Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1080
2009-05-12 22:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 05/12/09
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 16 TOKYO 001080
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TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 05/12/09
INDEX:
(1) Ruling bloc loses "criticism card" with Ozawa's resignation: DPJ
presidential election needs to be watched; Early Diet dissolution
difficult? (Mainichi)
(2) Scope column: Will DPJ choose Okada or Hatoyama for new party
head? Will new president make reforms or maintain conventional
policy? (Tokyo Shimbun)
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Yomiuri)
(4) Poll on citizen judge system (Yomiuri)
(5) Key to U.S.-DPRK dialogue nowhere in sight; Bosworth arrives in
Japan; North Korea remains mulish (Asahi)
(6) Young Obama's visit to Japan: footprints in "only atomic-bombed
country"(Tokyo Shimbun)
(7) While Putin is in Japan, Japan intends to grope for Russia's
real intention on Northern Territories, Russia expected to
prioritize signing nuclear power agreement (Mainichi)
(8) Putin to visit Japan on May 11; Japan, Russia to sign nuclear
cooperation deal (Sankei)
(9) Reformist gives in to public opinion (Asahi)
(10) DPJ leader Ozawa steps down to avoid being covered with flames
in party head talks, according to pundits' analysis (Tokyo Shimbun)
ARTICLES:
(1) Ruling bloc loses "criticism card" with Ozawa's resignation: DPJ
presidential election needs to be watched; Early Diet dissolution
difficult?
MAINICHI (page 2) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Hirohiko Sakaguchi, Ryuko Tadokoro
With Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's
announcement of his resignation, the government and the ruling
bloc's strategy for the dissolution of the Diet, premised on Ozawa's
continuing to serve as DPJ chief, is becoming disrupted. Prime
Minister Taro Aso, who has been on the offensive since the arrest of
Ozawa's secretary, had been hoping to keep a complete free hand in
determining the timing of Diet dissolution. But now, he will have to
see how the election of the new DPJ president turns out. Some people
in the government and the ruling parties are beginning to think that
unless there is upheaval in the DPJ - caused by the intensification
of internal strife, for instance - early dissolution will be
difficult.
At an executive meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on May
11, Aso said: "Regardless of whether Mr. Ozawa resigns or not, the
most important thing is to implement economic measures without fail.
I would like to enact the supplementary budget as soon as possible,"
stressing his intention to pass the FY09 supplementary budget and
the related legislations at an early date. However, his plan to gain
TOKYO 00001080 002 OF 016
a free hand in dissolving the Diet anytime after the enactment of
the supplementary budget has now been upset by Ozawa's announcement
of his resignation.
The prime minister gained a psychological advantage over Ozawa with
the arrest of the latter's secretary. Since then, the government and
the ruling bloc had been criticizing the DPJ for Ozawa's holding on
to the party's presidency, and had been working on restoring the
cabinet support rate by chalking up achievements, such as additional
economic measures. For this very reason, the sudden resignation
announcement is seriously disconcerting. Criticism has been voiced
that "Mr. Ozawa needs to give a proper explanation on issues
relating to politics and money." (New Komeito Secretary General
Kazuo Kitagawa)
For now, moves relating to the election of the new DPJ president and
the stance of the party's new leadership will have to be watched.
Former LDP secretary general Koichi Kato voices alarm that, "The
harder Mr. Ozawa worked (as the president),the better it would have
been for the LDP. We need to be careful. There will be growing
interest in the DPJ's presidential election, and the people's
attention may move to the DPJ."
If there is internal strife in the DPJ, the scenario of early Diet
dissolution, after the enactment of the supplementary budget in late
May, will be possible. However, former LDP secretary general Bunmei
Ibuki expresses a negative view: "Mr. Aso is not thinking of such a
petty thing as taking advantage of the other side's troubles to
dissolve the Diet."
What happens next will depend on how the DPJ deals with Diet
affairs. The government and the ruling bloc are considering a
substantial extension of the current Diet session until July to
allow the passage of important bills, including bills related to the
supplementary budget and the anti-piracy law. Since New Komeito is
also strongly opposed to the dissolution of the Diet and a general
election around the time of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election
on July 12, the likely choice of date for dissolution will be some
time after the Emperor and Empress return from their visit to Canada
and Hawaii on July 17.
In that case, voting for the House of Representatives election is
expected to take place in August, close to the end of the term of
office of Lower House members. If the DPJ makes a forceful comeback
as a party by then, Aso's Diet dissolution may end up being
something that he is forced into doing.
Certain people in the ruling parties are concerned about such an
eventuality. During a program broadcast on CS television on the
evening of May 11, former prime minister Shinzo Abe said: "After the
passage of the supplementary budget, the prime minister will have a
free hand in dissolving the Diet. It will be better for the LDP to
hold an election by making a decision at a certain point, rather
than doing it at the end of the term of office," touching on his
preference for dissolution at an early date.
(2) Scope column: Will DPJ choose Okada or Hatoyama for new party
head? Will new president make reforms or maintain conventional
policy?
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
May 12, 2009
TOKYO 00001080 003 OF 016
With Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's
announcement of his resignation, the focus now is on who will be
elected as the new DPJ president. Many junior and mid-level DPJ
members are calling for DPJ Vice President Katsuya Okada to run in
the party leadership election. Some lawmakers are looking into the
possibility of backing DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, who has
supported Ozawa. If the presidential election ends up being a
contest between Okada and Hatoyama, whether the present party
structure and policy are reformed or maintained will be a point at
issue in order to bring about a change in government.
Regarding Ozawa's resignation, Okada, who is regarded as the
front-runner to replace Ozawa, said yesterday: "(Ozawa) made a
significant decision. The question is who can bring about a change
in government." Asked about whether he would file his candidacy,
Okada responded: "I'm considering it." This seemed to be a rather
specific reply for Okada, who tends to be cautious.
DPJ lawmakers close to Okada predict that he is certain to run in
the election, with one member saying: "He has been determined to
run." Another said: "I will urge him to file his candidacy." There
are many members supporting Okada in the group led by Vice President
Seiji Maehara and the other group led by Public Relations Committee
Chairman Yoshihiko Noda. In addition, Okada has cross-sectional
support in the DPJ.
As head of the party's political reform promotion taskforce, Okada
played a leadership role in consolidating views in the party on
banning donations from corporations and organizations and
restricting candidates from running for the Diet seats held by their
relatives. Since Ozawa has suffered a defeat caused to the issue of
"politics and money," many DPJ members believe that Okada, who has a
clean image, is the most suitable person to reform the party with an
eye on the upcoming Lower House election.
Premised on Okada's assumption of the presidency, a mid-level
lawmaker said: "In June, our party will concentrate on whether to
renew our manifesto." The lawmaker means that since Okada has
distanced himself from Ozawa, he may reform the party's conventional
policies and structure.
Therefore, some of the DPJ members favoring the troika system made
up of Ozawa, Hatoyama, and Deputy President Naoto Kan, along with
its policies, are looking into the possibility of Hatoyama
succeeding Ozawa. This is because Hatoyama backed Ozawa even after
the discovery of the illegal donation scandal involving Ozawa's
secretary.
Hatoyama told the press corps yesterday in a strong tone that he
would step down from his post along with Ozawa. Regarding the
possibility of his running in the party leadership race, he just
said: "Since I have just heard about the president's intention to
leave his post, I have no idea about my future right now."
Hatoyama has repeatedly said that he has a joint responsibility with
Ozawa and shares his fate. Therefore, if Hatoyama runs in the
election, he will unavoidably meet with strong reactions from
lawmakers supporting Okada.
Ozawa said that he would resign to ensure party unity. However,
there is even a possibility that his resignation will develop into a
TOKYO 00001080 004 OF 016
generational conflict between a group of lawmakers calling for a
generational change and another group that favors maintaining the
present party structure.
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties
YOMIURI (Page 8) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage)
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet?
Yes 28.7
No 59.7
Other answers (O/A) 1.8
No answer (N/A) 9.8
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question)
Pick only one from among the following reasons for your approval of
the Aso cabinet.
Something can be expected of its policy measures 25.0
The prime minister has leadership 9.7
There's something stable about the prime minister 11.0
His cabinet's lineup is good 11.6
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New
Komeito 32.4
O/A 3.6
N/A 6.8
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Pick
only one from among the following reasons for your disapproval of
the Aso cabinet.
Nothing can be expected of its policy measures 37.2
The prime minister lacks leadership 21.3
There's nothing stable about the prime minister 23.4
His cabinet's lineup is not good 2.8
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New
Komeito 13.9
O/A 0.8
N/A 0.6
Q: Which political party do you support now?
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 26.8
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 23.4
New Komeito (NK) 4.4
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2.4
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 0.8
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.1
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) ---
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) ---
Other political parties ---
None 39.2
N/A 2.9
Q: When comparing Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa, who do
you think is more appropriate for prime minister?
TOKYO 00001080 005 OF 016
Prime Minister Aso 40.1
DPJ President Ozawa 24.8
N/A 35.1
Q: The government has presented the Diet with its supplementary
budget of the largest scale ever to fund an additional economic
stimulus package. Do you appreciate it?
Yes 41.0
No 47.9
N/A 11.2
Q: DPJ President Ozawa's secretary has been indicted for allegedly
receiving illicit donations. Meanwhile, DPJ President Ozawa has
clarified his intention to stay on as party head. Is this
convincing?
Yes 21.8
No 71.1
N/A 7.1
Q: Do you think DPJ President Ozawa has fulfilled his accountability
on the case this time?
Yes 6.7
No 86.7
N/A 6.6
Q: The new type of influenza is spreading. Do you think the
government is dealing with this situation in an appropriate manner?
Yes 80.1
No 15.0
N/A 4.9
Q: Do you fear that someone you know may be infected with the new
type of influenza?
Yes 27.9
No 69.8
N/A 2.2
Q: Are you or is your family doing something against the new type of
influenza this time?
Yes 36.8
No 63.1
N/A 0.1
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question).
Pick anything you or your family is doing.
Wear a mask when going out 42.8
Wash hands well 96.0
Try to keep away from crowded places 63.4
Keep masks and medicines 50.1
Keep foodstuffs 26.0
Gather information through newspapers, TV, etc. 81.2
O/A 0.8
N/A 0.1
TOKYO 00001080 006 OF 016
Q: Do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved for
a general election right away, or do you otherwise think there's no
need to hurry?
Right away 34.1
No need to hurry 55.9
N/A 10.0
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of
Representatives, which political party would you like to vote for in
your proportional representation bloc?
LDP 26.5
DPJ 30.2
NK 5.0
JCP 3.6
SDP 1.2
PNP 0.2
RC ---
NPN ---
Other political parties 0.1
Undecided 24.4
N/A 8.8
Q: What form of government would you like to see after the next
election for the House of Representatives?
LDP-led coalition government 15.0
DPJ-led coalition government 17.4
LDP-DPJ grand coalition government 22.9
Government under new framework after political realignment 38.7
O/A 0.0
N/A 6.0
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted May 8-10 across the
nation on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis.
Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,779. Valid
answers were obtained from 1,091 persons (61.3 PERCENT ).
(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not become 100
PERCENT due to rounding.
(4) Poll on citizen judge system
YOMIURI (Page 23) (Full)
May 3, 2009
Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage)
Q: What was your impression of court rulings handed down on
incidents and accidents in criminal trials? Pick only one from among
those listed below.
Often felt too heavy 4.3
Often felt too light 49.7
Often felt appropriate 34.0
No answer (N/A) 12.0
Q: The citizen judge system will start May 21. This system is for
people selected by drawing lots to participate in criminal court
trials on such major cases as murder and decide on whether guilty or
TOKYO 00001080 007 OF 016
not and punishment with the court judges. To what extent do you know
this system? Pick only one from among those listed below.
Know well 4.1
Know somewhat 44.7
Know at least its name 42.9
Know nothing 7.5
N/A 0.9
Q: The citizen judge system mandates people to participate in a
court trial. Do you support introducing this system?
Yes 13.9
Yes to a certain degree 20.1
No to a certain degree 31.5
No 30.3
N/A 4.1
Q: Would you like to participate in a court trial as a citizen
judge?
Yes 18.1
No 79.2
N/A 2.7
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why?
Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed below, if
any.
Because I'm not confident in accurate judgment on whether guilty or
not 50.1
Because I'm not confident in judgment on appropriate punishment
52.5
Because I feel reluctant to try someone 51.4
Because I'm worried about incurring resentment from the accused or
those having something to do with the accused 16.5
Because it's troublesome to get involved in a case 16.3
Because I cannot take time due to my job or family circumstances
31.7
Other answers (O/A) 3.3
Nothing in particular (NIP) 1.5
N/A 0.8
Q: Anyone selected as a candidate to become a citizen judge is not
allowed to decline unless there is some special reason. Do you think
the candidate should be allowed to decline as much as possible?
Yes 72.0
No 23.3
N/A 4.7
Q: Most court trials involving citizen judges are expected to be
held for an intensive period of 3 to 5 days. What do you think about
this period of time if you were to become a citizen judge? Pick only
one from among those listed below.
It can be longer 23.7
It should be shorter 20.8
It's appropriate 43.1
N/A 12.4
TOKYO 00001080 008 OF 016
Q: In a court trial, a dead body or other cruel photos may be shown
as proofs. Do you think it's all right to see such photos if you
were to become a citizen judge?
Yes 36.9
No 60.8
N/A 2.3
Q: If you were to become a citizen judge, do you choose capital
punishment when you think capital punishment is appropriate for the
case you judge?
Yes 62.5
No 23.1
N/A 14.3
Q: In criminal cases subject to the citizen judge system, the
prosecutors and police are now beginning to record or video-tape
some of their interrogations. This is for citizen judges to check to
see if their interrogations were done in an appropriate manner. But
there is also an opinion noting that the suspect can hardly tell the
truth. Do you think the interrogations of suspects should be
recorded and video-taped in a positive way?
Yes 73.2
No 16.1
N/A 10.7
Q: How do you think Japan's criminal trials will change after the
citizen judge system starts? Pick as many as you like from among
those listed below if any.
Easy to see court trials 22.7
Feel court trials closely 38.1
Public sensitivity will be reflected in court rulings 37.3
Court rulings will be affected by sentiment 37.8
Court trials will be careless 12.3
Court rulings will vary with cases 40.2
O/A 0.6
NIP 7.5
N/A 3.9
Q: Do you think Japan's criminal court trials will improve or worsen
on the whole after the citizen judge system starts?
Improve 12.9
Improve to a certain degree 35.3
Worsen to a certain degree 18.7
Worsen 8.2
N/A 24.9
Q: Do you think the capital punishment system should be maintained
or abolished?
Maintain 56.7
Maintain to a certain degree 23.8
Abolish to a certain degree 8.5
Abolish 5.7
N/A 5.3
TOKYO 00001080 009 OF 016
Polling methodology
Date of survey: April 25-26.
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: 1,810 persons (60.3 PERCENT )
Breakdown of respondents: Male-49 PERCENT , female-51 PERCENT ;
persons in their 20s-10 PERCENT , 30s-15 PERCENT , 40s-17 PERCENT ,
50s-21 PERCENT , 60s-22 PERCENT , 70 and over-15 PERCENT ; big
cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated cities)-23
PERCENT , major cities (with a population of more than 300,000)-18
PERCENT , medium-size cities (with a population of more than
100,000)-24 PERCENT , small cities (with a population of less than
100,000)-23 PERCENT , towns and villages-12 PERCENT .
(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not become 100
PERCENT due to rounding.
(5) Key to U.S.-DPRK dialogue nowhere in sight; Bosworth arrives in
Japan; North Korea remains mulish
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Yusuke Murayama, Toru Higashioka, and Yoshihiro Makino in Seoul
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth
arrived in Japan yesterday on the last leg of his Asia tour which
also took him to China and South Korea. A meeting with Foreign
Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Akitaka
Saiki completed the major events in Bosworth's Asia tour that
followed North Korea's missile launch (on April 5). Although
Bosworth seems set to respond to North Korea's call for direct
dialogue with the United States, Pyongyang maintains its tough
stance, as seen in its criticism that specifically mentioned the
Obama administration by name. The United States has yet to find a
way out of the deadlock.
Bosworth arrived in Tokyo after visiting Beijing and Seoul. During
the talks, Bosworth and Saiki confirmed a policy direction to deal
calmly with North Korea which has repeatedly carried out provocative
acts, such as an announcement to withdraw from the Six-Party Talks
and an indication to conduct a nuclear test, since firing the
missile in April in the name of a satellite.
Bosworth's Asia tour, however, did not necessarily produce results
that are directly linked to a way out.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated that the North has
taken provocative steps because it was shocked by the endorsement by
China and Russia of a UN Security Council presidential statement
condemning the North's missile launch. During his Asia tour,
Bosworth noted that the United States was prepared to deal with
North Korea bilaterally in a way that reinforces the multilateral
process, while aiming to build up cooperation among the five
countries excluding North Korea that was strengthened in the process
of adopting the presidential statement. At the same time, Bosworth
said: "The United States is prepared to deal with North Korea
bilaterally in a way that reinforces the multilateral process." The
special representative apparently searched for common ground to meet
TOKYO 00001080 010 OF 016
the North's desire for direct dialogue.
The North still takes a pigheaded attitude. A North Korean Foreign
Ministry spokesman criticized the Obama administration by name on
May 8, the day Bosworth arrived in Seoul. He reiterated Pyongyang's
past assertion that it would further strengthen its nuclear
deterrent, rejecting dialogue. It is clear that the North wants to
elicit advantageous conditions from the United States. Asked about
concrete measures by the press, Bosworth simply said, "The door to
dialogue remains open," signaling the lack of a silver bullet.
Although it advocates dialogue, the United States is not in a
condition to easily provide a 'carrot' as a reward. Saddled with
tough diplomatic issues, such as the problem of Afghanistan and
Pakistan where security is deteriorating, U.S. Congress slammed the
government's response to North Korea's series of provocative acts as
weak-kneed.
The view on direct dialogue varies from government to government. A
South Korean government official said: "At present, chances are slim
for the North to respond to a call for dialogue." He also noted that
as a result of talks with the United States, a decision was made to
consider different timing.
The Japanese government revealed a plan to endorse dialogue between
the United States and North Korea on the condition that Japan and
South Korea hold prior consultations and that the abduction issue is
taken up. After the meeting with Bosworth yesterday, Saiki
underlined the need to continue pursuing the dialogue and pressure
approach before the press, saying: "It would be inadvisable to
present concessions and a 'carrot' for the sake of an early
resumption of the talks."
(6) Young Obama's visit to Japan: footprints in "only atomic-bombed
country"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (page 2) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Yoichi Toyoda
Obama is the first African-American to become president in U.S.
history. In early April, he became the first U.S. president to admit
the moral responsibility of the first country to have actually used
a nuclear weapon by dropping nuclear bombs on Japan. A visit by the
U.S. president to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which has never happened
before, has suddenly become a focus of attention. Actually, Obama
has set foot on Japan before with his mother as a young boy. What
did the young lad think of Japan at that time? This article looks
back on Obama's past and examines the possibility of his visiting
the atomic-bombed areas.
In 1967, a young boy came to Japan. He was Barack Obama, who later
became the 44th president of the United States. He was here with his
mother Anne on their way to Jakarta, where his Indonesian
step-father lived.
At that time, Indonesia was in the process of the transition of
power from Sukarno to Suharto. Obama must have been full of anxiety,
having to face life with a new father in a strange land shaken by
political change. At the same time, young Obama engraved his
memories of Japan in his mind.
TOKYO 00001080 011 OF 016
His book "Dreams from My Father" describes his three-day stay in
Japan as follows:
"We visited the Great Buddha in Kamakura in the cold rain. I ate
green-tea ice cream on the ferry gliding on the lake at the foot of
the mountain."
Keio University Professor Yasushi Watanabe, who is well-versed in
American politics, surmises that, "At that time, many Japanese
people lived in Hawaii. Japan was something familiar to Obama. He
was probably able to accept Japan naturally, and did not treat it as
a distant country."
Obama later became a community activist in Chicago, Illinois, went
on to serve in the Illinois state and federal senates, and won the
presidential election in 2008. Subsequently, he appointed former
first lady Hillary Clinton, his rival in the Democratic Party
primaries, as secretary of state.
After Clinton chose Japan as the first country she would visit after
assuming office, Obama ordered her to visit Indonesia as well. This
was the same route young Obama took 42 years ago.
"As the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United
States has a moral responsibility to act."
This was what Obama said in a speech he delivered on April 5, while
on a visit to Prague
Past presidents had never admitted the "moral responsibility of a
country that has used nuclear weapons" in an America where the
prominent opinion is that the atomic bombs brought the war to an
early end. Obama's statement has suddenly raised hopes for the U.S.
president to visit the atomic-bombed areas.
There had been proposals to visit the atomic-bombed areas in the
past. When George W. Bush was president, he said in an interview
with the Japanese media that this was an "interesting proposal," but
the visit never materialized. The most senior U.S. official to have
visited the atomic-bombed areas is House of Representatives speaker
Nancy Pelosi, who visited Hiroshima in September 2008.
In reaction to the Prague speech, Prime Minister Taro Aso wrote a
personal letter to Obama proposing "collaboration with the United
States on nuclear disarmament," which he gave to former Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe to deliver.
When Abe handed the prime minister's personal letter to Vice
President Joseph Biden, he inquired about the possibility of the
President's visit to the atomic-bombed areas. With this, the visit
has become an item on the political agenda rather than just a
proposal.
Obama is expected to visit Japan in November this year for the first
time as president. Will the visit to the atomic-bombed areas take
place while he is in office? Watanabe says:
"I think it is possible if we are able to explain adequately that
the visit will benefit Japan-U.S. relations and enhance the United
States' prestige, and if we are able to gain non-partisan support."
TOKYO 00001080 012 OF 016
(7) While Putin is in Japan, Japan intends to grope for Russia's
real intention on Northern Territories, Russia expected to
prioritize signing nuclear power agreement
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Japan for three
days starting today to meet Prime Minister Taro Aso tomorrow. Aso
and President Dmitry Medvedev agreed in their meeting in February to
resolve the Northern Territories issue through a new, creative and
unconventional approach. In the meeting, Aso intends to seek out
Putin's real intention on the territorial issue. But Putin is
unwilling to hold an in-depth discussion on the territorial issue.
Given this, economic cooperation, including the signing of a nuclear
power accord, is likely to take center stage in the Aso-Putting
meeting.
Putin made three visits in the capacity of president, but this is
the first Japan visit since he assumed office as prime minister last
year.
Responding to an interview with foreign news companies held before
leaving for Japan, Putting clearly said: "I will place emphasis on
economic and trade issues." The Russian government has placed
emphasis particularly on signing a nuclear power agreement, which is
premised on exports of nuclear materials and technologies for
civilian use. Russia has the goal of establishing 26 nuclear power
plants by 2030. The Russian government expects to introduce Japanese
companies' technologies in this project, as Energy Security Center
Head Borovkov (TN: phonetic) said: "The process from designing to
completion takes as many as six years in Russia but only four years
in Japan."
Putin is also scheduled to deliver a lecture in a forum that will
bring together business leaders from Japan and Russia tomorrow. His
delegation includes four economic ministers, including the energy
minister, and business leaders. Russia has been calling on Japanese
firms to participate in its projects, such as constructing a gas
pipeline stretching from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok and a liquefied
natural gas (LNG) facility.
Meanwhile, Government Representative Shotaro Yachi, an advisor to
Prime Minister Aso on foreign policy, said in April: "The return of
3.5 islands (instead of the return of the four Russian-controlled
islands) would be acceptable." Because this remark caused the
conjecture that Japan was taking a flexible stance, the Japanese
government busily ran around to deny the conjecture, emphasizing no
change in its conventional stance of seeking the return of the four
islands.
Japan intends to ascertain what move the Russian side will make,
following Aso's meeting with President Dmitri Medvedev in February,
with a senior Foreign Ministry official saying: "The ball is now in
the Russian court."
Even so, Prime Minister Putin has said: "The president is
responsible for diplomatic issues. I cannot make any comment before
the Japanese government determines its stance." Given this, the
dominant view among persons concerned is that progress is unlikely
on the territorial issue in the Aso-Putin meeting.
TOKYO 00001080 013 OF 016
(8) Putin to visit Japan on May 11; Japan, Russia to sign nuclear
cooperation deal
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
May 8, 2009
Ryosuke Endo, Moscow
The outlook is that Japan and Russia will sign a nuclear cooperation
agreement when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits Japan on
May 11. The accord will be a legal framework for the two countries
to transfer nuclear materials. This was revealed on May 7 by sources
connected to Japan-Russia relations. After concluding the accord,
Japan intends to entrust Moscow with uranium enrichment and the
re-enrichment of spent uranium fuel. Japan-Russia relations will
likely reach a new stage in which Japan will increase its dependence
on Russia through the nuclear pact, without seeing any progress on
the dispute over the four Russia-held islands off Hokkaido.
The nuclear agreement will become a prerequisite for the transfer of
nuclear materials and technology for peaceful use. Japan has
concluded such a pact with seven countries and organizations,
including the United States. Tokyo has carried out negotiations with
Moscow since April 2007. The pact stipulates that the military use
of nuclear materials and technology is banned. It also stipulates
that the preservation place of nuclear materials should be limited
to facilities that have accepted inspections by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russia has 40 PERCENT of the enriched uranium in the word. It is
believed that Russian holds enormous potentials for technology and
facilities. Japan intends to entrust Russia with the enrichment of
uranium that it will purchase from Kazakhstan, with the world
second-largest uranium reserves, so that it will gain a new nuclear
fuel supply source. Tokyo has also a notion of creating a new
nuclear fuel cycle, including Russia, after paving the way for the
re-enrichment of recovered uranium stored in Britain and France.
On the other hand, Russia is interested in nuclear reactor
production technologies of such heavy electric machinery makers as
Toshiba.
Japan, the only atomic-bombed country, has considered from the start
strict inspections by the IAEA a prior condition for a nuclear
cooperation deal. In Russia, however, there was resistance mainly in
the military against the acceptance of IAEA inspections. Russia is
the only country among the five nuclear powers that does not allow
the IAEA to conduct inspections. For this reason, there is a
possibility that the scope of Japan-Russia nuclear cooperation will
be limited, depending on negotiations between Russia and the IAEA.
On alert for a possible outflow of secret information and
technologies to Japan, the Europe and the United States, many in the
Russian government have been against the nuclear pact. There is also
a possibility that the signing of the agreement will be forgone.
According to the Interfax, Yuri Ushakov, Putin's deputy chief of
staff, referring to Putin's Japan visit at a press conference on May
7, said that Putin was "ready to discuss the territorial issue," but
Japan should not have "excessive expectations."
(9) Reformist gives in to public opinion
TOKYO 00001080 014 OF 016
ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly)
May 12, 2009
Toru Hayano, columnist at head office
Ichiro Ozawa, who was once in the center of government
administration and undertook political revolt at other times,
stumbled when he was about to bring about a change in government. He
has survived a number of setbacks with a keen sense of power
inherited from Kakuei Tanaka, his mentor. However, he has now given
in to a public that has been distancing itself from him, detesting
money politics.
Japanese politics for the past two decades can be termed Ozawa-era
politics. Ozawa, while putting up political reform as his policy
slogan, has always been in turbulent political situations whether he
was in a ruling party or in an opposition party. A senior Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) official, who once was Ozawa's close aide,
said, "Mr. Ozawa is indifferent to daily politics. He becomes active
only in an abnormal situation."
He grew up as a politician under the wing of Kakuei Tanaka, who can
be called one of the leading postwar political figures. Tanaka
drilled his organized election strategy into Ozawa. He was a
favorite with Shin Kanemaru and became the Liberal Democratic
Party's (LDP) secretary general when he was 47 years old. He was a
prince in the Tanaka-Takeshita faction, when it was in full power.
If he had remained in the LDP, he might have become prime minister
sooner or later.
However, Ozawa broke away from the LDP, advocating political reform.
His defeat in a struggle to succeed to the Takeshita faction is not
the only reason why he bolted from the LDP. Tanaka was arrested with
his shady financial dealings exposed in connection with the Lockheed
scandal. Kanemaru evaded paying a huge amount of taxes and hid gold
ingots. At that time, Japan became panic-stricken in the face of the
Gulf war. Since there had never been a change in government under
the 1955 political structure, politicians tilted toward money
politics and retreated to safe politics. Ozawa's "Blue Print for a
New Japan" captured the challenges posed by such an era.
Ozawa in 1993 set up non-LDP coalition administration led by
Morihiro Hosokawa, using his "strong arm" and succeeded in
introducing a single-seat constituency. However, because of his
"strong arm," he was defeated by the LDP-Socialist Party-Sakigake
administration's maneuvering, causing many of his close aides to
leave him. It is unforgettable that when he all of a sudden
disbanded the New Frontier Party (Shinshinto),Katsuya Okada
protested against him at a plenary meeting, "This is a coup d'tat.
This is a breach of faith against voters."
Ozawa's displayed dexterity in power struggles. He has never given
up even when he found himself in a shaky situation. Even when he was
in such a situation, he built a new battle line and gathered himself
up, by expanding the battlefield.
When the writer asked former Upper House member Sadao Hirano,
Ozawa's close aide, whether the objective of Ozawa's politics was
not policy but power struggle itself, he replied, "It is true that
you cannot do anything unless you take over the reins of
government." Ozawa, who has continued to advocate a change in
government, might have been a revolutionary who attempts to bring
TOKYO 00001080 015 OF 016
about change after taking over power.
However, the political donations scandal caused by Nishimatsu
Construction Co. evoked Kakuei Tanaka's money politics. Massive
donations by a specific construction company recalled the memory of
Kakuei Tanaka's money politics. Supreme Advisor to the DPJ Kozo
Watanabe, who has been with Ozawa since 1969, when they both were
elected to the Diet for the first time, said, "Since the single-seat
constituency system was introduced, election costs were cut from the
100 million yen level to 10 million yen level. I don't know why Mr.
Ozawa is trying to collect such a large amount of money."
Ozawa might have tried to get by the scandal this time in the same
way as in the past. There is criticism of public prosecutors'
investigation method. However, even if he can tide over criticism
from political circles with a power game, he can no longer stop
people from being put off by money politics.
(10) DPJ leader Ozawa steps down to avoid being covered with flames
in party head talks, according to pundits' analysis
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 22) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Ichiro Ozawa suddenly announced his resignation as Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ) president in a hastily called press conference
yesterday. Before making the decision, Ozawa had said: "I am
determined to thoroughly fight the prosecution;" and, "I do not mind
stepping down in order to realize a change in government." In the
press conference, however, he gave no clear explanation about why he
decided to resign. Why now? Who is considered to be an ideal
successor to Ozawa? Will the situation turn around? The Tokyo
Shimbun asked pundits for their views about questions the public are
likely to have, such as the above-listed questions.
To a question of why Ozawa decided to resign at this timing, Harumi
Arima, a political commentator, thinks that his strong awareness of
the next general election was behind his decision. He said:
"Hypothetically speaking, if the Lower House were dissolved today,
political parties would need to immediately start preparations for
an election. Now is the maximum limit for preparations for the next
Lower House election."
Arima said: "I guess that he had to decide to reluctantly step down
after hearing a number of DPJ lawmakers complaining they would not
be able to win the next election under Ozawa. The lawmakers were
bearing in mind views expressed by voters in their electoral
districts during the Golden Week holidays."
Prime Minister Aso and Ozawa were scheduled to hold bilateral talks
on the 13th. Some observers see the plan for the meeting prompted
Ozawa to decide to resign. Minoru Morita, a political commentator,
said: "If party head talks were held, Ozawa would undoubtedly be
severely attacked. He might have judged there would have no choice
but to resign."
Rieko Zanma, a freelance producer, also takes the view that the plan
for party head talks would have driven Ozawa into resignation,
remarking: "In the party head talks, Prime Minister Aso was ready to
take up various issues and grill him. President Ozawa might have
given consideration to the future of the DPJ, rather than his own
fate, at the very last moment."
TOKYO 00001080 016 OF 016
Hiroko Hagiwara, an economic journalist, categorically said:
"I have questions about why he decided to resign now. But this
decision must be a positive factor for the people. ... In the next
general election, a victory of the LDP by a narrow margin is the
worst outcome for this country. Setting aside the question of the
DPJ's capability, if the ruling coalition fails to obtain an
absolute majority in the Lower House, the state of the divided Diet
will become more serious than the present state, and eventually, the
Diet will become stalled. Now that we are in a once-in-a-century
critical state due to the global recession, it is undesirable to
allow the Diet stalled."
Supporters in Iwate Constituency No. 4 left with hazy feeling
Supporters of Ozawa in Iwate Constituency No. 4, his electoral
district, were watching Ozawa announcing his resignation (on the TV)
with a regrettable look. Ichiro Chikura, a classmate of Ozawa in
elementary and junior high school, grumbled: "It is truly
regrettable, and I have been left with a hazy feeling. His
resignation could be taken as his acknowledgement of (his
responsibility for his secretary's arrest over a political funds
scandal."
Expectations were growing for the first prime minister, following
Zenko Suzuki, to be born in Iwate. But with Ozawa's resignation,
this possibility vanished in the air. A former secretary to Ozawa
has announced his candidacy on the LDP ticket in the next Lower
House election from this constituency.
Chikura said:
"Since he (Ozawa) is pure, he should have had no desire to become
prime minister. He has consistently called for a two-party system
since he decided to leave the LDP. People are still calling for a
regime change. I wanted him to take the leadership at such a
juncture."
ZUMWALT
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 05/12/09
INDEX:
(1) Ruling bloc loses "criticism card" with Ozawa's resignation: DPJ
presidential election needs to be watched; Early Diet dissolution
difficult? (Mainichi)
(2) Scope column: Will DPJ choose Okada or Hatoyama for new party
head? Will new president make reforms or maintain conventional
policy? (Tokyo Shimbun)
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties (Yomiuri)
(4) Poll on citizen judge system (Yomiuri)
(5) Key to U.S.-DPRK dialogue nowhere in sight; Bosworth arrives in
Japan; North Korea remains mulish (Asahi)
(6) Young Obama's visit to Japan: footprints in "only atomic-bombed
country"(Tokyo Shimbun)
(7) While Putin is in Japan, Japan intends to grope for Russia's
real intention on Northern Territories, Russia expected to
prioritize signing nuclear power agreement (Mainichi)
(8) Putin to visit Japan on May 11; Japan, Russia to sign nuclear
cooperation deal (Sankei)
(9) Reformist gives in to public opinion (Asahi)
(10) DPJ leader Ozawa steps down to avoid being covered with flames
in party head talks, according to pundits' analysis (Tokyo Shimbun)
ARTICLES:
(1) Ruling bloc loses "criticism card" with Ozawa's resignation: DPJ
presidential election needs to be watched; Early Diet dissolution
difficult?
MAINICHI (page 2) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Hirohiko Sakaguchi, Ryuko Tadokoro
With Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's
announcement of his resignation, the government and the ruling
bloc's strategy for the dissolution of the Diet, premised on Ozawa's
continuing to serve as DPJ chief, is becoming disrupted. Prime
Minister Taro Aso, who has been on the offensive since the arrest of
Ozawa's secretary, had been hoping to keep a complete free hand in
determining the timing of Diet dissolution. But now, he will have to
see how the election of the new DPJ president turns out. Some people
in the government and the ruling parties are beginning to think that
unless there is upheaval in the DPJ - caused by the intensification
of internal strife, for instance - early dissolution will be
difficult.
At an executive meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on May
11, Aso said: "Regardless of whether Mr. Ozawa resigns or not, the
most important thing is to implement economic measures without fail.
I would like to enact the supplementary budget as soon as possible,"
stressing his intention to pass the FY09 supplementary budget and
the related legislations at an early date. However, his plan to gain
TOKYO 00001080 002 OF 016
a free hand in dissolving the Diet anytime after the enactment of
the supplementary budget has now been upset by Ozawa's announcement
of his resignation.
The prime minister gained a psychological advantage over Ozawa with
the arrest of the latter's secretary. Since then, the government and
the ruling bloc had been criticizing the DPJ for Ozawa's holding on
to the party's presidency, and had been working on restoring the
cabinet support rate by chalking up achievements, such as additional
economic measures. For this very reason, the sudden resignation
announcement is seriously disconcerting. Criticism has been voiced
that "Mr. Ozawa needs to give a proper explanation on issues
relating to politics and money." (New Komeito Secretary General
Kazuo Kitagawa)
For now, moves relating to the election of the new DPJ president and
the stance of the party's new leadership will have to be watched.
Former LDP secretary general Koichi Kato voices alarm that, "The
harder Mr. Ozawa worked (as the president),the better it would have
been for the LDP. We need to be careful. There will be growing
interest in the DPJ's presidential election, and the people's
attention may move to the DPJ."
If there is internal strife in the DPJ, the scenario of early Diet
dissolution, after the enactment of the supplementary budget in late
May, will be possible. However, former LDP secretary general Bunmei
Ibuki expresses a negative view: "Mr. Aso is not thinking of such a
petty thing as taking advantage of the other side's troubles to
dissolve the Diet."
What happens next will depend on how the DPJ deals with Diet
affairs. The government and the ruling bloc are considering a
substantial extension of the current Diet session until July to
allow the passage of important bills, including bills related to the
supplementary budget and the anti-piracy law. Since New Komeito is
also strongly opposed to the dissolution of the Diet and a general
election around the time of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election
on July 12, the likely choice of date for dissolution will be some
time after the Emperor and Empress return from their visit to Canada
and Hawaii on July 17.
In that case, voting for the House of Representatives election is
expected to take place in August, close to the end of the term of
office of Lower House members. If the DPJ makes a forceful comeback
as a party by then, Aso's Diet dissolution may end up being
something that he is forced into doing.
Certain people in the ruling parties are concerned about such an
eventuality. During a program broadcast on CS television on the
evening of May 11, former prime minister Shinzo Abe said: "After the
passage of the supplementary budget, the prime minister will have a
free hand in dissolving the Diet. It will be better for the LDP to
hold an election by making a decision at a certain point, rather
than doing it at the end of the term of office," touching on his
preference for dissolution at an early date.
(2) Scope column: Will DPJ choose Okada or Hatoyama for new party
head? Will new president make reforms or maintain conventional
policy?
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
May 12, 2009
TOKYO 00001080 003 OF 016
With Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa's
announcement of his resignation, the focus now is on who will be
elected as the new DPJ president. Many junior and mid-level DPJ
members are calling for DPJ Vice President Katsuya Okada to run in
the party leadership election. Some lawmakers are looking into the
possibility of backing DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, who has
supported Ozawa. If the presidential election ends up being a
contest between Okada and Hatoyama, whether the present party
structure and policy are reformed or maintained will be a point at
issue in order to bring about a change in government.
Regarding Ozawa's resignation, Okada, who is regarded as the
front-runner to replace Ozawa, said yesterday: "(Ozawa) made a
significant decision. The question is who can bring about a change
in government." Asked about whether he would file his candidacy,
Okada responded: "I'm considering it." This seemed to be a rather
specific reply for Okada, who tends to be cautious.
DPJ lawmakers close to Okada predict that he is certain to run in
the election, with one member saying: "He has been determined to
run." Another said: "I will urge him to file his candidacy." There
are many members supporting Okada in the group led by Vice President
Seiji Maehara and the other group led by Public Relations Committee
Chairman Yoshihiko Noda. In addition, Okada has cross-sectional
support in the DPJ.
As head of the party's political reform promotion taskforce, Okada
played a leadership role in consolidating views in the party on
banning donations from corporations and organizations and
restricting candidates from running for the Diet seats held by their
relatives. Since Ozawa has suffered a defeat caused to the issue of
"politics and money," many DPJ members believe that Okada, who has a
clean image, is the most suitable person to reform the party with an
eye on the upcoming Lower House election.
Premised on Okada's assumption of the presidency, a mid-level
lawmaker said: "In June, our party will concentrate on whether to
renew our manifesto." The lawmaker means that since Okada has
distanced himself from Ozawa, he may reform the party's conventional
policies and structure.
Therefore, some of the DPJ members favoring the troika system made
up of Ozawa, Hatoyama, and Deputy President Naoto Kan, along with
its policies, are looking into the possibility of Hatoyama
succeeding Ozawa. This is because Hatoyama backed Ozawa even after
the discovery of the illegal donation scandal involving Ozawa's
secretary.
Hatoyama told the press corps yesterday in a strong tone that he
would step down from his post along with Ozawa. Regarding the
possibility of his running in the party leadership race, he just
said: "Since I have just heard about the president's intention to
leave his post, I have no idea about my future right now."
Hatoyama has repeatedly said that he has a joint responsibility with
Ozawa and shares his fate. Therefore, if Hatoyama runs in the
election, he will unavoidably meet with strong reactions from
lawmakers supporting Okada.
Ozawa said that he would resign to ensure party unity. However,
there is even a possibility that his resignation will develop into a
TOKYO 00001080 004 OF 016
generational conflict between a group of lawmakers calling for a
generational change and another group that favors maintaining the
present party structure.
(3) Poll on Aso cabinet, political parties
YOMIURI (Page 8) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage)
Q: Do you support the Aso cabinet?
Yes 28.7
No 59.7
Other answers (O/A) 1.8
No answer (N/A) 9.8
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question)
Pick only one from among the following reasons for your approval of
the Aso cabinet.
Something can be expected of its policy measures 25.0
The prime minister has leadership 9.7
There's something stable about the prime minister 11.0
His cabinet's lineup is good 11.6
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New
Komeito 32.4
O/A 3.6
N/A 6.8
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Pick
only one from among the following reasons for your disapproval of
the Aso cabinet.
Nothing can be expected of its policy measures 37.2
The prime minister lacks leadership 21.3
There's nothing stable about the prime minister 23.4
His cabinet's lineup is not good 2.8
Because it's a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New
Komeito 13.9
O/A 0.8
N/A 0.6
Q: Which political party do you support now?
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 26.8
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) 23.4
New Komeito (NK) 4.4
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 2.4
Social Democratic Party (SDP or Shaminto) 0.8
People's New Party (PNP or Kokumin Shinto) 0.1
Reform Club (RC or Kaikaku Kurabu) ---
New Party Nippon (NPN or Shinto Nippon) ---
Other political parties ---
None 39.2
N/A 2.9
Q: When comparing Prime Minister Aso and DPJ President Ozawa, who do
you think is more appropriate for prime minister?
TOKYO 00001080 005 OF 016
Prime Minister Aso 40.1
DPJ President Ozawa 24.8
N/A 35.1
Q: The government has presented the Diet with its supplementary
budget of the largest scale ever to fund an additional economic
stimulus package. Do you appreciate it?
Yes 41.0
No 47.9
N/A 11.2
Q: DPJ President Ozawa's secretary has been indicted for allegedly
receiving illicit donations. Meanwhile, DPJ President Ozawa has
clarified his intention to stay on as party head. Is this
convincing?
Yes 21.8
No 71.1
N/A 7.1
Q: Do you think DPJ President Ozawa has fulfilled his accountability
on the case this time?
Yes 6.7
No 86.7
N/A 6.6
Q: The new type of influenza is spreading. Do you think the
government is dealing with this situation in an appropriate manner?
Yes 80.1
No 15.0
N/A 4.9
Q: Do you fear that someone you know may be infected with the new
type of influenza?
Yes 27.9
No 69.8
N/A 2.2
Q: Are you or is your family doing something against the new type of
influenza this time?
Yes 36.8
No 63.1
N/A 0.1
Q: (Only for those who answered "yes" to the foregoing question).
Pick anything you or your family is doing.
Wear a mask when going out 42.8
Wash hands well 96.0
Try to keep away from crowded places 63.4
Keep masks and medicines 50.1
Keep foodstuffs 26.0
Gather information through newspapers, TV, etc. 81.2
O/A 0.8
N/A 0.1
TOKYO 00001080 006 OF 016
Q: Do you think the House of Representatives should be dissolved for
a general election right away, or do you otherwise think there's no
need to hurry?
Right away 34.1
No need to hurry 55.9
N/A 10.0
Q: If an election were to be held now for the House of
Representatives, which political party would you like to vote for in
your proportional representation bloc?
LDP 26.5
DPJ 30.2
NK 5.0
JCP 3.6
SDP 1.2
PNP 0.2
RC ---
NPN ---
Other political parties 0.1
Undecided 24.4
N/A 8.8
Q: What form of government would you like to see after the next
election for the House of Representatives?
LDP-led coalition government 15.0
DPJ-led coalition government 17.4
LDP-DPJ grand coalition government 22.9
Government under new framework after political realignment 38.7
O/A 0.0
N/A 6.0
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted May 8-10 across the
nation on a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis.
Households with one or more eligible voters totaled 1,779. Valid
answers were obtained from 1,091 persons (61.3 PERCENT ).
(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not become 100
PERCENT due to rounding.
(4) Poll on citizen judge system
YOMIURI (Page 23) (Full)
May 3, 2009
Questions & Answers
(Figures shown in percentage)
Q: What was your impression of court rulings handed down on
incidents and accidents in criminal trials? Pick only one from among
those listed below.
Often felt too heavy 4.3
Often felt too light 49.7
Often felt appropriate 34.0
No answer (N/A) 12.0
Q: The citizen judge system will start May 21. This system is for
people selected by drawing lots to participate in criminal court
trials on such major cases as murder and decide on whether guilty or
TOKYO 00001080 007 OF 016
not and punishment with the court judges. To what extent do you know
this system? Pick only one from among those listed below.
Know well 4.1
Know somewhat 44.7
Know at least its name 42.9
Know nothing 7.5
N/A 0.9
Q: The citizen judge system mandates people to participate in a
court trial. Do you support introducing this system?
Yes 13.9
Yes to a certain degree 20.1
No to a certain degree 31.5
No 30.3
N/A 4.1
Q: Would you like to participate in a court trial as a citizen
judge?
Yes 18.1
No 79.2
N/A 2.7
Q: (Only for those who answered "no" to the foregoing question) Why?
Pick as many reasons as you like from among those listed below, if
any.
Because I'm not confident in accurate judgment on whether guilty or
not 50.1
Because I'm not confident in judgment on appropriate punishment
52.5
Because I feel reluctant to try someone 51.4
Because I'm worried about incurring resentment from the accused or
those having something to do with the accused 16.5
Because it's troublesome to get involved in a case 16.3
Because I cannot take time due to my job or family circumstances
31.7
Other answers (O/A) 3.3
Nothing in particular (NIP) 1.5
N/A 0.8
Q: Anyone selected as a candidate to become a citizen judge is not
allowed to decline unless there is some special reason. Do you think
the candidate should be allowed to decline as much as possible?
Yes 72.0
No 23.3
N/A 4.7
Q: Most court trials involving citizen judges are expected to be
held for an intensive period of 3 to 5 days. What do you think about
this period of time if you were to become a citizen judge? Pick only
one from among those listed below.
It can be longer 23.7
It should be shorter 20.8
It's appropriate 43.1
N/A 12.4
TOKYO 00001080 008 OF 016
Q: In a court trial, a dead body or other cruel photos may be shown
as proofs. Do you think it's all right to see such photos if you
were to become a citizen judge?
Yes 36.9
No 60.8
N/A 2.3
Q: If you were to become a citizen judge, do you choose capital
punishment when you think capital punishment is appropriate for the
case you judge?
Yes 62.5
No 23.1
N/A 14.3
Q: In criminal cases subject to the citizen judge system, the
prosecutors and police are now beginning to record or video-tape
some of their interrogations. This is for citizen judges to check to
see if their interrogations were done in an appropriate manner. But
there is also an opinion noting that the suspect can hardly tell the
truth. Do you think the interrogations of suspects should be
recorded and video-taped in a positive way?
Yes 73.2
No 16.1
N/A 10.7
Q: How do you think Japan's criminal trials will change after the
citizen judge system starts? Pick as many as you like from among
those listed below if any.
Easy to see court trials 22.7
Feel court trials closely 38.1
Public sensitivity will be reflected in court rulings 37.3
Court rulings will be affected by sentiment 37.8
Court trials will be careless 12.3
Court rulings will vary with cases 40.2
O/A 0.6
NIP 7.5
N/A 3.9
Q: Do you think Japan's criminal court trials will improve or worsen
on the whole after the citizen judge system starts?
Improve 12.9
Improve to a certain degree 35.3
Worsen to a certain degree 18.7
Worsen 8.2
N/A 24.9
Q: Do you think the capital punishment system should be maintained
or abolished?
Maintain 56.7
Maintain to a certain degree 23.8
Abolish to a certain degree 8.5
Abolish 5.7
N/A 5.3
TOKYO 00001080 009 OF 016
Polling methodology
Date of survey: April 25-26.
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: 1,810 persons (60.3 PERCENT )
Breakdown of respondents: Male-49 PERCENT , female-51 PERCENT ;
persons in their 20s-10 PERCENT , 30s-15 PERCENT , 40s-17 PERCENT ,
50s-21 PERCENT , 60s-22 PERCENT , 70 and over-15 PERCENT ; big
cities (Tokyo's 23 wards and government-designated cities)-23
PERCENT , major cities (with a population of more than 300,000)-18
PERCENT , medium-size cities (with a population of more than
100,000)-24 PERCENT , small cities (with a population of less than
100,000)-23 PERCENT , towns and villages-12 PERCENT .
(Note) In some cases, the total percentage does not become 100
PERCENT due to rounding.
(5) Key to U.S.-DPRK dialogue nowhere in sight; Bosworth arrives in
Japan; North Korea remains mulish
ASAHI (Page 7) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Yusuke Murayama, Toru Higashioka, and Yoshihiro Makino in Seoul
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth
arrived in Japan yesterday on the last leg of his Asia tour which
also took him to China and South Korea. A meeting with Foreign
Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Akitaka
Saiki completed the major events in Bosworth's Asia tour that
followed North Korea's missile launch (on April 5). Although
Bosworth seems set to respond to North Korea's call for direct
dialogue with the United States, Pyongyang maintains its tough
stance, as seen in its criticism that specifically mentioned the
Obama administration by name. The United States has yet to find a
way out of the deadlock.
Bosworth arrived in Tokyo after visiting Beijing and Seoul. During
the talks, Bosworth and Saiki confirmed a policy direction to deal
calmly with North Korea which has repeatedly carried out provocative
acts, such as an announcement to withdraw from the Six-Party Talks
and an indication to conduct a nuclear test, since firing the
missile in April in the name of a satellite.
Bosworth's Asia tour, however, did not necessarily produce results
that are directly linked to a way out.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated that the North has
taken provocative steps because it was shocked by the endorsement by
China and Russia of a UN Security Council presidential statement
condemning the North's missile launch. During his Asia tour,
Bosworth noted that the United States was prepared to deal with
North Korea bilaterally in a way that reinforces the multilateral
process, while aiming to build up cooperation among the five
countries excluding North Korea that was strengthened in the process
of adopting the presidential statement. At the same time, Bosworth
said: "The United States is prepared to deal with North Korea
bilaterally in a way that reinforces the multilateral process." The
special representative apparently searched for common ground to meet
TOKYO 00001080 010 OF 016
the North's desire for direct dialogue.
The North still takes a pigheaded attitude. A North Korean Foreign
Ministry spokesman criticized the Obama administration by name on
May 8, the day Bosworth arrived in Seoul. He reiterated Pyongyang's
past assertion that it would further strengthen its nuclear
deterrent, rejecting dialogue. It is clear that the North wants to
elicit advantageous conditions from the United States. Asked about
concrete measures by the press, Bosworth simply said, "The door to
dialogue remains open," signaling the lack of a silver bullet.
Although it advocates dialogue, the United States is not in a
condition to easily provide a 'carrot' as a reward. Saddled with
tough diplomatic issues, such as the problem of Afghanistan and
Pakistan where security is deteriorating, U.S. Congress slammed the
government's response to North Korea's series of provocative acts as
weak-kneed.
The view on direct dialogue varies from government to government. A
South Korean government official said: "At present, chances are slim
for the North to respond to a call for dialogue." He also noted that
as a result of talks with the United States, a decision was made to
consider different timing.
The Japanese government revealed a plan to endorse dialogue between
the United States and North Korea on the condition that Japan and
South Korea hold prior consultations and that the abduction issue is
taken up. After the meeting with Bosworth yesterday, Saiki
underlined the need to continue pursuing the dialogue and pressure
approach before the press, saying: "It would be inadvisable to
present concessions and a 'carrot' for the sake of an early
resumption of the talks."
(6) Young Obama's visit to Japan: footprints in "only atomic-bombed
country"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (page 2) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Yoichi Toyoda
Obama is the first African-American to become president in U.S.
history. In early April, he became the first U.S. president to admit
the moral responsibility of the first country to have actually used
a nuclear weapon by dropping nuclear bombs on Japan. A visit by the
U.S. president to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which has never happened
before, has suddenly become a focus of attention. Actually, Obama
has set foot on Japan before with his mother as a young boy. What
did the young lad think of Japan at that time? This article looks
back on Obama's past and examines the possibility of his visiting
the atomic-bombed areas.
In 1967, a young boy came to Japan. He was Barack Obama, who later
became the 44th president of the United States. He was here with his
mother Anne on their way to Jakarta, where his Indonesian
step-father lived.
At that time, Indonesia was in the process of the transition of
power from Sukarno to Suharto. Obama must have been full of anxiety,
having to face life with a new father in a strange land shaken by
political change. At the same time, young Obama engraved his
memories of Japan in his mind.
TOKYO 00001080 011 OF 016
His book "Dreams from My Father" describes his three-day stay in
Japan as follows:
"We visited the Great Buddha in Kamakura in the cold rain. I ate
green-tea ice cream on the ferry gliding on the lake at the foot of
the mountain."
Keio University Professor Yasushi Watanabe, who is well-versed in
American politics, surmises that, "At that time, many Japanese
people lived in Hawaii. Japan was something familiar to Obama. He
was probably able to accept Japan naturally, and did not treat it as
a distant country."
Obama later became a community activist in Chicago, Illinois, went
on to serve in the Illinois state and federal senates, and won the
presidential election in 2008. Subsequently, he appointed former
first lady Hillary Clinton, his rival in the Democratic Party
primaries, as secretary of state.
After Clinton chose Japan as the first country she would visit after
assuming office, Obama ordered her to visit Indonesia as well. This
was the same route young Obama took 42 years ago.
"As the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United
States has a moral responsibility to act."
This was what Obama said in a speech he delivered on April 5, while
on a visit to Prague
Past presidents had never admitted the "moral responsibility of a
country that has used nuclear weapons" in an America where the
prominent opinion is that the atomic bombs brought the war to an
early end. Obama's statement has suddenly raised hopes for the U.S.
president to visit the atomic-bombed areas.
There had been proposals to visit the atomic-bombed areas in the
past. When George W. Bush was president, he said in an interview
with the Japanese media that this was an "interesting proposal," but
the visit never materialized. The most senior U.S. official to have
visited the atomic-bombed areas is House of Representatives speaker
Nancy Pelosi, who visited Hiroshima in September 2008.
In reaction to the Prague speech, Prime Minister Taro Aso wrote a
personal letter to Obama proposing "collaboration with the United
States on nuclear disarmament," which he gave to former Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe to deliver.
When Abe handed the prime minister's personal letter to Vice
President Joseph Biden, he inquired about the possibility of the
President's visit to the atomic-bombed areas. With this, the visit
has become an item on the political agenda rather than just a
proposal.
Obama is expected to visit Japan in November this year for the first
time as president. Will the visit to the atomic-bombed areas take
place while he is in office? Watanabe says:
"I think it is possible if we are able to explain adequately that
the visit will benefit Japan-U.S. relations and enhance the United
States' prestige, and if we are able to gain non-partisan support."
TOKYO 00001080 012 OF 016
(7) While Putin is in Japan, Japan intends to grope for Russia's
real intention on Northern Territories, Russia expected to
prioritize signing nuclear power agreement
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
May 11, 2009
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Japan for three
days starting today to meet Prime Minister Taro Aso tomorrow. Aso
and President Dmitry Medvedev agreed in their meeting in February to
resolve the Northern Territories issue through a new, creative and
unconventional approach. In the meeting, Aso intends to seek out
Putin's real intention on the territorial issue. But Putin is
unwilling to hold an in-depth discussion on the territorial issue.
Given this, economic cooperation, including the signing of a nuclear
power accord, is likely to take center stage in the Aso-Putting
meeting.
Putin made three visits in the capacity of president, but this is
the first Japan visit since he assumed office as prime minister last
year.
Responding to an interview with foreign news companies held before
leaving for Japan, Putting clearly said: "I will place emphasis on
economic and trade issues." The Russian government has placed
emphasis particularly on signing a nuclear power agreement, which is
premised on exports of nuclear materials and technologies for
civilian use. Russia has the goal of establishing 26 nuclear power
plants by 2030. The Russian government expects to introduce Japanese
companies' technologies in this project, as Energy Security Center
Head Borovkov (TN: phonetic) said: "The process from designing to
completion takes as many as six years in Russia but only four years
in Japan."
Putin is also scheduled to deliver a lecture in a forum that will
bring together business leaders from Japan and Russia tomorrow. His
delegation includes four economic ministers, including the energy
minister, and business leaders. Russia has been calling on Japanese
firms to participate in its projects, such as constructing a gas
pipeline stretching from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok and a liquefied
natural gas (LNG) facility.
Meanwhile, Government Representative Shotaro Yachi, an advisor to
Prime Minister Aso on foreign policy, said in April: "The return of
3.5 islands (instead of the return of the four Russian-controlled
islands) would be acceptable." Because this remark caused the
conjecture that Japan was taking a flexible stance, the Japanese
government busily ran around to deny the conjecture, emphasizing no
change in its conventional stance of seeking the return of the four
islands.
Japan intends to ascertain what move the Russian side will make,
following Aso's meeting with President Dmitri Medvedev in February,
with a senior Foreign Ministry official saying: "The ball is now in
the Russian court."
Even so, Prime Minister Putin has said: "The president is
responsible for diplomatic issues. I cannot make any comment before
the Japanese government determines its stance." Given this, the
dominant view among persons concerned is that progress is unlikely
on the territorial issue in the Aso-Putin meeting.
TOKYO 00001080 013 OF 016
(8) Putin to visit Japan on May 11; Japan, Russia to sign nuclear
cooperation deal
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
May 8, 2009
Ryosuke Endo, Moscow
The outlook is that Japan and Russia will sign a nuclear cooperation
agreement when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits Japan on
May 11. The accord will be a legal framework for the two countries
to transfer nuclear materials. This was revealed on May 7 by sources
connected to Japan-Russia relations. After concluding the accord,
Japan intends to entrust Moscow with uranium enrichment and the
re-enrichment of spent uranium fuel. Japan-Russia relations will
likely reach a new stage in which Japan will increase its dependence
on Russia through the nuclear pact, without seeing any progress on
the dispute over the four Russia-held islands off Hokkaido.
The nuclear agreement will become a prerequisite for the transfer of
nuclear materials and technology for peaceful use. Japan has
concluded such a pact with seven countries and organizations,
including the United States. Tokyo has carried out negotiations with
Moscow since April 2007. The pact stipulates that the military use
of nuclear materials and technology is banned. It also stipulates
that the preservation place of nuclear materials should be limited
to facilities that have accepted inspections by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russia has 40 PERCENT of the enriched uranium in the word. It is
believed that Russian holds enormous potentials for technology and
facilities. Japan intends to entrust Russia with the enrichment of
uranium that it will purchase from Kazakhstan, with the world
second-largest uranium reserves, so that it will gain a new nuclear
fuel supply source. Tokyo has also a notion of creating a new
nuclear fuel cycle, including Russia, after paving the way for the
re-enrichment of recovered uranium stored in Britain and France.
On the other hand, Russia is interested in nuclear reactor
production technologies of such heavy electric machinery makers as
Toshiba.
Japan, the only atomic-bombed country, has considered from the start
strict inspections by the IAEA a prior condition for a nuclear
cooperation deal. In Russia, however, there was resistance mainly in
the military against the acceptance of IAEA inspections. Russia is
the only country among the five nuclear powers that does not allow
the IAEA to conduct inspections. For this reason, there is a
possibility that the scope of Japan-Russia nuclear cooperation will
be limited, depending on negotiations between Russia and the IAEA.
On alert for a possible outflow of secret information and
technologies to Japan, the Europe and the United States, many in the
Russian government have been against the nuclear pact. There is also
a possibility that the signing of the agreement will be forgone.
According to the Interfax, Yuri Ushakov, Putin's deputy chief of
staff, referring to Putin's Japan visit at a press conference on May
7, said that Putin was "ready to discuss the territorial issue," but
Japan should not have "excessive expectations."
(9) Reformist gives in to public opinion
TOKYO 00001080 014 OF 016
ASAHI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly)
May 12, 2009
Toru Hayano, columnist at head office
Ichiro Ozawa, who was once in the center of government
administration and undertook political revolt at other times,
stumbled when he was about to bring about a change in government. He
has survived a number of setbacks with a keen sense of power
inherited from Kakuei Tanaka, his mentor. However, he has now given
in to a public that has been distancing itself from him, detesting
money politics.
Japanese politics for the past two decades can be termed Ozawa-era
politics. Ozawa, while putting up political reform as his policy
slogan, has always been in turbulent political situations whether he
was in a ruling party or in an opposition party. A senior Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) official, who once was Ozawa's close aide,
said, "Mr. Ozawa is indifferent to daily politics. He becomes active
only in an abnormal situation."
He grew up as a politician under the wing of Kakuei Tanaka, who can
be called one of the leading postwar political figures. Tanaka
drilled his organized election strategy into Ozawa. He was a
favorite with Shin Kanemaru and became the Liberal Democratic
Party's (LDP) secretary general when he was 47 years old. He was a
prince in the Tanaka-Takeshita faction, when it was in full power.
If he had remained in the LDP, he might have become prime minister
sooner or later.
However, Ozawa broke away from the LDP, advocating political reform.
His defeat in a struggle to succeed to the Takeshita faction is not
the only reason why he bolted from the LDP. Tanaka was arrested with
his shady financial dealings exposed in connection with the Lockheed
scandal. Kanemaru evaded paying a huge amount of taxes and hid gold
ingots. At that time, Japan became panic-stricken in the face of the
Gulf war. Since there had never been a change in government under
the 1955 political structure, politicians tilted toward money
politics and retreated to safe politics. Ozawa's "Blue Print for a
New Japan" captured the challenges posed by such an era.
Ozawa in 1993 set up non-LDP coalition administration led by
Morihiro Hosokawa, using his "strong arm" and succeeded in
introducing a single-seat constituency. However, because of his
"strong arm," he was defeated by the LDP-Socialist Party-Sakigake
administration's maneuvering, causing many of his close aides to
leave him. It is unforgettable that when he all of a sudden
disbanded the New Frontier Party (Shinshinto),Katsuya Okada
protested against him at a plenary meeting, "This is a coup d'tat.
This is a breach of faith against voters."
Ozawa's displayed dexterity in power struggles. He has never given
up even when he found himself in a shaky situation. Even when he was
in such a situation, he built a new battle line and gathered himself
up, by expanding the battlefield.
When the writer asked former Upper House member Sadao Hirano,
Ozawa's close aide, whether the objective of Ozawa's politics was
not policy but power struggle itself, he replied, "It is true that
you cannot do anything unless you take over the reins of
government." Ozawa, who has continued to advocate a change in
government, might have been a revolutionary who attempts to bring
TOKYO 00001080 015 OF 016
about change after taking over power.
However, the political donations scandal caused by Nishimatsu
Construction Co. evoked Kakuei Tanaka's money politics. Massive
donations by a specific construction company recalled the memory of
Kakuei Tanaka's money politics. Supreme Advisor to the DPJ Kozo
Watanabe, who has been with Ozawa since 1969, when they both were
elected to the Diet for the first time, said, "Since the single-seat
constituency system was introduced, election costs were cut from the
100 million yen level to 10 million yen level. I don't know why Mr.
Ozawa is trying to collect such a large amount of money."
Ozawa might have tried to get by the scandal this time in the same
way as in the past. There is criticism of public prosecutors'
investigation method. However, even if he can tide over criticism
from political circles with a power game, he can no longer stop
people from being put off by money politics.
(10) DPJ leader Ozawa steps down to avoid being covered with flames
in party head talks, according to pundits' analysis
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 22) (Full)
May 12, 2009
Ichiro Ozawa suddenly announced his resignation as Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ) president in a hastily called press conference
yesterday. Before making the decision, Ozawa had said: "I am
determined to thoroughly fight the prosecution;" and, "I do not mind
stepping down in order to realize a change in government." In the
press conference, however, he gave no clear explanation about why he
decided to resign. Why now? Who is considered to be an ideal
successor to Ozawa? Will the situation turn around? The Tokyo
Shimbun asked pundits for their views about questions the public are
likely to have, such as the above-listed questions.
To a question of why Ozawa decided to resign at this timing, Harumi
Arima, a political commentator, thinks that his strong awareness of
the next general election was behind his decision. He said:
"Hypothetically speaking, if the Lower House were dissolved today,
political parties would need to immediately start preparations for
an election. Now is the maximum limit for preparations for the next
Lower House election."
Arima said: "I guess that he had to decide to reluctantly step down
after hearing a number of DPJ lawmakers complaining they would not
be able to win the next election under Ozawa. The lawmakers were
bearing in mind views expressed by voters in their electoral
districts during the Golden Week holidays."
Prime Minister Aso and Ozawa were scheduled to hold bilateral talks
on the 13th. Some observers see the plan for the meeting prompted
Ozawa to decide to resign. Minoru Morita, a political commentator,
said: "If party head talks were held, Ozawa would undoubtedly be
severely attacked. He might have judged there would have no choice
but to resign."
Rieko Zanma, a freelance producer, also takes the view that the plan
for party head talks would have driven Ozawa into resignation,
remarking: "In the party head talks, Prime Minister Aso was ready to
take up various issues and grill him. President Ozawa might have
given consideration to the future of the DPJ, rather than his own
fate, at the very last moment."
TOKYO 00001080 016 OF 016
Hiroko Hagiwara, an economic journalist, categorically said:
"I have questions about why he decided to resign now. But this
decision must be a positive factor for the people. ... In the next
general election, a victory of the LDP by a narrow margin is the
worst outcome for this country. Setting aside the question of the
DPJ's capability, if the ruling coalition fails to obtain an
absolute majority in the Lower House, the state of the divided Diet
will become more serious than the present state, and eventually, the
Diet will become stalled. Now that we are in a once-in-a-century
critical state due to the global recession, it is undesirable to
allow the Diet stalled."
Supporters in Iwate Constituency No. 4 left with hazy feeling
Supporters of Ozawa in Iwate Constituency No. 4, his electoral
district, were watching Ozawa announcing his resignation (on the TV)
with a regrettable look. Ichiro Chikura, a classmate of Ozawa in
elementary and junior high school, grumbled: "It is truly
regrettable, and I have been left with a hazy feeling. His
resignation could be taken as his acknowledgement of (his
responsibility for his secretary's arrest over a political funds
scandal."
Expectations were growing for the first prime minister, following
Zenko Suzuki, to be born in Iwate. But with Ozawa's resignation,
this possibility vanished in the air. A former secretary to Ozawa
has announced his candidacy on the LDP ticket in the next Lower
House election from this constituency.
Chikura said:
"Since he (Ozawa) is pure, he should have had no desire to become
prime minister. He has consistently called for a two-party system
since he decided to leave the LDP. People are still calling for a
regime change. I wanted him to take the leadership at such a
juncture."
ZUMWALT