly used in the crime. In protest against the incident, the prefectural government the same day submitted to the U.S. military a letter of request calling for the prevention of a recurrence. Lt. General Richard Zilmer, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan, visited Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and offered an apology, noting, "I sincerely regret the incident." 8) Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to adopt resolution of protest against alleged rape of girl by U.S. Marine; Top commander of U.S. forces in Okinawa apologizes MAINICHI (Top play) (Full) February 13, 2008 Teruhisa Mimori, Junichiro Nagasawa Lt. General Richard Zilmer, the top commander of U.S. forces in Okinawa, and U.S. Consul General Kevin Maher yesterday evening visited Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima at his prefectural government office and apologized for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by a U.S. Marine, who has been arrested by the Okinawa police. The Okinawa prefectural government has filed a protest with the U.S. side against the incident and asked it to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. The prefectural assembly also intends to adopt a resolution of protest. In meeting with Gov. Nakaima, Lt. General Zilmer said, "I deeply deplore that such an incident occurred. I am worried about the damage to the 14-year-old girl and her family," and stressed: "I will give all U.S. Marines stationed in Japan instructions about morals and daily activities and discipline them." Also, Zilmer said, "I would like you to understand that the incident contradicts the values shared among the U.S. military personnel," and sought the Japanese side's understanding. Consul General Maher, as well, apologized for the incident by saying, "The United States government takes the incident seriously." Nakaima told them: "It is an extremely serious incident. Now that the Okinawa people's rage has erupted, there may be a serious impact on base issues. I would like you to take every measure to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents." Meanwhile, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly's Special Committee on U.S. Military Bases is expected to adopt a resolution of protest against the incident and a written request calling on the U.S. military to compensate the victim and strengthen discipline among U.S. military personnel after discussing both. The resolution and the request are both to be expected to be adopted by a full session of the prefectural assembly slated for tomorrow. TOKYO 00000371 006 OF 012 The man who has been arrested and sent to prosecutors is Tyrone Hadnott (38),a staff sergeant who belongs to Camp Courtney and who lives in Kitanakagukusu Village, Okinawa. According to the police investigation, Hadnott is suspected of raping a 14-year-old junior high school girl in his car parked on a street in front of a park in Chatan Town, Okinawa. Reportedly, Hadnott denied the allegations and insisted, "I kissed and touched her in the car, but I did not rape her." He also reportedly said, "I did not think she was underage." Allegedly Hadnott spoke to the girl in the city of Okinawa and took her with him by telling her, "I will take you home." 9) Alleged raping of girl by U.S. soldier: Increasing number of local governments adopting resolutions protesting incident; U.S. Embassy charge expresses regret ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 A U.S. Marine (38) has been arrested on suspicion of raping a third-year junior high school student (14). Following the incident, the Naha Assembly on Feb. 12 adopted a resolution calling for an apology to the victim. Such a move is spreading to other local governments in Okinawa. The Naha City Assembly on the 12th unanimously adopted a resolution protesting the incident that will be sent to the commander of the U.S. forces stationed in Japan and a written statement addressed to the prime minister. Both missives criticize the incident, noting that the assembly strongly feels indignant toward the unchanging nature of the U.S. forces in Japan and the U.S. servicemen who commit such incidents Both call for and apology, a consolidation and reduction of U.S. bases, and a drastic revision of the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA). Senior prefectural government officials, including Education Board Chairman Morikazu Nakamura, visited Camp Zukeran on the 12th and filed a protest on the incident. They called on the U.S. side to do its utmost to prevent a recurrence. The assemblies of Okinawa City, where the victim met the suspect, and Chatan Town, where she was allegedly sexually assaulted, presented resolutions on the 12th protesting the incident and prepared written statements. Both will likely be adopted at their extraordinary assembly sessions on the 13th. The prefectural assembly will also adopt a similar resolution at a regular assembly session to be held on Feb. 14. Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka called in U.S. Embassy Charge Joseph Donovan and conveyed his regret to him. He also asked him to take thorough measures to tighten discipline and prevent a recurrence. Regarding an investigation into the incident, Yabunaka noted that the Japanese side would deal with the matter properly, based on Japanese law and evidence, and seeking the cooperation of the U.S. side. He also asked Donovan to convey this policy to Ambassador Schieffer. Donovan said, "The incident was regrettable. The U.S. takes to heart what happened. We would like to offer a sincere sympathy to the victim and her family." He added, "We will fully cooperate in the investigation by the Japanese side. Regarding measures to prevent recurrence, Prime Minister Fukuda told TOKYO 00000371 007 OF 012 reporters, "We must use our resourcefulness, including the question of whether it is all right to take the same approach as before. I would like to tackle the issue properly this time." 10) 250 gather together for protest rally MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 Takeshi Noda In reaction to the rape of a junior high school girl, the civic group Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center and other organizations held an emergency rally yesterday evening in front of Camp Zukeran, where the United States Marine Corps headquarters is located. Camp Zukeran is situated in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa. The rally was participated in by some 250 labor union members and others. Shikou Sakiyama, chairman of the Okinawa Heiwa Undou Center, declared a strong protest against the incident by saying, "Following the 1995 rape of an elementary school girl, an incident that must not reoccur has taken place. It is an absolutely unforgivable crime." After the rally, participants marched in a demonstration in front of the base. 11) U.S. marine accused of raping girl: "I thought she was an adult" ASAHI (Page 35) (Full) February 13, 2008 In questioning by police in Okinawa Prefecture, Tyrone Hadnott, 38, an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant who was arrested on suspicion of raping a junior high school student, 14, said: "I thought she was over 20." According to investigators, the girl attempted to run way from him, but Hadnott forced her into his car after chasing her down and he then drove around. Hadnott told police in the questioning: "When I looked at her, I thought the girl was over 20, so I spoke to her." When a police interrogator told him that the girl was a junior high school student, he seemed surprised. The suspect is also quoted as saying: "I caused trouble for my country by committing this kind of incident." The suspect has admitted that he touched her body but denied the allegation, saying: "I never raped her." According to investigators, Hadnott took her to his house by motorbike and they then drove around by van. The girl told him a lie: "My house is near here, so let me off around here," but Hadnott forced her to get into the van again, saying: "Let me know your phone number," and "Let's go for a drive." The police handed the suspect over to the Naha district public prosecutors office yesterday. 12) In Lower House Budget Committee meeting, Eda of New Komeito: "Rape incident by U.S. Marine unforgivable;" Fukuda: "We will deal with the case based on Japanese law" MAINICHI (Page 27) (Excerpts) February 13, 2008 TOKYO 00000371 008 OF 012 Mikio Shimoji (People's New Party, Sozo): The rape incident involving a junior high school girl by a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant is unforgivable. We must seriously face the fact that the steps taken to prevent any recurrence (following similar incidents in the past) have produced no results. How about taking such measures as having Okinawa Prefecture Police and the U.S. military jointly go on patrol in shopping and amusement districts on every weekend? Prime Minister Fukuda: Since the idea of joint patrol seems effective, we would like to also consider the measure in discussions. Yasuyuki Eda (New Komeito): The U.S. Marine rape incident is absolutely unforgivable. We strongly demand that steps be taken to prevent similar incidents. Fukuda: The government will hold full negotiations with the U.S. We will do our best to clear up the truth of the incident and to do our best to come up with preventive measures. We will deal with the case based on Japanese law and the evidence. 13) Government to dispatch senior vice foreign minister to Okinawa for talks with U.S. military on alleged rape of junior high school girl by U.S. serviceman YOMIURI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 Following the incident in which a junior high school girl was sexually assaulted by a U.S. Marine, the government on Feb. 12 decided to dispatch Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera to Okinawa on the 13th for talks with prefectural and U.S. military sources. Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka on the afternoon of the 12th summoned Joseph Donovan, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, to the Foreign Ministry. He lodged a protest with him, noting, "It is extremely regrettable that a U.S. serviceman was arrested over an incident like this. I would like to ask you to take steps to tighten discipline and prevent a recurrence." Donovan offered an apology, saying, "What happened is deplorable. We take it seriously." He conveyed that the U.S. government is ready to fully cooperate in the investigation by the Japanese side. Ambassador Schieffer will visit Okinawa today and hold talks with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. 14) Opposition parties express regret, call for base reduction TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) February 13, 2008 Concerning the recent schoolgirl rape in Okinawa, all opposition parties in the Diet yesterday called for reviewing the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and scaling back on U.S. military bases in Japan. Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto), told reporters, "It is very regrettable that such a scandal has happened again." He also said, "If Japan and the United States are not on an equal footing to talk about base issues and scandals, that's a big problem." Yoshio Hachiro, foreign minister in the DPJ's TOKYO 00000371 009 OF 012 shadow cabinet, commented: "The Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement is said to be unequal. However, the government has only improved its implementation of SOFA provisions instead of revising it. This remains an obstacle to the reduction of similar crimes." Tadayoshi Ichida, chief of the Japanese Communist Party's secretariat, told reporters, "There are heinous crimes in places SIPDIS where there are U.S. military bases, and this is the reality of Japan as a country of military bases." With this, Ichida called for reducing and removing U.S. military bases in Japan and carrying out a drastic review of the SOFA. Mizuho Fukushima, president of the Social Democratic Party (Shaminto),also told reporters, "U.S. military bases and women's human rights cannot stand together." She added, "We will need a drastic revision of the SOFA." Hisaoki Kamei, secretary general of the People's New Party, said, "We want to ask the United States to take strict action." 15) Marine rape in Okinawa shocks gov't over realignment TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged) February 13, 2008 A U.S. Marine based in Okinawa-Japan's southernmost island prefecture-has been arrested on suspicion of raping a local girl. On the sidelines of this rape incident, the government is now desperately trying to minimize the repercussions on Japan-U.S. relations, including the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. The incident reminds local people of an incident in 1995 in which three Okinawa-based U.S. Marines gang-raped a local schoolgirl. This time as well, Okinawa's local communities are erupting in anger. Okinawa will likely call for Tokyo to review its U.S. military realignment plans, such as the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture's central city of Ginowan, and to revise the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. The government yesterday requested the U.S. Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Donovan and other U.S. officials again to enforce discipline and take preventive steps in a thoroughgoing way. The government will send Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera to Okinawa Prefecture today in order to lodge a direct protest and request with U.S. forces in Okinawa. Meanwhile, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the city of Iwakuni held a mayoral election on Feb. 10, with the focus on the advisability of accepting the proposed relocation of U.S. carrier-borne fighter jets to the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni Air Station. In the end, a candidate in favor of hosting U.S. jets won the mayoral race. The government then expected to see progress in the planned realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. Shortly thereafter, the rape took place. The government is therefore greatly shocked. "I wonder if we can hold down the negative impact on Japan-U.S. relations," Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura said. "I can't say there will be no impact," he added. Above all, the government is nervous about the deterioration of feelings toward the United States in the nation's local communities hosting U.S. military bases. After the 1995 Okinawa rape, the United States did not comply with the Japanese government's request to turn over the suspects. At the time, Okinawa's local communities held a rally of 85,000 local residents in protest of the incident. As seen from that, Okinawa's TOKYO 00000371 010 OF 012 local sentiment exploded in pursuit of reducing the U.S. military presence on the island. In the following year, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to relocate Futenma airfield. More than 10 years later, however, Futenma airfield has yet to be relocated. The government and Okinawa are now finally at the stage of reaching a basic agreement to start an environmental impact assessment. Okinawa Prefecture and its base-hosting localities have been calling for the government to move the construction site of a newly planned alternative facility to the sea. The government and Okinawa remain divided over the relocation site. The incident this time could make it even more difficult for Tokyo and Okinawa to iron out their differences. At the time of the 1995 incident, the SOFA was called into question over its stipulation that the United States would retain custody of suspect prior to indictment. 16) Rape incident casts pall on Futenma relocation plan SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts) February 13, 2008 The alleged rape of a 14-year-old junior high schoolgirl in Okinawa by a U.S. Marine has cast a pall over the government's effort to realign U.S. forces in Japan. The central and Okinawa governments are in agreement to begin an environmental impact assessment this month in the sea area around Camp Schwab in Nago, the relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. The government's failure to take fundamental steps to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident might draw strong protest from people in Okinawa and eventually stall the relocation plan. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in a House of Representatives Budget Committee session yesterday afternoon condemned the incident, saying: "We must strongly urge the United States to take steps to absolutely prevent a recurrence of a similar incident." Angry views emerged from opposition party members, including Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa, who described the repetition of incidents as "truly regrettable." In the wake of Sunday's Iwakuni mayoral race in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in which a candidate supporting the relocation of a carrier-based air wing, won, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura elatedly said: "The stage has been set for U.S. force realignment to move forward steadily." The government is now busy calming down a new storm. The latest incident reminded government and ruling party executives of the 1995 rape of a schoolgirl in Okinawa by U.S. servicemen. The incident sparked a huge demonstration by local residents demanding the return of U.S. bases in the prefecture that eventually resulted in a Japan-U.S. agreement to return Futenma Air Station. In yesterday's press conference, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba even suggested a plan for Japan and the United States to jointly study steps to prevent a recurrence. His suggestion comes from strong mistrust of U.S. efforts that have failed to prevent a recurrence. Moving the deadlocked U.S. force realignment plan forward is one of the top priorities for the Fukuda cabinet. That is why the administration has pursued dialogue-oriented policy toward relevant local governments. If trust in U.S. forces in Japan wavers, such TOKYO 00000371 011 OF 012 efforts of the government would go down the drain. 17) 2.8 billion yen from road-use revenue disbursed for relocation of U.S. military housing in Sasebo MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) February 13, 2008 It was learned yesterday in a question-and-answer session of the House of Representatives that about 2.8 billion yen from the provisional tax revenue for road construction had been disbursed for the relocation of U.S. military housing in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The relocation of the military housing was needed for construction of a West-Kyushu motorway. Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba and other officials admitted to the fact by responding to a question by Nobuto Hosaka of the Social Democratic Party. A total of 11 military housing units were relocated within Sasebo due to the construction of an interchange. Hosaka questioned: "About 250 million yen was spent for the construction of one housing unit, which is too luxurious." Fuyushiba stressed that there was no problem, responding: "The relocation site was chosen at the request of the U.S. military side, which wanted their housing near the base. For land acquisition, 1.4 billion yen was needed." Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba also stated: "It was done to compensate for the relocation. Housing was built on a small plot of land. So they are not luxurious. 18) DPJ President Ozawa seeks to constrain internal opposition to promotion of Muto to BOJ governor MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) February 13, 2008 When asked by reporters yesterday about his view on the idea of separating monetary policy from financial authorities, something intertwined with the selection of governor of the Bank of Japan, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President Ichiro Ozawa said: "At present, since (financial authorities) issue government deficit bonds worth as much as 1,000 trillion yen, they are closely related to monetary policy. There is a view that the issue cannot be resolved by the idea of separating monetary policy from financial authorities." Ozawa appears to have made the remark in an attempt to constrain some members in his party opposing the party's policy of going along with the promotion of current BOJ Vice Governor Toshiro Muto to the post of BOJ governor. Meanwhile, the DPJ's financial affairs department yesterday came up with four conditions for the criteria for deciding on a BOJ governor: A person should be independent from the government and Diet, well-versed in the domestic and international financial situations, have crisis management capability, and have communication skills with markets. The panel did not refer to the idea of separating monetary policy from financial authorities in consideration of Muto. 19) Former Financial Services Agency head Ito named special advisor to prime minister on social security YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) TOKYO 00000371 012 OF 012 February 13, 2008 The government yesterday established the post of special advisor to the prime minister on social security and informally decided to appoint Tatsuya Ito, former Financial Services Agency chief, to serve in the new post. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura will reveal the decision in a press conference on Feb. 13. The appointment is scheduled to be announced today. The expectation is that Ito will be in charge of the government's Social Security National Council, which was inaugurated in late last month, as well as responsible for coordination between the government and ruling parties. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda aims to play up efforts by the government and ruling coalition to deal with the pension-records mess, as well as to review the social security system. A high government official told reporters yesterday: "(Ito) is a well-balanced person who is well versed in social security policy but does not belong to any policy clique in the Diet. He has no intention of raising the burden on the public first. We highly valued his cabinet experience." Ito is the fifth person to serve as special advisor to the prime minister, serving alongside Kyoto Nakayama, special advisor on the abduction issue, and Eriko Yamatani, special advisor on education reform. Tatsuya Ito, a Lower House member from the Tokyo No. 22 district and former Financial Services Agency chief, graduated from Keio University. He is now serving in his fifth term in the Diet. He is ¶46. He is a member of the LDP's Tsushima faction. SCHIEFFER