DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 02/25/08

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000491 SIPDIS 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 02/25/08 INDEX: (1) Prime Minister Fukuda, President Lee in their first summit likely to agree to restart regular diplomatic exchanges (Tokyo Shimbun) (2) New Komeito frets over losing clout in divided Diet (Nikkei) (3) 8 parties agree to revise SOFA (Ryukyu Shimpo) (4) Keidanren to approve mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions under industry-specific accumulation method (Nikkei) (5) Koga takes offensive on selection of Nippon Izokukai vice chairmen with eye on accelerating debate on removing Class-A criminals from Yasukuni Shrine (Mainichi) (6) FTC eyes exclusively clamping down on unscrupulous business practices (Yomiuri) (7) NPA says cases of child abuse largest ever in 2007, although decrease in death toll of abused children (Mainichi) (8) Poll on public attitude toward politics (Yomiuri) ARTICLES: (1) Prime Minister Fukuda, President Lee in their first summit likely to agree to restart regular diplomatic exchanges TOKYO SHIMBUN ONLINE (Full) February 25, 2008, 11:38 a.m. Seoul, Kyodo News Service, Feb. 25 Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda this afternoon is to meet at the Blue House in Seoul with new South Korean President Lee Myung Bak immediately after his inauguration as president. Both leaders are expected to agree to restart what they call a "shuttle diplomacy" or both leaders visiting each other on a regular basis, with Lee making a visit to Japan in late April. Fukuda will convey his intention to travel again to South Korea sometime in the latter half of this year, and confirm with Lee to open up a future-oriented, new "Japan-South Korea age," based on a relationship of personal mutual trust. Both leaders are also expected to speed up the work aimed at resuming negotiations as quickly as possible for concluding a bilateral economic partnership agreement (EPA). The negotiations were interrupted in 2004. On the North Korean nuclear issue, both leaders will confirm that Japan, the United States, and South Korea will work in close cooperation through the six-party talks to bring about a peaceful solution. Fukuda, based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, will brief Lee on Japan's policy of normalizing diplomatic ties after resolving the abduction, nuclear, and missile issue, and seek Lee's understanding. (2) New Komeito frets over losing clout in divided Diet NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) TOKYO 00000491 002 OF 010 February 25, 2008 The New Komeito, the Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, is visibly frustrated as its say declines in the divided Diet, where the ruling coalition does not hold a majority in the House of Councillors. Although the New Komeito leadership, including Representative Akihiro Ota, advocates closer cooperation with the LDP, frustration is bubbling up in the party about the party's inability to demonstrate its own policy identity. The option of forming a grand alliance between the LDP and the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) might come up again, and political realignment might occur after the next House of Representatives election. The New Komeito, however, has yet to come up with any game plan to deal with such an eventuality. Ota has recently repeatedly played up the party's policy goal of raising the level of national income to the highest level ever over the next three years or 2010. On the afternoon of Feb. 15, Ota held a meeting with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, his first this year, at the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei). In the 50-minute Fukuda-Ota meeting, business and economic measures took center stage. Ota has indicated to his aides that he shares the same awareness of issues with the prime minister. But there are no signs of the LDP producing a package of policies in line with the New Komeito's calls. In terms of numbers, the New Komeito's role has diminished due to the divided Diet. Even with the New Komeito, the coalition is still a minority in the Upper House. The New Komeito is also placed outside the loop of the LDP-DPJ battle over the selection of new Bank of Japan governor. At a meeting on Feb. 19 of New Komeito Lower House members, Isamu Ueda said: "Our party needs a venue to discuss BOJ personnel affairs. Without it, we won't be able to fulfill our accountability." The party's image going against reform over road-related tax revenue is also a matter of concern for the New Komeito. Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, who served as New Komeito secretary general for eight years, repeatedly made Diet replies that could be taken as siding with his ministry. Many New Komeito supporters complained that Fuyushiba has acted like a lawyer representing MLIT bureaucrats and LDP lawmakers with ties to road construction interests. What is more serious is that the party has yet to come up with any plan to deal with a rekindled grand coalition vision and political realignment. An alliance between the LDP and DPJ is certain to reduce the New Komeito's presence. "If this situation persists, our usual strategy of holding the deciding vote will not work," a New Komeito member said with alarm. (3) 8 parties agree to revise SOFA RYUKYU SHIMPO (Top play) (Full) February 24, 2008 In the wake of an Okinawa-based U.S. serviceman's rape of a junior high school girl and other incidents caused by U.S. military personnel, the Ryukyu Shimpo held an urgent roundtable of representatives from eight political parties in Okinawa Prefecture TOKYO 00000491 003 OF 010 yesterday afternoon at its head office in Naha. On Feb. 22, the government announced a plan to prevent similar incidents. However, the representatives from the eight political parties unanimously agreed that the government-announced plan is insufficient. They also agreed that the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) should be drastically revised. They stressed that the Okinawa should assume a strong stance in pressing for a revision of SOFA provisions, including the need for the Okinawa prefectural assembly to pass another resolution. The roundtable participants were Seizen Hokama, deputy chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Okinawa prefectural federation, Kantoku Teruya, chairman of the Social Democratic Party's Okinawa prefectural federation, Tomonori Itosu, representative of New Komeito's Okinawa prefectural headquarters, Masaharu Kina, chairman of the Okinawa Socialist Masses Party, Seiken Akamine, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party's Okinawa prefectural committee, Mikio Shimoji, representative of the Political Group of Okinawa Revolution (Seito Souzou),Chobin Zukeran, deputy representative of the Democratic Party of Japan's Okinawa prefectural federation, and Hiroshi Goya, representative of the People's New Party's Okinawa prefectural federation. The SDP, OSMP, JCP, and DPJ called for holding a rally of local residents at an early date, insisting that all the parties should demonstrate the anger of Okinawa to Japan and the United States. However, the LDP, New Komeito, Souzou, and PNP were cautious, maintaining that they have yet to find out any drastic measures and that they must first clear up the causes of such incidents. They were divided over whether to hold a rally. The roundtable participants severely criticized the recent junior high school girl rape. "He did not even have the morals common to human beings," Hokama said. Teruya called the incident "extremely despicable, a clever trick, and malicious." Itosu also called the government's plan "insufficient," suggesting the need to register U.S. military personnel living outside their bases as foreign residents with local government offices. "The government is taking just cosmetic steps," Kina said, "so we should watch U.S. military personnel at the gates." In addition, all representatives from the eight political parties consented to a drastic revision of the SOFA. "Including the propriety of stationing foreign troops in Japan," Akamine insisted, "we should hold in-depth discussions." Shimoji said his party would shortly write up SOFA provisions that should be revised. His party will present its report of recommendations to the government. Goya said the Okinawa prefectural government should work on the Japanese government to revise the SOFA, representing the people of Okinawa Prefecture. The ruling parties gave high marks to the Okinawa prefectural government's response, saying the prefectural government is making strenuous efforts to take preventive steps in an earnest manner. The ruling parties also suggested the need for Okinawa to make a strong request to the Japanese government for preventive measures. Meanwhile, the opposition parties criticized voiced criticism. "The prefectural government remains hesitant before the government," one of the representatives from the opposition parties said. Another opposition representative said, "The prefectural government should have come up with its own request before the government's plan was out." TOKYO 00000491 004 OF 010 (4) Keidanren to approve mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions under industry-specific accumulation method NIKKEI (Page 3) (Full) February 25, 2008 Nippon Keidanren (the Japan Business Federation) has started coordination to accept Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's proposal for setting targets by country for reducing greenhouse gas emissions under a post-Kyoto framework for combating global warming. The nation's largest business organization will make a policy switch from its cautious stance and fall in step with the government. But the group is still dead set against the idea of setting mandatory caps on each corporation. To achieve the targets set in the Kyoto Protocol, Keidanren has worked out an industry-specific voluntary action plan. Under the plan, however, some industries have not been required to reduce gas emissions and have been mandated only to improve their energy efficiency. Keidanren had insisted that setting reduction targets for industries under a post-Kyoto framework would undermine their competitiveness. Even if energy efficiency is improved, a rise in output will inevitably increase emissions. Now that such criticism is growing even in the government, Keidanren was apparently pressed to change its strategy. Keidanren will start a discussion in March on the method of collecting and aggregating data on possible gas-emissions cuts for different industries and sectors. Prime Minister Fukuda made this proposal at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (Davos Conference) this January. A Keidanren member said: "Industrial circles' voluntary reduction efforts are likely to be reflected in it." Keidanren Chairman Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Canon, indicated in a press conference on Feb. 20 that the organization would approve a market to trade the right to emit greenhouse gases. Reflecting its softened stance, Keidanren hopes to come up with a specific post-Kyoto mechanism by this April. Still, industries that have emitted huge amounts of greenhouse gases, like steel and electricity, are putting up strong resistance to the idea of setting country-specific targets. Hearing the policy stance announced by the prime minister in his speech at the Davos Conference, a senior Nippon Steel Corporation critically said: "It is premature to approve of setting numerical targets before the U.S. announces its policy." The government may find it difficult to promote work to unify views. If the government is able to obtain approval for introducing numerical targets, the next focus of attention will shift to how to attain the target set for Japan. If Japan adopts the method of collecting and aggregating data, as recommended by the government and Keidanren, industries will estimate the amount of reduced gases by themselves. In such a case, their estimates tend to be overoptimistic. Keidanren has insisted that nonbinding targets should be introduced, opposing an introduction of a penalty if and when companies fail to meet the targets set for them. It therefore is uncertain whether greenhouse gas emissions will be significantly reduced. TOKYO 00000491 005 OF 010 The government plans to discuss ways to set a target for Japan and other details at its Council on Global Warming, which also includes business leaders as members. Keidanren will determine its policy stance, reflecting discussions at the council. (5) Koga takes offensive on selection of Nippon Izokukai vice chairmen with eye on accelerating debate on removing Class-A criminals from Yasukuni Shrine MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) February 22, 2008 Makoto Koga, chairman of the Japan Association for the Bereaved Families of the War Dead (Nippon Izokukai) has begun paving the way for accelerating debate in the association on the idea of removing the enshrined Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni Shrine. With an eye on a meeting on Feb. 28 of the association's directors and councilors, Koga last month tried to maneuver to appoint an individual favoring his plan into the vice chairman's post. However, encountering strong opposition from those who are reluctant to pursue the idea, he gave up this time around. But he has not budged from pursuing his goal to remove Class-A war criminals enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine. Koga's political clout is indispensable for the association, which is gradually decreasing in numbers because of the graying of the membership. Koga, who will retain the chairman's post, is waiting for the next chance. Koga last May formed a study group of 14 members in the association. Most of the 14 are in favor of removing Class-A war criminals from the shrine. However, the three vice chairmen -- Hidehisa Otsuji, who is chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's caucus in the House of Councillors, former LDP Upper House member Tsugio Morita, and Tokushima Prefectural Izokukai Chairman Minoru Masuya -- are reluctant to do so. Since Masuya chairs the study session, the argument to remove enshrined Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni has not moved forward. Koga attempted to convince Morita and Masuya to quit their posts at a time when the chairmanship and vice chairmanship elections are conducted. He also tried to find the chance of picking as the replacements of Morita and Masuya a standing director who favors removing the enshrined war criminals, and LDP Upper House member Toshiei Mizuochi,. In a meeting on Jan. 31 of the committee on selection of board members, one committee member, who is close to Koga, suggested: "Why don't we decide on chairmen as Chairman Koga wishes?" A total of eight committee members, excluding the chairman and vice chairmen, opposed the suggestion. On the night of Jan. 30, committee members reluctant to unenshrine Class-A war criminals from Yasukuni worked on other committee members to persuade them. As a result, a rumor appeared that Koga had indicated his intention to quit his post. Otsuji and two other chairmen met on Feb. 7 with him at LDP headquarters to ask him to remain in his post. Koga told them that he would continue in the post. This incident demonstrated that Koga was still an important player in the Nippon Izokukai. Koga played up his presence by visiting Iwojima (Iwoto) on Feb. 13 for the first time as chairman of the Nippon Izokukai. He told the press: "My feelings about the Yasukuni issue have been consistent." TOKYO 00000491 006 OF 010 (6) FTC eyes exclusively clamping down on unscrupulous business practices YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) February 24, 2008 The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) unveiled a plan yesterday to integrate the existing consumer administrative bodies into one under the leadership of the government. The plan is mainly designed to allow the FTC to solely take charge of regulations on consumer transactions, including unscrupulous business practices. The FTC plans to request such powers at a meeting of the Consumer Administration Promotion Council, but the plan is likely to draw objections from affected government offices. The plan is intended to unify administrative bodies offering consultation services and handling consumer complaints with the penalty department and to allow the FTC to take charge of regulations on consumer transactions, including fraudulent business practices, unscrupulous canvassing, mislabeling, and inappropriate contracts. Under current bureaucratic sectionalism, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry holds jurisdiction over matters related to mobile phones, and the Land, Infrastructure, and Transport over problems associated with travel and real estate. Further, because the Consumer Contracts Law under the competence of the Cabinet Office does not provide any punitive measures against transgressors, victims of illegal contracts must file civil lawsuits. The FTC's current powers focus on cracking down on illegal business practices, such as bid-rigging and cartels. Its rules governing consumer transactions are restricted to advertisements and mislabeling under the Law for Preventing Unjustifiable Extra or Unexpected Benefit and Misleading Representation. The plan is designed to extend the FTC's powers to regulate all consumer transactions, including unscrupulous business practices. The commission claims that the plan will allow it to apply the law across the board. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission can crack down on bogus advertisements, canvassing, and telephone sales. In Australia, Britain, Canada, and South Korea, competition policy authorities also handle complaints regarding consumer transactions. Some government officials are toying with the idea of establishing a consumer agency to unify consumer administrative bodies, but relevant ministries and government agencies reluctant to see their powers divided oppose the plan. They are expected to object to the FTC's plan as well. (7) NPA says cases of child abuse largest ever in 2007, although decrease in death toll of abused children MAINICHI ONLINE 13:45, February 21, 2008 According to a report compiled by the National Police Agency (NPA), the cases of child abuse the police arrested suspects or sent papers to prosecutors last year totaled 300 (one percent increase from the TOKYO 00000491 007 OF 010 previous year),the largest number since 1999 when the NPA started tallying statistics about the child abuse. The number of children who died from physical abuse was 37 (a 37.3 PERCENT drop from 2006). A total of 315 children, including those who died, suffered from physical abuse, with the number remaining high (down 0.3 PERCENT from 2006). Regarding the reason for a decrease in the death toll, despite an increase in the number of arrests, the NPA said: "The reason may be that the police have responded promptly to the reports since cooperation with child consultation centers has been strengthened, although the number of reports on child abuse has boosted as society has become more aware of child abuse." The cases of child prostitution and child pornography totaled 1,914 (a 14.1 PERCENT drop from the previous year) last year. The number of children who were victims of child pornography totaled 304 (a 20.2 PERCENT increase from 2006). The serious situation of children becoming wrapped up in such criminal acts continues. According to the NPA, the number of abused children totaled 315, which include 224 cases of physical abuse, 69 cases of sexual molestation, and 22 cases of denying children basic care. By age, 47 children were less than one year old; 25 were five-year-olds; and 24 were three year olds. A total of 97 children were abused by their mothers, 91 were abused by their fathers, 55 by their adopted fathers or stepfathers, and 46 by their common-law fathers or others. The cases of child prostitution the police arrested suspects and sent papers to prosecutors totaled 1,347 (down 16.5 PERCENT from 2006). A total of 984 suspects were sent to public prosecutors offices (drop of 13.7 PERCENT ). The cases of child pornography were 567 (8.0 PERCENT decrease). The police sent 377 suspects to prosecutors (up 7.7 PERCENT ). A total of 1,160 children (a 12.5 PERCENT drop) were victimized and forced into child prostitution. However, the number of children, who were victimized to submit to child pornography, increased by 20.2 PERCENT , or to 304. Meanwhile, the number of crimes committed by juveniles has dropped for four years in a row. (8) Poll on public attitude toward politics YOMIURI (Page 11) (Full) February 24, 2008 Questions & Answers (Figures shown in percentage) Q: Do you trust Japan's political parties or politicians today? Trust very much 2.7 Trust somewhat 27.2 Don't trust very much 45.0 Don't trust at all 23.0 No answer (N/A) 2.0 Q: Are you interested in state affairs? If any, pick up to three from among those listed below. TOKYO 00000491 008 OF 010 The government's economic policy 65.1 The government's foreign policy 34.3 The government's environmental, welfare, educational policies 55.9 Opposition parties' policies 9.6 Elections, results 9.6 Diet debate 16.9 Power struggles among politicians, intraparty factions 8.1 Topics about politicians 4.8 Other answers (O/A) 0.5 Nothing in particular (NIP) + N/A 10.3 Q: What do you think Dietmembers prioritize in their daily activities? If any, pick as many as you like from among those listed below. Interests for the whole nation 27.3 Interests for their home constituencies 43.9 Their political parties' policies 38.3 Requests from their local supporters 26.5 Requests from bureaucrats 24.9 Requests from industries, big businesses 29.6 Requests from labor unions, other organizations 9.7 Requests from consumer groups, other civic organizations 8.3 O/A 3.4 N/A 3.0 Q: What do you think is important in particular when you evaluate political parties? Pick up to three from those listed below. Policies 58.9 Party heads' caliber 28.8 Governance 21.8 Reform-oriented efforts 37.2 Long-term perspectives 19.8 Their lawmakers' capabilities 15.9 Political fund clarity 17.4 Policy for the weak 23.6 O/A 0.3 NIP+N/A 6.8 Q: Do you think policies which politicians think are needed for the nation should be translated into action even if many of the people are opposed to these policies? Yes 38.4 No 54.8 N/A 6.7 Q: Do you think it's only natural for the Diet to decide by majority even if there is an objection? Yes 49.8 No 44.6 N/A 5.5 Q: Generally speaking, do you think it would be better for the ruling and opposition parties to change places at times? Yes 63.3 No 26.9 N/A 9.7 TOKYO 00000491 009 OF 010 Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question) Why? Pick up to three from among those listed below. Policy will change its course 49.4 Politics will change its structure 34.4 Political corruption will hardly occur 55.4 Political parties will activate policy debate 44.4 Bureaucratic clout will weaken 30.3 O/A 0.4 No particular reason 2.7 N/A 0.3 Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why? Pick up to three from among those listed below. Policies will be inconsistent 66.0 Politics will be confused 65.7 Political corruption will not disappear 6.6 Elections will tend to court public favor rather than to be for policies 25.7 Bureaucratic clout will be stronger 8.4 O/A 1.3 No particular reason 4.1 N/A 0.9 Q: Do you think there will be a change of government from the ruling parties to the opposition parties in the near future? Yes 40.8 No 49.8 N/A 9.3 Q: The ruling parties currently hold a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives, and the opposition parties dominate the House of Councillors. There are two opinions as below about this divided balance of the ruling and opposition parties' strengths in the Diet. Which opinion is closer to yours? (A) Bills do not pass the Diet or fall behind if the ruling and opposition parties confront over these bills. (B) The ruling and opposition parties will hold policy talks and activate the Diet. (A) to a certain degree 40.7 (B) to a certain degree 48.9 N/A 10.4 Q: Do you think votes cast by voters in elections are reflected in politics? Yes 28.8 No 67.1 N/A 4.0 Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why. Pick up to three from among those listed below. Political parties and politicians do not keep their public pledges 43.8 Policies are not translated into action in spite of public expectations 54.0 TOKYO 00000491 010 OF 010 Politics will not improve 34.9 Public life will not improve 57.7 The prime minister is replaced in spite of election results 14.9 The election system has a problem 13.0 People will be carried away with a mood in elections 21.6 O/A 0.4 N/A 0.5 Q: Do you feel like taking part in politics? If any, pick as many as you like from those listed below. Vote in elections 76.2 Visit or petition a local assembly 9.5 Participate in a civic political watch group 9.5 Attend a political party's or a politician's town meeting 11.6 Volunteer or contribute for a political party or a politician 4.0 Join an association of supporters for a politician 4.4 Act as a political party member 1.9 Act as an assembly member or run in elections 1.0 O/A 0.1 NIP+N/A 19.2 Q: Do you think Japan's politics will go in a good direction, or do you otherwise think it will go in a bad direction? Good direction 10.0 Good direction to a certain degree 35.6 Bad direction to a certain degree 34.6 Bad direction 10.3 N/A 9.5 Polling methodology Date of survey: Feb. 16-17. Subjects of survey: 3,000 persons chosen from among all eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified two-stage random-sampling basis). Method of implementation: Door-to-door visits for face-to-face interviews. Number of valid respondents: 1,734 persons (57.8 PERCENT ) Breakdown of respondents: Male-49 PERCENT , female-51 PERCENT ; persons in their 20s-8 PERCENT , 30s-14 PERCENT , 40s-17 PERCENT , 50s-19 PERCENT , 60s-24 PERCENT , 70 and over-18 PERCENT ; big cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated cities)-23 PERCENT , major cities (with a population of more than 300,000)-17 PERCENT , medium-size cities (with a population of more than 100,000)-25 PERCENT , small cities (with a population of less than 100,000)-24 PERCENT , towns and villages-11 PERCENT . SCHIEFFER