DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 05/26/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 001184 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 05/26/09 INDEX: INDEX: (1) North Korea presses U.S. for talks; Concerns over Kim Jong Il's health condition evident; Eager to establish itself as nuclear power (Asahi) (2) North Korea aims to shake and bring U.S. in negotiations with second nuclear test (Mainichi) (3) Lower House to adopt resolution condemning North Korea today (Mainichi) (4) UNSC agrees to new resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear test: Japanese, American leaders in telephone discussion agree: "Need strong resolution, swiftly" (Mainichi) (5) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos: Government perplexed by appareyuqLQQtic solution needed for Futenma: Nakaima (Ryukyu Shimpo) (8) NHK owns military land (Mainichi) (9) Current Diet session to pass Northern Territories Law, designating the islands as "integral part of Japanese territory" (Tokyo Shimbun) (10) Pacific Islands Forum kicks off (Nikkei) (11) Editorial: "IWC stalls: Gap is Wide But There is Still Hope"(Tokyo Shimbun) (12) TOP HEADLINES (13) EDITORIALS (14) Prime Minister's schedule, May 25 (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) North Korea presses U.S. for talks; Concerns over Kim Jong Il's health condition evident; Eager to establish itself as nuclear power ASAHI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) May 26, 2009 Tetsuya Hakoda, Seoul The second nuclear test conducted by North Korea on May 25 stunned the officials in charge of countries concerned. Although there is apparent concern over the health of its supreme leader, Pyongyang does not provide the slightest indication of softening its hard-line stance. It will apparently take time for North Korea to miniaturize its nuclear weapons, but the nuclear threat nonetheless has grown stronger. TOKYO 00001184 002 OF 013 In response to a flood of media inquiries eager to confirm the North's nuclear test, a high-ranking South Korean official repeatedly said yesterday morning that the Presidential Office was analyzing information. The turmoil ended with the Korean Central News Agency's proud announcement some 20 minutes later that the country had successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test. The North Korean Foreign Ministry hinted on April 29 at another nuclear test, but the country had just launched a ballistic missile in early April. The official in charge at the South Korean Presidential Office said: "Many countries must have expected (another nuclear test),but I don't think anyone expected it so soon. I think North Korea has decided to stop using a nuclear test as a trump card in dealing with the United States. North Korea now is trying to press the United States to determine how it is going to deal with it as a nuclear power." It is certain that the ultimate aim of North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs is the United States. Although President Barack Obama has replaced George W. Bush, who had once labeled North Korea a part of an "axis of evil," the current U.S. administration has yet to set a specific policy toward North Korea. Pyongyang continues to send a message to Washington that if it underestimates North Korea, things could go terribly wrong. In order for the message to carry weight, the sender must be a nuclear power rather than a minor power in East Asia. The governments of such countries as Japan, the United States and South Korea do not regard North Korea as a nuclear power. Sogang University Professor Kim Young Soo takes this view: "Becoming a nuclear power is what the North wants most and what the United States hates most. The nuclear test (on May 25) refleQk[|est. Behind North Korea's eagerness to enter into bilateral talks with the United States lies its frustration with an unstable domestic situation. A South Korean government source chiefly ascribes that to concerns over the health of Kim Jong Il, who is chairman of the National Defense Commission and general secretary of the Workers Party of Korea. Lee Bong Jo, who directly met with Kim Jong Il when he was serving as unification deputy minister under the former Roh Moo Hyun administration, also noted: "The North Korean leadership is obsessed with the health of the general secretary. There are no prospects for negotiations with the United States, while the North is aiming to turn itself into a prosperous and powerful socialist country in three years' time. The North Korean leadership is extremely irritated with such a fact." Establishing itself as a prosperous and powerful socialist country by 2012, the 100the anniversary of the birthday of late President Kim Il Sung, is the North's national goal. The country cannot get loans from international organizations unless its relationship with the United States is improved. Turning North Korea into a prosperous and powerful country is synonymous with TOKYO 00001184 003 OF 013 improving its ties with the United States, according to Lee. Information on and speculation in North Korea about who would succeed Kim Jong Il are the flip side of the leadership's concerns over the health of the supreme leader. The South Korean government thinks the North will continue hardening its stance unless there are prospects that it can conduct talks with the United States in its favor. "In the future, North Korea might launch intercontinental ballistic missiles to raise tensions," a senior South Korean National Defense Ministry official said before the national defense affairs committee that met yesterday. Rudimentary success, miniaturizing nuclear weapons still many years away Yoshihiro Makino in Seoul, senior writer Kunikazu Tanida, and Tatsuyuki Kobori Defining the May 25 nuclear test a success, North Korea explained that it helped further increase the power of nuclear weapons. From the scales of seismic waves observed in Japan, South Korea and other countries, many observers think North Korea succeeded in a basic plutonium-based nuclear test. According to the South Korean National Defense Ministry and other sources, the tremor registered 4.4 on the Richter scale. Lee Chun Kun of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology said: "A reading between 4.5 and 4.7 is regarded as a success internationally. The yield of the latest test was smaller than 20 kilotons (that was used on Nagasaki),but it still could be called a success." The South Korean government concluded that the nuclear test conducted by the North in 2006 did not generate insufficient explosion. The seismic wave registered in Japan yesterday was larger than the one in 2006. Experts believe that the performance of the nuclear weapons used on May 25 has increased than the ones used before. Tokyo Institute of Technology Associate Professor Tetsuo Sawada commented: "It is undeniable that the North has developed nuclear bombs with greater yields." He also thinks that the technology of implosion has also increased. At the same time, many believe that the North has yet to succeed in developing nuclear weapons small enough to fit onto missiles. The mid-range Rodong missile, which generally has all of Japan in its range, and the improved-version of the Taepodong-2 the North launched on April 5 are believed to be able to carry about 800 kilos and 1 ton of nuclear weapons, respectively. The atomic bomb used on Nagasaki weighed nearly 5 tons. The weight of the nuclear weapons used on May 25 is unclear, but many observers in South Korea think it takes time to miniaturize nuclear weapons. According to North Korea's nuclear programs declared over the Six-Party Talks in June 2008, the country used about 26 kg of plutonium in producing nuclear weapons. In yesterday's test, part of TOKYO 00001184 004 OF 013 theme was believed to be used. The South Korean National Defense Ministry disclosed the analysis yesterday that the North might possess six to seven nuclear weapons. In addition, the North has about 14,800 unused fuel rods. If they are burned off in the 5,000 kilowatt nuclear reactor, 10 - 15 kg of weapons-grade plutonium is believed to be produced. On April 29, the North underlined the need to construct light-water reactors. The North intends to advance the uranium-enrichment technology on the pretext of building the light-water reactors, according to a South Korean government source. Light-water reactors use low-enriched uranium, but weapons-grade enriched uranium can be produced if the enrichment is repeated. The North has already obtained 24 samples centrifuges and other devices that are necessary for enriching uranium. The country has also reportedly imported from Russia high-strength aluminum pipes capable of manufacturing some 2,600 centrifuges. (2) North Korea aims to shake and bring U.S. in negotiations with second nuclear test MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) May 26, 2009 Many observers conclude that North Korea's nuclear test on May 25th ended successfully, based on analysis of earthquake waves and other data. The international community, including Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, has condemned North Korea, but the North is likely to make tougher claims, on the strength of its status as "a nuclear power." Meanwhile, the international community remains unable to come up with effective measures against North Korea, which has escalated its brinkmanship diplomacy. The U.S. administration of President Barack Obama has yet to present any clear-cut strategy toward North Korea. Attention is being focused on what step the Obama administration would take next. North Korea aiming for direct talks with U.S. Regarding North Korea's second underground nuclear test, a person close to its regime said: "The Democratic People's Public of Korea, unable to wait any longer, pitched a ball. Future development depends on how the U.S. will throw it back." Two months have already passed since North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile, which it claimed to be a satellite. During this period, Pyongyang pushed ahead with brinkmanship by referring to these plans to: (1) start the process of restoring its main reactor in Yongbyon; (2) start the reprocessing of used fuel rods; and (3) nuclear testing and test firing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). But the international community, including the U.S., made no quick response. The U.S. Obama administration had earmarked 95 million dollars, or approximately 9 billion yen, as funds for energy aid to North Korea in its supplementary budget bill for fiscal 2009 (from October 2008 through September 2009). But the U.S., citing North Korea's tough stance as the main reason, the U.S. decided to put off the aid plan. According to a source related to the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea took the policy decision by the U.S. administration as part of its hostile policy toward it and promptly stiffened its attitude. While building up a feeling of tension during the period between the TOKYO 00001184 005 OF 013 missile firing in April and the nuclear test in May, North Korea must have been bearing in mind these two processes: (1) from firing the long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-1 in 1998 through the issuance of a U.S.-North Korea joint communiqu in 2000; and (2) from the freeze of North Korean assets at the Banco Delta Asia, a bank in Macao, in 2005 through missile launch and nuclear tests in ¶2006. That is because North Korea believes, as the said source remarked: "The North succeeded in turning around the tables by carrying through what the international community opposed." In the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, the North has been at loggerheads with Japan, the U.S., and South Korea over methods for verifying its nuclear information. Its relations particularly with Japan and South Korea have deteriorated so seriously that no prospects are in sight for their relations to be restored. In addition, relations between North Korea and China, the chair of the six-party talks, have become strained over the North's April missile launch. Its relations with Russia have also been in a gloomy atmosphere, as seen in no arrangement made for a meeting between Kim Jong Il and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he visited Pyongyang last month. North Korea, though, bullishly anticipates that the U.S., with a growing sense of alarm, would get around the negotiating table and sign an agreement with vague contents. The scenario continues that the U.S. would allow the North to possess nuclear weapons and conclude a peace treaty and establish diplomatic relations with North Korea on an equal footing. The said source also said: "The six-party talks have already become just a framework to approve the items agreed on between the U.S. and North Korea. Once North Korea resumes talks with the U.S., its relations with the rest members of the six-party talks will automatically improve." As shown by this remark, North Korea is looking only at the U.S. (3) Lower House to adopt resolution condemning North Korea today MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full) May 26, 2009 The House of Representatives Steering Committee in its directors' meeting yesterday decided to adopt in its plenary session today a resolution condemning North Korea's second nuclear test. When the North launched a missile in April, the Japanese Communist Party opposed adopting a resolution of protest, while the Social Democratic Party abstained from voting. This time, though, the committee will call for these two opposition parties' cooperation in a drive to adopt the resolution unanimously. The House of Councillor also eyes a similar resolution. (4) UNSC agrees to new resolution denouncing North Korea for nuclear test: Japanese, American leaders in telephone discussion agree: "Need strong resolution, swiftly" MAINICHI (Page 1) (Excerpt) Eve., May 26, 2009 With the news that North Korea had carried out an underground nuclear test, Prime Minister Taro Aso this morning held a 15-minute conversation by phone with President Obama. The two leaders agreed on the need for swiftly adopting a UN Security Council resolution TOKYO 00001184 006 OF 013 with strong contents. They confirmed the importance of cooperating closely with China and Russia, which have both taken the stance of leaning toward North Korea. The telephone discussion occurred at the request of the Japanese side. Prime Minister Aso led off by making such observations as, "Something that threatens the peace and stability of the international community absolutely cannot be tolerated." The President responded: "As members of the Six-Party Talks, we must see a strong resolution adopted swiftly." The Prime Minister said, "The carrying out of the test is regrettable, coming at a time when there is a heightening mood toward arms reduction and nuclear non-proliferation thanks to President Obama." The President responded, "The carrying out of the test is a serious threat." (5) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos: Government perplexed by apparent downgrading of position, disappointed with dropping of "heavyweight" Nye TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2009 Many government and ruling party officials are perplexed by the appointment of John Roos, a law firm C.E.O. as the U.S. Obama administration's new ambassador to Japan because "he is a total unknown." Unknown diplomatic ability Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye, an expert on Japanese affairs, had been tipped to become the next ambassador to Japan. Roos provided enormous amounts of campaign funds to Obama in the U.S. presidential election last year. His relationship to President Obama is closer than Nye's. Such is the reason behind the appointment of Roos. However, compared to Nye, who has served in senior positions in the departments of State and Defense and who is a well-known international affairs scholar, the appointment of Roos, who has no diplomatic experience, appears to be "a downgrading." It can be argued that the Roos appointment is similar to that of previous ambassador Thomas Schieffer, whose only qualification was his close relationship with President George Bush, although Schieffer had served as ambassador to Australia before coming to Japan. The Japanese government has refrained from commenting because Washington has yet to make an official announcement. Officials believe that the dropping of Nye, a heavyweight, means that Japan is being treated lightly. A senior official at the Foreign Ministry pointed out: "An individual close to the president has been chosen because of the importance given to Japan. He will be able to call the President anytime and can be expected to serve as an intermediary." While there are people who welcome Roos's appointment, strong doubts have been voiced about the Obama administration's appointment of the ambassador to Japan as a "reward" for his services during the presidential election. One senior government official said: "He is not someone who has had direct contact with Japan. His appointment by the President came as a surprise." TOKYO 00001184 007 OF 013 Liberal Democratic Party officials also have mixed feelings about Roos. Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the party's Research Commission on Foreign Affairs, says: "Considering the unstable situation in Northeast Asia, the appointment of Nye would have been most reassuring." (6) "Taro's International Correspondence": Difference between Japan and China in appointment of U.S. ambassador TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) Evening, May 23, 2009 Taro Kimura, freelance journalist It has been reported that U.S. President Barack Obama intends to appoint John Roos, a lawyer, as ambassador to Japan. Appointments of a close friend and a political enemy Roos is a lawyer who has been involved with mergers and acquisitions of IT companies in Silicon Valley. He apparently does not have particularly close ties with Japan, but was an enthusiastic supporter of President Obama during his campaign, being "one of the earliest supporters and biggest fund raisers of the Obama camp" (according to The New York Times). In that sense, this will be the second appointment in a row based on personal relations with the president, after former president George Bush appointed his close friend Thomas Schieffer as ambassador to Japan. With regard to the ambassador to Japan, it was reported that the Department of State had pushed for Joseph Nye, an expert on Japan who served as assistant secretary of defense during the Clinton administration, and that an unofficial decision had been made. However, it appears this was overruled by the White House. Actually, the new ambassador to China had also been announced before Roos' appointment became known. In this case, an individual who not only does not have personal relations with the President, but can also be classified as a "political enemy" was appointed. The obvious difference in these two appointments is noteworthy. Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has been named the ambassador to China. Not only is he a Republican, he has also served as a close aide to Republican presidents since Ronald Reagan and was ambassador to Singapore during the administration of Bush Senior. Huntsman also served as the chairman of the national committee for the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain, Obama's rival, in last year's presidential election. He is probably politically farthest from Obama. It is said that the reason Huntsman was appointed is because he is fluent in Chinese and has credibility in the Chinese government. He is a Mormon and learned Chinese when engaged in missionary work in Taiwan in his 20s. When he was ambassador to Singapore, he took advantage of his linguistic skills to build close relations with Chinese diplomats and was highly regarded by them. On a personal note, he has one adopted daughter each from China and India among his five children. TOKYO 00001184 008 OF 013 It is said that he had been on the short list of Bush Junior's candidates for ambassador to China. Therefore, President Obama appears to have taken an idea from his predecessor. Huntsman's appointment symbolizes the importance the Obama administration attaches to restoring trust between the U.S. and China in its diplomacy toward the PRC. On the other hand, what does the appointment of someone unrelated to Japan as ambassador to Tokyo symbolize? Reflection of degree of friendliness Looking at U.S. ambassadorial appointments, those made based on personal relations with the president seem to apply to friendly countries where there are no outstanding diplomatic issues, such as in the case of the appointment of Joseph Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy, as ambassador to Britain by President Franklin Roosevelt as a reward for his substantial political donations. In that sense, one can say that the appointment of Roos as ambassador to Japan is a result of the Obama administration's assessment that there are "no outstanding problems" in Japan-U.S. relations at present. (7) Realistic solution needed for Futenma: Nakaima RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Abridged) May 23, 2009 Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, meeting the press yesterday, indicated a skeptical view of Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President Yukio Hatoyama's statement in which he indicated that the DPJ would keep upholding its policy of seeking to relocate the U.S. military's Futenma airfield elsewhere outside Okinawa Prefecture after taking the reins of government. Nakaima said: "I wonder if that policy can be translated into reality, or I wonder if it (Futenma relocation) will just stop during that time. I think it would be better for him to work on this issue in a realistic way without wavering to the right or left." Meanwhile, Nakaima also came up with his view, saying: "I cannot predict how this issue will be settled when there is a government that has a different view of the (U.S. force) realignment." (8) NHK owns military land MAINICHI (Page 8) (Full) Eve., May 25, 2009 NHK, short for Nihon Hoso Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), owns a land lot on the premises of the Akasaka Press Center, a U.S. military base located in Tokyo's downtown area of Roppongi, and has rented the land to the government for more than 40 years. NHK has reduced the size of land in its possession by partially selling that landed property to the government every fiscal year. However, NHK, which is a news organization, is an owner of military land. Such an unusual situation will continue for several more years. The base used to be where a garrison of the now-defunct Japanese military was located. The land was requisitioned by the Allied TOKYO 00001184 009 OF 013 Forces in September 1945 and has been in U.S. Forces Japan's use. In 1960 and 1962, with the Tokyo Olympics ahead, the government sold a total of about 30,000 square meters to NHK for its TV center. However, the U.S. military continued to use that land. In 1963, NHK swapped most of the land with state-owned land in Yoyogi, where its present broadcasting center is located. The remaining land of about 8,200 square meters has been rented to the government since fiscal ¶1966. In fiscal 1975, the government began buying the land back at NHK's request. The government has so far bought up about 7,600 square meters for approximately 6.9 billion yen in total. The base currently covers a total land area of about 31,600 square meters. Excluding state-owned land, a land lot of about 600 square meters is still in the passion of NHK. The government says it has acquisitioned land with its annual budget. The base is in a prime location of Tokyo's downtown area near Roppongi Hills. It houses a heliport, a billet for officers, and a U.S. military newspaper's office. Minato Ward, which hosts the base, and Tokyo have consistently asked the government to return the base site due to such problems as the risk of a helicopter's crash and noise. NHK's public relations bureau explained: "This matter concerns the land that we own. It has nothing to do with the neutrality of a news organization. The land is unnecessary for NHK, so we have been strongly asking the government to buy up the land." USFJ's public affairs office said, "We're not in a position to comment." Yasushi Kawasaki, formerly an NHK political reporter and currently a commentator, said: "Aside from what was in the past, the public broadcaster is involved in the U.S. military's use of land. Such a situation should be dissolved as soon as possible." (9) Current Diet session to pass Northern Territories Law, designating the islands as "integral part of Japanese territory" TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2009 The ruling parties gave its approval on May 22 to a bill to amend the law on special measures to activate the movement for the return of the Northern Territories, which designates the Northern Islands as "an integral part of Japanese territory." The opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party (JCP),are also amenable to passing the bill, so it is now expected to be enacted during the current Diet session. The purpose of the bill is to give the Northern Islands legal status as Japanese territory and to heighten the people's interest in the repatriation movement. The ruling parties want to use this to supply a tailwind for the Japan-Russia summit in July, where the Northern Territories issue will be a key issue, and plan to submit the bill next week. The revised bill provides for the promotion of no-visa exchange of visits between Japanese citizens and residents of the four Northern Islands. The rearing of successors in light of the aging of the original residents, promotion of tourism in Nemuro City, which serves as the center of the campaign for the islands' return, and other matters are also written into the law. The draft was drawn up by the supra-partisan "Parliamentary Union TOKYO 00001184 010 OF 013 for the Return of the Northern Territories and the Promotion of Exchanges with the Four Islands" and was approved by the policy officers of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on May 22. A senior Democratic Party of Japan Policy Research Committee official stressed that "there is no problem with the contents." The JCP advocates the return of all the Kurile islands, including the four northern islands. It refuses to co-sponsor the bill but is expected to vote for the amendment. (10) Pacific Islands Forum kicks off NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 23, 2009 The Japan and the Pacific Islands Forum (Pacific Island Leaders Meeting - PALM),participated in by 16 Pacific island countries, started on May 22 in the village of Shimukappu, Hokkaido. The meeting is part of Japan's diplomatic strategy to strengthen relations with pro-Japanese island nations. Prime Minister Taro Aso is expected to announce Japan's plan to set up a Pacific Environment Community for financial assistance totaling 50 billion yen over three years. The plan is also aimed to counter China's aid diplomacy. The prime minister at the outset of the meeting noted, "I would like to send a powerful message to the world, while affirming ties with island nations in the Pacific." He was so enthusiastic that he kept his minute-cutting schedule for bilateral summits with six leaders. Japan has hosted PALM every three years, staring in 1997. Measures to deal with the climate change, improving the lives of people in the region and strengthening personnel exchanges are on the table of the current fifth round of the Meeting. Japan will propose the transfers of technologies for seawater desalination and solar energy generation. Behind generous aid proposals is a diplomatic battle involving China and Taiwan. Even tiny island countries have one vote at the UN like big powers. If Japan gets them on its side, it would be able to form public opinion advantageous to it. In 2005, Japan along with Germany, etc., submitted a framework resolution in a bid to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Seven Pacific island nations were among the 29 co-submitters. Countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan all supported Japan, while countries like Tonga that have such ties with China did not. This indicates a pattern of Japan having managed to secure support from seven countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which is at odds with China. China's offensive has continued. In 2006, it held a Chinese version of island summit, bringing together six nations. Premier Wen Jiabao visited Fiji and pledged financial cooperation totaling roughly 42 billion yen. China will hold the second round of the meeting as early as this fall. Taiwan also held meetings with six island nations in 2006 and 2007. A senior Foreign Ministry official said, "The battle over Pacific island nations is becoming fiercer year by year." The prime minister's diplomatic principle is the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity. He on the 21st announced a plan to host a Japan-Mekong summit before year's end, inviting leaders of countries in the basin TOKYO 00001184 011 OF 013 of the Mekong River bordering China. What is common between PALM and the Japan-Mekong summit is that they are both intended to lay siege to China and check it. (11) Editorial: "IWC stalls: Gap is Wide But There is Still Hope" TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full) May 24, 2009 The discussion at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to move toward normalization has again ended by a decision to defer reaching a conclusion. While the gap between the pro- and anti-whaling states is still wide, an atmosphere conducive to dialogue has emerged. It is important that Japan should continue its efforts to win understanding for research whaling. It is probably difficult to untie the knots once the pieces of strings get tangled. The Small Working Group (SWG) had attempted to normalize the dysfunctional IWC, but the disappointment (with its failure) has been proportionate to the amount of expectations placed on the group. The plan was for the SWG to compile a "draft agreement" by mid-May and submit this to the next annual convention to be held on the island of Madeira in Portugal from June 22. With the conclusion being deferred for a year, the upcoming convention is not expected to discuss normalization vigorously. The IWC is supposed to be an organization for the proper management of whale resources. It decided on a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982 and went on to implement this in 1986. Japan also discontinued whaling but started research whaling of minke whales and other species in the Antarctic Sea. Since then, conflict between pro- and anti-whaling states has continued to intensify. The IWC was only able to form the SWG for the organization's normalization last year. A government source reacted to this latest development calmly: "I do not expect nations that have been in dispute for over 20 years to reconcile in a short time." Nevertheless, dialogue between the two camps has proceeded slowly but surely. Japan proposed to scale down its research whaling at the SWG. This was an about-face from its previous policy of increasing the catch steadily. The anti-whaling states reportedly also showed a certain extent of understanding to the proposal to cut back on the catch. However, the U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other anti-whaling nations refused to back down from their position that Japan's research whaling is a disguised form of commercial whaling conducted in the name of scientific research. They insisted on a total ban on research whaling. The whale population in the Antarctic Sea has been recovering steadily, except for species such as fin whales. The continuous use of whale resources should be a top item on the agenda, considering the future food problem in the developing countries, for instance. In the North Atlantic Ocean, mass consumption of sauries and sardines by whales has become a problem. This was discovered through research whaling. TOKYO 00001184 012 OF 013 Meanwhile, fishery industry sources say that fishery production emits only one-tenth of the CO2 emitted by the livestock industry in the process of increasing the output of animal protein. This fact cannot be overlooked from the viewpoint of the earth's environment. Japan should actively take advantage of such "common language of the world" and work toward a rapprochement with the anti-whaling states. (12) TOP HEADLINES Asahi & Yomiuri: U.S., China, Russia condemn North Korea's nuclear test Mainichi, Sankei & Tokyo Shimbun: UN Security Council to discuss North Korea's nuclear test; China, Russia also issue denunciation Nikkei: President Obama in speech reveals plan to apply pressure on North Korea in cooperation with Japan, South Korea, China and Russia Akahata: JCP harshly condemns North Korea's nuclear test (13) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) North Korea's nuclear test: U.S., China urged to jointly try to stop reckless moves Mainichi: (1) UN Security Council expected to take resolute measures against North Korea for second nuclear test Yomiuri: (1) Strictly respond to North Korea's repeated reckless act Nikkei: (1) UNSC should slap severe sanctions on North Korea for nuclear test (2) Japan needs to join hands with Pacific island countries to protect environment Sankei: (1) Determined sanctions necessary against North Korea for its second nuclear test Tokyo Shimbun: (1) North Korea is recklessly challenging international community Akahata: (1) North's reckless act challenging public calls for nuclear abolition (14) Prime Minister's schedule, May 25 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) May 26, 2009 07:34 Took a walk around his official residence. 10:28 Met LDP Election Strategy Council Deputy Chairman Suga at the TOKYO 00001184 013 OF 013 Kantei. 11:06 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda. 12:23 Attended a service held at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Sanbancho. 13:00 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura at the Kantei. 13:53 Met Kawamura. 14:21 Met Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Uruma, followed by Administrative Reform Minister Amari and Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters Secretary General Fukui. 15:04 Met Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka, Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management Ito, joined by Kawamura. 15:40 Met Deputy Secretary General Kojima. 16:00 Place a call to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak. 17:02 Attended an LDP executive meeting in the Diet building. 17:39 Attended a Security of Japan meeting at the Kantei. Afterward met METI Minister Nikai. 18:05 Attended a meeting on a monthly economic report. 19:30 Attended a support association meeting held at Hotel Seiyo Ginza. 21:05 Returned to his official residence. ZUMWALT