JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/26/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001177 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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/26/09 Index: North Korea nuclear test: 1) Ruling and opposition parties all denounce North Korea for testing another nuclear weapon (Mainichi) 2) Government considering full embargo on all trade with North Korea (Nikkei) 3) Government did not expect the timing of Pyongyang's latest nuclear test (Yomiuri) 4) Over 50 North Korean technicians travelled to Iran since April, raising suspicions that the trips were related to the nuclear weapons program (Sankei) 5) Two pundits analyze the significance of the latest North Korea nuclear test (Yomiuri) 6) U.S., China, Russia denounce North Korea for nuclear testing; UN Security Council to meet; President Obama's nuclear free-world idea impacted (Asahi) 7) Government plans to ask for UN sanctions against North Korea (Nikkei) 8) Nuclear test calls into question future of 6-Party Talks (Tokyo Shimbun) Defense issues: 9) U.S. asks Japan to consider the F-35 instead of the F-22 as the most suitable aircraft to introduce (Tokyo Shimbun) 10) Government and ruling camp considering easing weapons export restrictions to allow joint development and commercialization (Nikkei) 11) Government to announce new greenhouse gas-reduction target next month of 7 PERCENT compared to 1990 (Mainichi) 12) Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan gets boost from favored candidate winning the Saitama mayoralty race (Nikkei) 13) OIE to recognize safety of Japanese beef; Government considering easing inspection guidelines (Tokyo Shimbun) Artciels: 1) Ruling and opposition parties denounce North Korea's second nuclear test; Calls for hard-line stance growing in LDP MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) May 26, 2009 Daisuke Ono, Takenori Noguchi, Joichi Sato The second nuclear test conducted on May 25 by North Korea has drawn fire from both ruling and opposition parties in Japan. Japan is growing irritated with North Korea, which conducted the test in defiance of a UN Security Council sanctions resolution and Japan's independent sanctions in reaction to a ballistic missile launch in April. Calls are growing in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for such options as possessing the capability to attack enemy bases and stepping up economic sanctions against the North. Meanwhile, the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) intends to formulate its manifesto (campaign pledges) for the next House of Representatives Election featuring a Northeast Asia denuclearization initiative and other nuclear disarmament policies. Former prime minister SHINZO ABE of the LDP made the following comment to a group of reporters in Fukuoka yesterday: "Japan would TOKYO 00001177 002 OF 011 be the most affected by North Korean missile and nuclear tests. The country must be thoroughly prepared." Former finance minister and financial services minister Shoichi Nakagawa, too, indicated to the Mainichi Shimbun the need to conduct serious discussion on North Korea. He indicated the notion that the LDP must study measures against North Korea with an eye on its manifesto for the next Lower House election. What ABE has in mind seems to be the possession of the capability of striking enemy bases. In 2006, Nakagawa, who was serving as LDP Policy Research Council chief at the time, underlined the need for Japan to discuss its nuclear options, creating a stir at home and abroad. Mid-level and junior lawmakers, including House of Councillors member Ichita Yamamoto, intend to come up with measures to strengthen the country's deterrence today, such as the possession of an enemy base strike capability, saying that Japan's security is now under a greater threat. Japan has unilaterally imposed sanctions against the North and is unable to find a way out of the current deadlock in dealing with the North. Given the situation, calls for a hard-line stance are gaining ground in the LDP. For instance, Taku Yamasaki, who has been advocating a dialogue policy course as chairman of the Parliamentary League to Promote Diplomatic Normalization between Japan and North Korea, exhibited a stern attitude in Tokyo yesterday, saying: "It is impossible for the time being to settle the matter based on a dialogue policy course. A response based on a new UN Security Council resolution will be necessary." New Komeito Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, too, said to a group of reporters in the Diet building: "If (the nuclear test by the North) is a fact, we must lodge a strong protest. There is obviously a need to consider new sanctions as well." 2) Japan mulling imposition of complete economic embargo on North Korea NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) May 26, 2009 In the wake of North Korea's nuclear test yesterday, the government has begun studying the option of further tightening its own economic sanctions against that country. The discussion is focused on shifting a ban on exports to the North, which is now limited to luxury goods, to a blanket export ban. But because the country has just recently strengthened its sanctions against the North in reaction to its launch of a Taepodong-2 missile in April, there are only a few "cards" that are at Japan's disposal. "We will consider what can be used as sanctions against the North in the remaining cards," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a press conference yesterday after a Security Council of Japan meeting. His comment also exposed the government's angst over the limited steps it can take to reinforce its own sanctions. The international community's reaction to the North after the Taepodong-2 launch was not monolithic. As such, the government is closely watching international opinion, including the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Taro Aso indicated that he would make a decision based on UNSC discussions by saying to the press at his TOKYO 00001177 003 OF 011 office, "It is proper to begin with discussions at the UNSC." The government intends to ask the UNSC for a new resolution on North Korea. Kawamura said: "It is unknown whether (the UNSC) will urge the North to abide by the resolutions adopted in the past or (adopt a resolution) on additional sanctions. No one can foretell what will happen." To conduct UNSC discussions at its advantage, Japan will hurry enhancing cooperation with countries concerned, such as the United States and South Korea. Kawamura indicated that the "situation is severe" regarding a possible impact on the Six-Party Talks by the North's nuclear test yesterday. There are calls in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for reinforced sanctions against the North if the Six-Party Talks cannot move forward immediately. In reaction to the North's launch in April of the Taepodong-2 missile, the government decided to extend for one year the ban on port calls by North Korean vessels and the ban on imports from North Korea. At that time, the government studied a total ban as one option but decided to keep it in reserve to use it in reaction to another nuclear test by the North. According to Finance Ministry trade statistics, imports from North Korea have been zero since 2007 and the total amount of exports to that country was less than 800 million yen. Some think that an embargo by Japan alone would be ineffective, but a government source said that such could be a symbolic act to signify Japan's resolute stance against the North. 3) Timing of nuclear test unexpected by government; DPRK warnings not seen as signs YOMIURI (Page 32) (Abridged) May 26, 2009 North Korea fired three short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan right after its nuclear test on May 25. The DPRK had issued navigation warnings setting off-limits areas in the Sea of Japan up to May 30, and this information had been known to the relevant ministries. However, that the nuclear test and short-range missile launches would come almost simultaneously was unexpected. Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol boats, cruising the Sea of Japan, had caught the DPRK's navigation warnings on May 21 and 23. The off-limits areas were two sections northeast and east of the DPRK. By early evening of May 25, the JCG had also caught the navigation warning issued for the area around West Korea Bay. Navigation warnings are transmitted to ships sailing nearby via radio signals and are also issued during naval exercises, shipwrecks, marine accidents, and so forth. The JCG had informed the relevant ministries via the Prime Minister's Office Residence (Kantei) that North Korea might be making moves right after it caught the information. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the National Police Agency had been gathering information recently since North Korea had announced it would conduct a nuclear test on April 29 and the comings and goings of trucks had been observed since May in the vicinity of North Hamgyong Province, where the nuclear test took place. However, the navigation warnings were not seen as signs of a nuclear test TOKYO 00001177 004 OF 011 based on the analysis that in order for North Korea to achieve direct negotiations with the U.S., "even if it conducts a nuclear test, it will have to adopt the diplomatic tactic of escalating the crisis level in stages," (according to a senior government official). For this reason, a senior MOD appeared to be surprised that "the test took place so quickly." At a regular news conference on the afternoon of May 25, although Vice Defense Minister Kohei Masuda said that he "does not feel" that the navigation warnings "are directly related to a nuclear test," he would only say "no comment" when asked if signs of such a test had been observed. 4) North Korean engineers visited Iran SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) May 26, 2009 A North Korean group of more than 50 nuclear and missile engineers, including operatives, visited Iran after North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile on April 5, sources close to diplomacy between Japan and the United States revealed yesterday. In Iran, they secretly visited Natanz, where an underground nuclear facility is believed to be located. Their visit will draw attention in connection with North Korea's underground nuclear test. In addition, North Korea, which has so far pursued nuclear development for plutonium-type weapons, is believed to be aiming to acquire Iran's technical know-how for uranium enrichment centrifugation. According to the sources and others, North Korea invited more than 10 Iranians, including military officers and scientists, at the time of its missile launch in April for technical exchanges on missile launch technologies. After that, North Korean engineers visited Iran and went to Natanz, the sources said. North Korea and Iran are said to have possibly exchanged technical information for nuclear development. Iran has so far denied involvement in technical cooperation with North Korea. 5) North Korea conducts nuclear test YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) May 26, 2009 Hajime Izumi, professor at Shizuoka University (specialization in international relations and Korean Peninsula domestic and foreign policies): North Korea is aiming at normalizing relations with U.S. The aim of North Korea is not at the level of drawing the U.S. into negotiations but at urging the U.S. to abandon its hostile policy toward it and promote specific negotiations, such as those that normalize bilateral diplomatic ties. North Korea issued a declaration criticizing the UN Security Council's presidential statement condemning its ballistic missile launch the day after the statement was adopted. Such an unprecedentedly quick response might be evidence of its desire to pave the way for normalizing diplomatic relations with the U.S. by 2012, which marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of chairman Kim TOKYO 00001177 005 OF 011 Il Sung, and to establish the framework for the next regime. The North still has such bargaining chips as (1) more nuclear tests; (2) an increase in plutonium production; (3) enrichment of uranium; and (4) test firing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). If North Korea succeeds in producing a miniaturized warhead, Japan will be exposed to a grave threat. Japan, the U.S., China, and other countries will take a tougher stance toward the North following its latest nuclear test. I expect that the game of patience between these countries, which take the stance of waiting until North Korea returns to the Six-Party Talks, and North Korea, which might come up with more threats, will last at least six months. Hideshi Takesada, executive director of the National Institute for Defense Studies of the Defense Ministry: Kim regime gives priority to military logic North Korea conducted a nuclear test in a short period of time after launching a missile in April. It is speculated that the North is aiming at sending a stronger appeal to the international community, taking advantage of the combined effect of nuclear testing and missile launching. Its latest missile launch showed North Korea's success in developing a technology to extend its range. This fact is more serious than whether it succeeded in launching a satellite. North Korea is suspected of hoping to impress the international community with its success in producing a downsized nuclear weapon in order to upgrade its status as a nuclear power. It is certain that North Korea's nuclear test will upset China and cause the U.S. to refuse negotiations with the North for a short period of time. North Korea's nuclear test this time despite such circumstances indicates that the nation has given priority to military logic. North Korea's judgment is that it will possess its first nuclear deterrent for self-defense if it develops a missile with a range that covers Washington, the capital of the U.S. To that end, the North wants to succeed in producing a miniaturized warhead. It is impossible to read North Korea's intentions based on the logic of repeating diplomatic bargaining in order to secure the survival of its regime. The Kim regime's stance is to give priority to military affairs and to enjoy its by-products. It final goal is to remove intervention from the U.S. and attain South-North unification with the North taking advantage. 6) U.S., China, Russia Condemn North Korea's Nuclear Test; UN Security Council Meets Today ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts) May 26, 2009 Kayo Matsushita, New York; Yusuke Murayama, Washington; Kengo Sakajiri, Beijing In light of North Korea's underground nuclear test, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will hold an emergency meeting at the UN headquarters in New York at 4:00 p.m. on May 25 (5:00 a.m. on May 26, Japan time). The key issue is whether a consensus can be reached on taking stern measures, including the imposition of additional sanctions, on North Korea. The responses of Russia, UNSC chair for May, and China, TOKYO 00001177 006 OF 011 which chairs the Six-Party Talks, are drawing attention in particular. The U.S., China, and Russia all condemned the DPRK on May 25. Commentary: Shadow Cast on Obama's Vision of "No Nuclear Arms" Hirotsugu Mochizuki On April 5, the very day on which U.S. President Barack Obama made an appeal to the world for a "world free of nuclear weapons" in the Czech capital of Prague, North Korea went ahead and launched its ballistic missile. Just 50 days later, as if challenging Obama's message that "the path to security and respect will never come through threats and illegal weapons," the DPRK conducted its second nuclear test. The main difference between this test and the first test is the advent of the Obama administration in the U.S. It is believed that North Korea's purpose is to give a jolt to the six-month old U.S. administration and draw it into direct U.S.-DPRK talks outside the Six-Party Talks framework. Just like its first nuclear test in 2006 during the previous Bush administration, this is regarded as a brinkmanship tactic using "threat" to gain the upper hand. However, this experiment may cast a dark shadow over concrete steps toward Obama's "no nuclear arms" vision. The two pillars of Obama's "no nuclear arms" plan are: (1) "vertical" disarmament between the two nuclear superpowers, the United States and Russia; and (2) "horizontal" nuclear non-proliferation through strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and safeguarding nuclear materials. With regard to (1),negotiations for a sequel to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I (START I) have resumed based on an agreement between the U.S. and Russian leaders in April. Working-level officials are also engaged in discussions in preparation for the next summit meeting in July. However, since U.S. allies under the protection of its "nuclear umbrella" are being confronted with North Korea's nuclear threat once again, the Obama administration will have less of a free hand in nuclear disarmament talks. As for (2),the main point is the United States' ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),which prohibits nuclear experiments, to enable the treaty to take effect at an early date. In this issue, North Korea's blatant nuclear tests may serve to reinforce persistent doubts about the effectiveness of the CTBT in the U.S. For now, it is believed that the Obama administration will deal with North Korea sternly through the UNSC and other venues. However, like the Bush administration, which agreed to direct talks in the end and removed the DPRK from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, it is also very likely that it may not be able to pursue a tough stance single-mindedly. Meanwhile, North Korea is certain to become even more isolated with this nuclear test. For the Kim Jong Il regime, which is facing uncertainties over the succession of power internally, there are serious risks involved in persisting with an aggressive stance. It is inevitable that both the U.S. and the DPRK will eventually have to resume efforts to find a way to resolve the situation through TOKYO 00001177 007 OF 011 "dialogue." Obama will face the dilemma of reconciling his position on a "world without nuclear weapons" and his philosophy of "willingness to engage in dialogue even with hostile countries." The diplomatic process of seeking "common ground" with North Korea will represent a major challenge in the long road to a world with no nuclear arms. 7) Japan to ask other countries for their cooperation in adopting sanctions resolution NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged slightly) May 26, 2009 Prime Minister Taro Aso placed a telephone call to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and talked with him for about 15 minutes in the wake of the nuclear test by North Korea yesterday. Aso said to Lee: "(The nuclear test) is a grave challenge to the nuclear nonproliferation regime and a threat to the peace and stability of the international community. It is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is absolutely intolerable." Lee expressed a similar view, and the two agreed to deal severely with North Korea. Aso said to reporters, "Japan and South Korea must make close contacts and deal with the situation resolutely." The prime minister also indicated that Japan will ask the UN Security Council for a new resolution. Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone held talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Vietnam's Hanoi and asked for China's cooperation in adopting a sanctions resolution by the UN Security Council, "It is indispensable for the international community to clarify its will by adopting a resolution." Nakasone also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the telephone. The two agreed as a result to aim at a fresh UNSC resolution. Clinton emphatically said, "There will be consequences in reaction to North Korea's act, and the countries concerned must pull together and adopt a powerful resolution swiftly." 8) Commentary: Worthiness of Six-Party Talks questioned TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) May 26, 2009 Yasunobu Shirouchi, international news reporter North Korea has gone ahead with its second nuclear test. This country has repeatedly taken actions that violate the agreement reached at the Six-Party Talks. With this most recent nuclear test, the talks that started in August 2003 are back to square one. North Korea had promised to "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs" in the joint statement issued at the Six-Party Talks in September 2005. The participants had finally agreed on the disablement of nuclear facilities and the declaration of existing nuclear programs after various twists and turns. However, after the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted a presidential statement condemning the DPRK's missile launches in April, this country announced its non-participation in the Six-Party Talks. In late April, it also disclosed the resumption of the reprocessing of TOKYO 00001177 008 OF 011 spent nuclear fuel rods. By conducting its second nuclear test, North Korea has made clear its intention to proceed with the development of nuclear weapons. The test has made its nuclear declaration last year even less credible, and the Six-Party Talks agreement has turned out to be an illusion. The DPRK conducted missile launches and a nuclear test in 2006, which resulted in its seizing the initiative in bilateral talks with the U.S., which the latter had been unwilling to engage in. Its recent action is a result of its success last time. North Korea has been playing tough repeatedly. The manner in which the Six-Party Talks is being conducted, including its effectiveness, is now in question. 9) U.S. asked Japan to introduce F-35 MAINICHI (Page 1) (Abridged) May 24, 2009 When Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada visited the United States on May 1, he was asked by Secretary of Defense Gates to consider introducing the F-35 fighter as the follow-on mainstay fighter for the Air Self-Defense Force, sources revealed yesterday. In their meeting at that time, Gates explained that it would be difficult for the U.S. to export the F-22, a state-of-the-art stealth fighter jet that the Defense Ministry has considered to be the most likely candidate. Gates cited the Congress-imposed embargo as a reason. It will be difficult for the ASDF to introduce the F-22 now that the United States has strongly urged Japan to buy the F-35. The F-22 uses the world's highest-level stealth technology. The U.S. Congress, concerned about the outflow of such technology, has embargoed the F-22. Furthermore, in April, Gates announced that the Pentagon was planning to produce 187 F-22s and would stop the F-22 production line afterward. Gages also said he would introduce the F-35, the newest stealth aircraft being currently co-developed with Britain and Australia, for U.S. forces. In a meeting at the White House, Gates briefed Hamada on the U.S. Congress' decision. Gates cited the F-35 and suggested Japan select it, according to the sources. Hamada said, "We would like to consider introducing aircraft that has trustworthy air defense capability." With this, Hamada indicated that the F-22 would remain on the list of candidates. However, the United States gives first consideration to military secrets. Most of the Defense Ministry deems it difficult to introduce the F-22, with one of them saying, "There's no doubt that it will be difficult to introduce the F-22." 10) Gov't, ruling coalition mull easing Japan's arms embargo policy NIKKEI (Page 1) (Abridged) May 24, 2009 The government and ruling parties will consider easing Japan's self-imposed three principles on arms exports, sources said yesterday. The National Defense Program Guidelines, which is expected to be revised late this year, will incorporate developing and producing weapons with foreign countries and lifting the ban on exports to co-developers. This is aimed at paving the way for Japan TOKYO 00001177 009 OF 011 to participate in the joint development and production of mainstay equipment, such as the next-generation fighter jet being co-developed by the United States and its European partners, and is also aimed at holding down procurement costs and revitalizing the domestic defense industry. In 1967, then Prime Minister Sato announced the three principles of not exporting weapons to communist nations, countries against which the United Nations has taken sanctions, and conflict-ridden countries. In 1976, then Prime Minister Takeo Miki switched to a de facto "total ban on arms exports." Japan's embargo still continues, with the exception of such cases as its joint development of missile defense systems with the United States. The government and ruling parties will retract the "total ban on arms exports." Communist nations will be off the list of countries subject to the export ban. Instead, the list will include countries backing terrorists, countries abusing human rights, and countries failing to control exports and imports. The government will actually judge whether or not to export weapons, based on such factors as the possibility of transfer to other countries and the potential impact on regional security. The government will also review the scope of its export ban. Those that are currently under the export ban include production equipment, military trucks, and protective suits and gas masks "as weapons and the like." The government will remove them from the list, judging whether they have attack capabilities. 11) Greenhouse gas emissions cut: Mid-term goal with focus on 7 PERCENT cut compared with 1990 level MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full) May 25, 2009 The government on May 24 held a meeting of the Round Table on the Global Warming Issue, chaired by advisor to Toyota Motors Hiroshi Okuda, at the Kantei to discuss Japan's goal for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved by 2020 (mid-term goal). Environmental conservation groups, which are calling for a substantial cut, and business circles, which want to see a lenient goal, are squabbling over the six proposals made thus far. In polls, many respondents supported an intermediate goal of a 7 PERCENT cut, compared with the 1990 level, or a 14 PERCENT cut from the 2005 level. As such, the government is making adjustments based on this proposal. Prime Minister Taro Aso said, "The government will release a mid-term goal as early as the beginning of June." At the meeting, it was reported that in a poll targeting 4,000 persons carried out between May 7 and 17, 45.4 PERCENT , the biggest group, chose a 7 PERCENT cut, followed by 15.3 PERCENT in favor of a 4 PERCENT increase in comparison with the 1990 level (or a 4 PERCENT cut from the 2005 level) as supported by the Japan Business Federation, and 4.9 PERCENT in favor of a 25 PERCENT reduction from the 1990 level (or a 30 PERCENT cut from the 2005 level) as sought by environmental organizations. Concerning matters that should be given priority in setting a mid-term goal, 36.3 PERCENT chose "feasibility," followed by "impartiality in goals set by between Japan and other countries" cited by 29 PERCENT of respondents and "contribution to efforts to prevent damage caused by global warming" by 25.9 PERCENT . TOKYO 00001177 010 OF 011 Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito and Economic, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai will confer on the matter to look into how much the margin of the emissions cut can be increased, focusing on the 7 PERCENT cut proposal. 12) DPJ-backed candidate wins Saitama mayoral election NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts) May 25, 2009 The candidate backed by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won the Saitama mayoral election yesterday, beating five rivals including the incumbent backed by the ruling camp. This election was the first major local election after Yukio Hatoyama assumed the main opposition party's presidency. The victory has given the party's new leadership a boost toward the next House of Representatives election. Eyeing a number of local elections to be held until this summer, the ruling coalition has been extremely concerned. The outcomes of such local elections might affect the timetable for the next general election. Results of local elections might affect Lower House election DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan said in an interview with the Nikkei last night: "Expectations of the DPJ have returned after the new Hatoyama leadership was launched." Election Strategy Committee Chairman Hirotaka Akamatsu also confidently said: "With the weight lifted from us, we can now move forward." Following the indictment of former party president Ichiro Ozawa's secretary for huge political donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co., DPJ-backed candidates were defeated in the Chiba and Akita gubernatorial elections. The party members feel that the effects of Ozawa's resignation have already surfaced. Hayato Shimizu, who won the election, was backed by just the DPJ's Saitama prefectural chapter, but the new leadership strongly supported him, as seen in Hatoyama's stumping tour for him just before the election date. In the previous Lower House election, the DPJ suffered losses in all the single seat constituencies. Bearing this bitter experience in mind, the main opposition party has taken the victory in the Saitama mayoral election as a favorable indication of the restoration of its popularity in cities that are home to many unaffiliated voters. Recent major local elections Chiba gubernatorial election (Mar. 29) X Akita gubernatorial election (April 12) X Nagoya mayoral election (April 26) O Saitama mayoral election (May 24) O O = victory of the DPJ- backed candidate X = defeat of the DPJ-backed candidate Future major local elections Chiba mayoral election (June 14) The LDP and Rengo endorse the former vice mayor, while the DPJ endorses an assembly member. Shizuoka gubernatorial election (July 5) The LDP has decided to endorse its Upper House member. The DPJ has made no decision. Hyogo gubernatorial election (July5) Prefectural assembly members of TOKYO 00001177 011 OF 011 the LDP, the DPJ, and other political parties have decided to support the incumbent. Tokyo gubernatorial election (July 12) The LDP and the New Komeito aim to maintain the majority. Sendai mayoral election (July 26) The focus is likely to be on the incumbent's municipal administration. 13) BSE preventive measures: OIE to recognize safety of Japanese beef; Government considering easing inspection guidelines TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full) May 25, 2009 The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),which is in charge of formulating guidelines for monitoring BSE, will likely recognize Japan as a country with a controlled risk of BSE at its opening plenary meeting on May 24, giving high marks to the safety of Japan's beef production. Once Japan receives the OIE certification, the government will start efforts to expand exports of domestic beef. It will also likely give full consideration to easing cattle subject to BSE inspection, judging that Japan's system of preventing BSE from occurring among young cows, including the introduction of a feed rule, has been recognized. Cattle aged 21 months or older are currently subject to such an inspection. Revisions to Japan's BSE inspection guidelines could spur the U.S. to further strengthen its pressure on Japan to further ease the guidelines, including the abolition of import restrictions. Since public distrust in food safety still remains deep-rooted, the government will likely search for a specific time frame for easing the guidelines in a cautious manner. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF),the OIE categorizes BSE status of beef exporting countries, based on applications made by various countries. Japan made such an application in December 2008. The OIE assesses BSE status of beef exporting countries into three categories - "negligible risk of BSE" applicable to countries where no BSE cases have been confirmed, "controlled risk of BSE" for countries that have an appropriate BSE control system, such as the removal of specified risk materials (SRM),and undetermined risk of BSE. At present, 10 countries are recognized as a country with negligible risk of BSE and 31 countries, including the U.S., as a country with controlled risk of BSE. Many countries recognized as a county with controlled risk of BSE subject cattle aged 30 months or older to SE inspection. Japan in 2001 for the first time confirmed 36 BSE infection cases. However, with measures, such as a ban on meat-and-bone meal that uses SRMs, such as brains and spinal cords, producing effect, the number of BSE infection cases dropped to 3 in 2007 and one in 2008 and 2009. The OIE has decided to give the risk-controlled classification to Japan, giving high marks to its efforts. However, among about 20 nations that placed a ban on beef imports from Japan, only five countries, including Singapore, have resumed imports. ZUMWALT