JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 06/08/09

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SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 06/08/09

Index:
TODAY'S FEATURES

North Korea problem:
1) Secretary Clinton in ABC interview indicates U.S. considering
possible reinstatement of North Korea on list of states sponsoring
terrorism (Asahi)
2) U.S. switches to pressure tactics to deal with North Korea,
including using terror list as negotiating card (Nikkei)
3) Government welcomes agreement on contents of UNSC resolution
denouncing North Korea for its nuclear testing (Yomiuri)
4) But resolution draft does not refer to the abduction issue
(Nikkei)
5) Prime Minister Aso telephones UN Secretary General Ban to stress
need for solidarity of the UN Security Council in dealing with North
Korean issues (Nikkei)
6) Talks between the foreign ministers of Japan, China diverge on
the question of how hard-lined the UN resolution on North Korea's
nuclear test should be (Tokyo Shimbun)
7) In Seoul, Democratic Party of Japan President Hatoyama meets
President Lee, stresses need for close links among U.S., Japan, ROK
on North Korea problem (Nikkei)
8) Hatoyama in traveling to South Korea trying to show diplomatic
credentials in preparation for Lower House election (Nikkei)

Defense and security affairs:
9) Marine General's comments to Congress about altering the Futenma
relocation play creates stir (Mainichi)
10) Japanese government in official statement denies any change
possible in agreement to relocate Futenma Air Station (Nikkei)
11) DPJ's Okada wants to have talks with U.S. government to
drastically revise the agreement to realign U.S. forces in Japan
(Asahi)
12) Japan, ROK to share information on Somalian pirates (Tokyo
Shimbun)
13) Military will share piracy information with civilians (Yomiuri)

14) Defense Ministry decides to postpone putting funding in the next
budget for the next generation fighter (Yomiuri)

Opinion polls:
15) Yomiuri poll: Aso Cabinet support and non-support rates stay
flat at 29.5% and 61%, respectively; Voters favor Hatoyama over Aso
44% to 33% (Yomiuri)
16) Tokyo Shimbun poll on the July Tokyo Assembly election finds DPJ
favored over LDP 32% to 20% (Tokyo Shimbun)

17) Japan, China to strengthen cooperation in contentious are of
intellectual property rights (Nikkei)

18) Prime Minister Aso to announce greenhouse-gas reduction target
of 7% (Asahi)

Articles:

NORTH KOREA PROBLEM:

1) U.S. Secretary of State mentions studying re-listing DPRK as
state sponsor of terrorism

ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
June 8, 2009

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Yusuke Murayama, Washington

During an interview on ABC TV in the U.S. on June 7, Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton disclosed that the U.S. has begun studying the
re-inclusion of North Korea, which has conducted its second nuclear
test, in the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The DPRK was
removed from the list by the former Bush administration last October
as a means to push forward the denuclearization process through the
Six-Party Talks.

Clinton emphasized the change in the situation in the interview. She
said: "North Korea's action is obstructing the (original) purpose of
delisting." She said that, "We have begun a study" on re-listing
"and would like to investigate recent evidence of North Korea's
support for international terrorism." However, with regard to proof
of such activities, she said: "I do not have the answer at this
point."

Clinton also commented on the sanction resolution against North
Korea which is currently in a critical stage of debate at the UN
Security Council. She said, "I think we will be able to impose
additional sanctions, such as an arms embargo, with the full support
of China and Russia," and stressed, "If we do not take significant
and effective action now, the situation will spur the arms race in
Northeast Asia." Regarding the recent prosecution of the two
detained female American reporters by North Korea, Clinton asserted
that: "There is no advantage for them or basis for the trial. We
hope they finish the trial at an early date and return them home."
She indicated there is no intention to make a political deal with
the DPRK.

There is also growing criticism of North Korea in the United States.
Eight opposition Republican members of Congress recently sent a
letter to Clinton demanding the re-listing of the DRPK as a "state
sponsor of terrorism." Since the legal procedures for re-listing
will require evidence of supporting terrorism, it is uncertain
whether this can be done immediately. However, Clinton's remarks are
seen as a strong warning to North Korea, which has been escalating
its provocative behavior.

2) U.S. shifting to "pressure" by considering re-listing DPRK as
terror sponsor for use as negotiating card

NIKKEI (page 7) (Full)
June 8, 2009

Hiroshi Maruya, Washington

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement on considering
re-listing North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism is an
indication that the Obama administration is shifting toward
"pressure" in its policy of "dialogue and pressure." This is because
of the United States' concern that if North Korea, which has taken
provocative actions repeatedly by conducting another nuclear test
and firing missiles, is not dealt with, this may not only undermine
the effectiveness of the President Barack Obama's vision for a
"world without nuclear weapons," but may also trigger an arms race
in Asia.

The U.S. government is also moving toward stricter financial
sanctions. Re-listing North Korea as a terrorism sponsor will be

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part of its own policies to reinforce sanctions. Obama also stated
in France that, "We do not intend to continue a policy of rewarding
provocation." Nuclear proliferation is not only a concern for the
U.S. but also for the other nuclear powers, such as Russia and
China. It is believed that Obama has judged that it is necessary to
take a tougher stance, otherwise the wrong message may be sent to
Iran and terrorist organizations.

However, Clinton also said that with regard to the required evidence
for re-listing the DPRK as terrorism sponsor, "We do not have the
answer at this point." Re-listing will also be the strongest card in
negotiations with the DPRK. The U.S. is poised to make a final
decision based on developments in the North Korean regime and its
future moves.

3) Government welcomes agreement on draft UNSC resolution against
North Korea

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
Evening, June 6, 2009

The government has welcomed an agreement reached on basic points in
a draft sanction resolution against North Korea adopted at the UN
Security Council. An official said: "The international community has
finally lined up in agreement."

A senior Foreign Ministry official said that whether the resolution
will work effectively depends on how earnestly China, which has
close economic ties with the North, will move based on the
resolution. The government intends to call on China to fully
implement the sanctions during a bilateral foreign ministerial set
for June 7 in Tokyo and on other occasions.

Once the UNSC formally adopts the resolution, it will inevitably
elicit an angry reaction from North Korea. The DPRK could take
radical actions such as launching a ballistic missile. In
preparations for an unexpected event, the government intends to
tighten security by the Self-Defense Force and others.

Regarding the controversial issue of cargo inspections onboard
ships, all UN member countries are now likely to be subject to this
obligation. Focusing on attached conditions such as required
approval from a ship's country of origin, a senior government
official commented: "Unless an inspection is forcibly carried out,
there probably will be no problem."

The Ship Inspection Operations Law authorizes the Maritime
Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard to carry out cargo
inspections during a recognized regional contingency under which
Japan's peace and security might be seriously affected. But "it is
difficult to recognize the current situation as a regional
contingency."

In discussions on a draft resolution, Japan, in line with the U.S.,
called for including mandatory cargo inspection in the resolution.
If the UN formally adopts the resolution, Japan will have to conduct
cargo inspections. To that end, new legislation or amendments to the
relevant domestic laws might become necessary.

4) UN draft resolution does not refer to "abduction," "ban on bank
transactions"


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YOMIURI (Top Play) (Full)
June 6, 2009

Yoshikazu Shirakawa, New York

The five UN Security Council members, Japan, and South Korea
basically agreed on an additional sanction resolution against North
Korea's second nuclear test. Japan and the U.S. included in their
proposal a measure to ban transactions with two North Korean banks,
but this measure was not included. The proposal by Japan and the
U.S. also referred to the issue of past abductions by North Korea of
Japanese nationals, but this part was also dropped, probably due to
demand by China.

The Japan-U.S. proposal included a provision to mandate a ban on
keeping transaction accounts with two North Korean banks. The two
banks are suspected of being used for payments for transactions
related to nuclear weapons and missiles with foreign countries. By
introducing the measure, Japan and the U.S. aimed to block the
movement of funds.

However, remembering North Korea's fierce reaction to the financial
sanction measure taken by the previous U.S. Bush administration and
fearing possible reckless act by the North, China appears to have
sought elimination of the provision that would ban transactions. A
decision has been made for Japan, the U.S., and other individual
countries to tighten sanctions against specific North Korean banks.

Meanwhile, in the preamble of the Japan-U.S. proposal, there is a
provision noting: "We emphasize again the need for North Korea to
deal with pending issues related to security and humanity in the
international community, including the abduction issue." But the
part "including the abduction issue" was erased in the draft
resolution by the seven countries.

In the process of drafting Resolution 1718 following North Korea's
nuclear test in 2006, although Japan had also called for the
abduction issue to be mentioned then, the issue was not included in
the resolution. The Japanese government intends to emphasize that
the abduction issue is included in "issues related to humanity."

5) UN Secretary General Ban calls for solidarity of UNSC on North
Korea issue

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
June 6, 2009

Prime Minister Taro Aso held on June 5 a telephone conversation with
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Referring in it to
North Korea's nuclear test, Ban emphasized: "It is important for the
UN Security Council members to take a concerted action." He revealed
his perception that the issue is not just related to North Korea,
but to the international community, which has called for nuclear
disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation. Aso sought Kim's
understanding for Japan's call for a new UN resolution including
additional sanctions. He said: "We cannot tolerate North Korea's
having conducted another nuclear test."

6) Japanese, Chinese foreign ministers remain divided over a UN
resolution against North Korea, with China still calling for
caution


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TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
June 8, 2009

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone met his Chinese counterpart Yang
Jiechi in Tokyo yesterday to discuss a UN Security Council (UNSC)
resolution condemning North Korea's nuclear test. In response to
Nakasone's call for a tough resolution, however, China indicated a
cautious view, so they went no further than just agreeing to
continue coordination at the UNSC.

Nakasone said: "The UNSC must adopt a strong resolution that will
make North Korea understand that we cannot tolerate its nuclear
test. Otherwise, the UNSC's authority will be hurt."

In response, Yang called for "an appropriate and balanced
resolution," emphasizing: "We are firmly against North Korea's
testing and possession of nuclear weapons, but it is also very
important to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia."

In reference to the development of gas fields in the East China Sea,
on which the two countries have agreed to jointly develop, Nakasone
stressed the need to initiate negotiations for concluding a pact at
an early date, remarking: "No progress has been made although one
year has already passed since both reached the agreement." But Yang
just replied: "We would like to continue working-level talks."

With respect to the Japan-China human rights dialogue, which resumed
last July after a lapse of eight years, Nakasone and Yang agreed on
a plan to hold its next session in Tokyo in early July.


7) DPJ's Hatoyama, South Korean president share view that Japan,
U.S., ROK need to cooperate to call for China's cooperation for UNSC
sanction resolution against North Korea

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
June 6, 2009

Kimihiko Takahata, Seoul

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama met on June
5 in Seoul with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak at the Blue
House (presidential office) for about one hour. In the meeting,
Hatoyama and Lee shared the view that it is important for Japan, the
United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to cooperate in asking
for China's cooperation for adopting a UN Security Council
resolution over North Korea's recent nuclear test.

Hatoyama emphasized: "It is important how South Korea and Japan
under cooperation of the United States will persuade China." Lee
said: "If Japan, the United States and South Korea cooperate firmly,
China will probably move forward toward that direction."

Referring to the suspended talks on an economic partnership
agreement (EPA) between the governments of Japan and South Korea,
Hatoyama called on Lee for an early conclusion in order also for
bringing about an "East Asia Community." Lee responded, saying: "I
am not against such. If confidence in politics between the two
countries heightens, the problems will be dissolved."

Regarding views of history, Hatoyama said:


TOKYO 00001274 006 OF 013


"I have the courage to look squarely at the past. There is the
tendency in part of (Japanese circles) to glorify Japan's act of
aggression and colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. I, however, do
not take such a position."

8) DPJ head Hatoyama plays up political presence as next prime
minister in meeting with ROK president

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
June 6, 2009

Kimihiko Takahata, Seoul

"A change in government is needed for Japan to build foreign policy
placing priority on Asia," Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) head
Yukio Hatoyama told South Korean President Lee Myung Bak on June 5.
During his talks with Lee, Hatoyama reiterated the words "a change
in government," playing up his political identity as a candidate for
Japan's next prime minister. Lee will visit Japan in late June to
hold talks with Prime Minister Taro Aso. Hatoyama picked South Korea
as the country for his first overseas trip out of a sense of rivalry
with Aso.

The DPJ's foreign and security policy is different from that of the
Social Democratic Party (SDP),which has indicated the intention to
form a coalition with the DPJ in case they win the next House of
Representatives general election. Asked by a reporter after his
meeting with Lee about policy coordination with the SDP and other
opposition parties, Hatoyama said: "How many seats we will secure is
a significant factor. That will determine the way the coalition
government's will be carried out."

DEFENSE AND SECURITY AFFAIRS:

9) Commandant's remarks on concerns about maintaining training level
of U.S. Marines in Okinawa with Guam relocation create stir

MAINICHI (Page 3) (Full)
June 7, 2009

Masaya Oikawa, Washington

U.S. Marine Corps commandant Gen James Conway's remarks regarding
the "revision" of plans for realigning the Marines in Okinawa have
created a stir. His statement is regarded as "an expression of the
Marines' dissatisfaction with the decline in the training level
entailed by the Guam relocation" (source on Japan-U.S. relations) in
anticipation of the drafting of the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)
next February.
Since Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been talking about
"taking the responsibility" for completing U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ)
realignment by 2014, concerns have been raised about internal
differences in the U.S.

At a subcommittee of the House of Representatives Appropriations
Committee on May 6, Conway mentioned a "review" of the plan to
relocate U.S. Marines in Okinawa to Guam due to the expected
"substantial increase in the cost" In addition to the cost, he also
talked about "problems relating to training and the capability of
the facility replacing Futenma Air Station" at a hearing of the
Senate Armed Services Committee on June 4 and said that "there are
several proposals for revision worth considering."

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The Marines are most concerned about the decline in the training
level. With the stationing of 8,000 more troops in Guam, training
facilities will be inadequate and the number of times of training
received per head will drop. Therefore, they have a number of
"ideas" for dispersing training to areas around Guam. Moreover,
there is lingering misgiving with insufficient length of the runways
as a result of Futenma relocation.

Conway is in favor of Guam relocation per se. His remarks on
"revising" the plan are mostly for the purpose of defending the
Marines to make sure that the QDR is drafted in their favor.

According to a source related to the Department of Defense, Gen Jim
Jones, the president's national security adviser, and Assistant
Secretary of Defense Wallace Gregson, both former Marine officers,
have recently reconfirmed the road map for completing USFJ
realignment, including the Futenma relocation plan. Gates has called
House member from Guam Madeleine Bordallo, who reacted strongly to
the Conway's testimony, and told her "Guam relocation will take
place as planned."

10) Gov't: No change in USFJ realignment plan

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
June 7, 2009

In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 4,
U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Conway, who is the USMC's top
commander, suggested the possibility of reviewing the plan to
realign U.S. forces in Japan. The Japanese government has calmly
reacted to his statement. "It does not mean a fundamental change in
the agreement between Japan and the United States," a government
source said. However, if the planned relocation of the U.S.
military's Futenma base in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, is able to
be reviewed, the government may activate consultations with Okinawa
Prefecture and the base-hosting municipalities there that have
called for the relocation plan to be revised.

Prime Minister Taro Aso, when asked by reporters about the Conway
statement on the evening of June 5, went no further than to say, "I
don't know the details." Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura
stressed in his press remarks that the government would not modify
the realignment plan, saying, "Things are progressing along the
agreed roadmap."

On the issue of relocating Futenma airfield, the government plans to
relocate the base to a coastal area of Camp Schwab in the island
prefecture's northern coastal city of Nago. Meanwhile, Okinawa has
asked the government to revise this coastal relocation plan. The
government has persuaded Okinawa, reasoning that the U.S. military
will not accept any revisions to the plan. "Okinawa may now have
strong expectations for revisions to the government plan," a senior
official of the Foreign Ministry said.

11) DPJ to review bases: Okada

ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
June 7, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) Secretary General Katsuya Okada
has indicated that the DPJ, if it takes the reins of government,

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would like to hold consultations with the U.S. administration for a
drastic review of the planned realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
"There are now that many U.S. military bases in Okinawa," Okada says
in an interview carried in the July issue of Sekai magazine, adding:
"I wonder if this is normal. We should discuss this matter from
scratch. President Obama can do so, I think."

The DPJ, in its Okinawa vision released last year, advocated going
over the bilateral agreement on U.S. force realignment plans, such
as the planned relocation of Futenma airfield within Okinawa
Prefecture. However, the DPJ has not referred to when. Okada is the
one to coordinate the party's manifesto for the forthcoming House of
Representatives election, so his remarks will likely have
repercussions on the party's discussions on its campaign pledge.

In the interview, Okada touches on Futenma airfield. Okada says: "If
Futenma airfield is relocated within Okinawa Prefecture, it will be
fixed there. We should make the United States reconsider this
matter." He also says, "We also should be prepared to accept it
somewhere (in Japan)." With this, he suggests the need to screen
specific candidate places, giving heed to relocating Futenma
airfield elsewhere outside Okinawa Prefecture.

12) Japan, South Korea agree to provide information on pirates to
fishing boats in waters off Somalia

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
June 6, 2009

The governments of Japan and South Korea reached an agreement on
June 5 to launch an effort to formulate antipiracy measures for
fishing boats, in addition to tankers and cargo vessels, which are
operating in waters off Somalia and have been increasingly attacked
by pirates. The two countries will ask other countries that have
sent their naval vessels to waters off Somalia, such as the United
States and China, to join the effort, a government source said.

The effort will be part of an agreement to strengthen antipiracy
measures, agreed in January this year between Prime Minister Taro
Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak. The two countries plan
to make the proposal at a high-level meeting to be held in Seoul
starting on June 9 by some 40 countries, including Japan, the United
States, and South Korea, and international organizations, such as
the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Attending from Japan
are Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutoshi
Nishimura and representatives of bonito and tuna fisheries
cooperatives.

The two countries are specifically considering a system letting the
IMO collect information on pirates possessed by countries that have
dispatched naval vessels on antipiracy missions and provide that
information to fishing boats via radio and fax. In turn, fishing
boats are to notify the IMO the dates and locations they have
spotted suspicions vessels that are believed to have carried
pirates.

According to the Foreign Ministry, countries taking part in
antipiracy missions have emphasized security activities in a key
navigation zone connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, but the
piracy-infested area has now expanded to include waters east of
Africa outside of the Gulf of Aden that have plentiful stocks of
tuna. As a result, Japanese, South Korean, Chinese and European

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fishing boats operating in the area are now at a greater risk of
being attacked by pirates.

The government has dispatched Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels
for escorting Japan-related vessels under a maritime policing
provision under the Self-Defense Forces Law. Although there have
been no reports on Japanese fishing boats being attacked by pirates,
calls for antipiracy measures for fishing boats have been growing at
home and abroad following attacks on Chinese and Taiwanese boats.

13) Japan to propose use of Internet to provide piracy information
to military and civilians

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
June 7, 2009

The government has firmed up its policy intention of starting to
build a system for sharing with the military and civilian sectors of
each country through the Internet information of pirates threatening
ships in the waters off Somalia in Africa. Parliamentary Vice
Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutoshi will propose this at an
international conference on the piracy problem to be held in Seoul
on June 9.

Currently, there is voluntary sharing of Somalian piracy information
among the military forces operating in the waters. The information
for commercial vessels is collected by such organizations as IMB,
the International Maritime Bureau, and then provided to the ships.
The information for the military and commercial vessels centers on
important sea routes that traverse the Suez Canal and the Gulf of
Aden.

On the other hand, to the east off Somalia lie fertile fishing
grounds for tuna and bonito, and there are many fishing vessels from
such countries as Japan, China, South Korea and Spain operating
there. However, there is no set up for collecting information that
fishing vessels can obtain. For that reason, the Japanese government
has decided to work out a system that would: 1) take the information
received from fishing vessels by wireless and e-mails and collect it
for the International Maritime Organization (IMO); and 2) post
information on the Internet that could be shared with the military,
commercial ships, and fishing vessels.

In creating such an information net, it not only would prevent
fishing vessels from the piracy danger, it also would be able to
grasp the activities of pirates over a broad area from the Gulf of
Aden to the area off to the east of Somalia.

14) Defense Ministry to give up on including FX fighter cost in its
FY2010 budgetary request

YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
June 7, 2009

The Defense Ministry has decided not to include the cost of
purchasing the next-generation mainstay fighter jet (FX) for the Air
Self-Defense Force (ASDF) in its budgetary request for fiscal 2010.
The ministry said it was unable to obtain sufficient information on
two state-of-the-art stealth fighters, or fifth-generation aircraft,
from among six short-listed models, concluding that further study is
necessary before purchasing. The ministry's decision might further
delay the introduction of FX fighters.

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The FX fighters will replace aging F-4 fighters that are becoming
outdated. The ministry aims to establish two wings, including
auxiliary aircraft, which will comprise about 50 FX fighters. The
government had planned to conclude a contract to buy seven aircraft
during the current (FY2005-2009) Midterm Defense Buildup Program,
but due to its inability to determined the most suitable model, it
will now likely to postpone its purchase plan until the next
five-year defense buildup program, which starts in fiscal 2010.

Analysts say that a failure to include the purchasing cost in the
ministry's budgetary request for fiscal 2010 and a delay in the
introduction of the FX as result might result in a decline in the
country's air defense capabilities.

The fifth-generation aircraft include the U.S.-made F-22 Raptor
fighter and the F-35 fighter jointly developed by the United States
and Britain.

Many within the ASDF are keen to adopt the Raptor, but the ministry
is unable to obtain details on the model due to a U.S. Congress
embargo established to prevent technological information leaks. As
the ministry is still comparing the six different models, it is
difficult to decide on a specific aircraft before the ministry makes
a budgetary request.

In the request, it is possible for the ministry to include the cost
of purchasing jet fighters without specifying a model. However, a
senior ministry official said: "The ministry will have to decide on
a model before the government begins working out next year's budget
at the end of the year. If (the United States) does not remove its
information embargo on the F-22, the ministry will have to pick a
model from among the remaining models." From a standpoint of putting
high priority on obtaining F-22s, the ministry says it cannot help
but to give up on including the purchasing cost in its budgetary
request.

It is said that after signing a purchase contract, it takes about
five years for the nation to obtain the FX fighters. The ministry
plans to extend the life of its F-14 fighters by cutting their use.

OPINION POLLS:

15) Poll: Cabinet support remains flat at 29.5%

YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
June 8, 2009

The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a telephone-based nationwide public
opinion survey on June 5-7, in which the rate of public support for
the Aso cabinet was 29.5% with the nonsupport rate at 61.0%. In the
last survey taken May 16-17, the support rate was 30.0% and the
nonsupport rate was 60.4%. Respondents were also asked to choose
whether Prime Minister Aso or Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto)
President Hatoyama is more appropriate for prime minister. In this
popularity ranking, Hatoyama scored 44% (42% in the last survey),
with Aso at 33% (32% in the last survey).

In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party stood at 28.5% (28.4% in the last survey),
with the DPJ at 27.7% (30.8% in the last survey). However, the DPJ
exceeded the LDP in the public's preference for political parties

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for proportional representation in the next election for the House
of Representatives. In this category, the DPJ was at 39% (41% in the
last survey),and the LDP at 29% (27% in the last survey).

16) Poll: 32% to vote for DPJ in Tokyo election, 20% for LDP

TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top play) (Abridged)
June 8, 2009

The July 12 election for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly is expected
to foretell the outcome of the next election for the House of
Representatives. With the metropolitan election ahead, the Tokyo
Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey in Tokyo on June 5-7 to
probe public trends. In the public's choice of which political party
to vote for, the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto),which holds
the second largest number of seats in the metropolitan assembly, was
far ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party, which has the largest
number of seats in the assembly, by a margin of 12.2 points. The DPJ
rose 11.1 points compared with a previous survey conducted before
the last metropolitan assembly election took place in 2005.
Meanwhile, nearly 70% of the respondents were undecided.

The survey was conducted over the telephone, with its respondents
chosen from among Tokyo's voting population. Answers were obtained
from 1,514 persons.

Respondents were asked if they would go to the polls. In response to
this question, those who will go to the polls for sure and those who
will probably do so totaled 83.3%. The figure is up from 76.3% in
the last survey. However, the actual voter turnout in the last
metropolitan assembly election was 43.99%, the second lowest level
ever.

Those who have already decided on which candidate to vote for,
including those who have generally decided, accounted for 31.3%.
Those who answered "not yet decided" (67.7%) and those who answered
"don't know" (1%) were also asked which political party's candidate
they would vote for if they were to vote now.

In this public preference, the DPJ scored 32.5%, with the LDP at
20.3% and the New Komeito at 7.9%. The DPJ, which is an opposition
party in the metropolitan assembly, was above the total figure for
the LDP and the New Komeito as the ruling parties for Tokyo Gov.
Shintaro Ishihara. Among other political parties, the Japanese
Communist Party was at 4.9%, the Social Democratic Party at 1.3%,
and the Seikatsusha Net at 1.1%. Independents were at 6.4%.

In the breakdown of public support for political parties as well,
the DPJ marked 21.2%, with the LDP at 19.3%. The New Komeito was at
7.3%, the JCP at 3.8%, the SDP at 0.8%, and the Seikatsusha Net at
0.7%. "None" accounted for 44.1%.

17) High-level economic dialogue: Japan, China agree to promote
cooperation in broader areas, including protection of intellectual
property rights, trade

NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full)
June 8, 2009

Tokyo and Beijing on June 7 held a high-level economic dialogue of
cabinet ministers. Participants agreed to promote cooperation in
broader areas, including protection of intellectual property rights

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and investment. They also agreed to set up a
government-to-government consultative body designed to promote
measures against copied products and aim to reach an early
settlement of multilateral trade liberalization talks (Doha Round)
at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Japanese participants
expressed concern about China's plan to introduce the China
Compulsory Certification (CCC) system for the disclosure of
technical information on information technology (IT) products.
However, no progress was achieved.

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, who served as the chairman of
the Japanese side, during a joint press conference held after the
meeting pointed out, "Japan-China economic relations will
increasingly fulfill an important role in the region and the
international community." Vice Premier Wang Qishan, chairman of the
Chinese side, said, "I want to promote bilateral economic and trade
cooperation by properly setting the direction of our mutually
beneficial strategic relationship." They agreed to hold the next
round of the dialogue in China in 2010.

The Japanese side expressed concern over protection of intellectual
property rights, citing that an estimate of damage caused to Japan
by copied products made in China tops 9 trillion yen. The two
countries exchanged memorandums, which include plans to establish of
a government-to-government consultative body as a setting to discuss
the implementation of laws concerning copied products and
intellectual property rights. Bureau director-level officials of the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Chinese Ministry of
Commerce will participate in the envisaged forum, and it will be
held once a year.

China plans to implement the compulsory disclosure of information
technology of IT products to be procured by its government, starting
on May 2010. Although the Japanese side asked China to take a second
look at the introduction of such a plan, the Chinese side made no
definite response.

As a measure to stem the slowdown of the global economy,
participants agreed that the governments of both countries will
steadily implement specific measures agreed upon at the summit
meeting of 20 nations and areas (G-20 financial summit) held in
London in April. In the environment and energy areas, an agreement
was reached on promoting specific projects for energy conservation,
water disposal, and industrial waste.

18) Prime minister to announce 7% cut in greenhouse gas emissions,
compared with 1990 level

ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
June 7, 2009

The government has started final adjustments toward adopting a 7%
cut in greenhouse gas emissions in comparison with the 1990 level
(14% reduction, compared with the 2005 level) as Japan's mid-term
goal to be achieved by 2020. He will highlight differences from
goals of Europe and the U.S., by stressing that Japan will cut the
targeted amount of emissions in net terms, based on domestic
energy-conserving measures. The European Union (EU) and the U.S.
will include emissions quotas obtained in return for technical and
financial cooperation to other countries. Prime Minister Taro Aso
will formally announce Japan's mid-term goal on June 10.


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The mid-term goal will serve as Japan's basic stance at
international talks to discuss greenhouse gas emissions under a
post-Kyoto framework starting in 2013. The talks will come to a
climax later in the year. The mid-term goals of the EU and the U.S.
are both 14% cuts in comparison with the 2005 level. Japan wants to
have the upper hand in those talks, joined by emerging and
developing countries, such as China and India, by coming up with the
same reduction rate.

The goals of the EU and the U.S. presumably factor in emissions
quotas obtained from other countries and forests absorbing carbon
dioxide. Japan will make a public appeal that its goal is ambitious,
as it excludes such factors. The prime minister is expected to
announce that Japan can further raise its reduction rate, if its
goal factors in emissions quotas gained from other countries and
emissions absorbed by forests.

Meanwhile, emerging countries and developing countries are insisting
that industrialized countries should cut emissions by 40% from the
1990 level. They will likely criticize Japan's mid-term goal as
insufficient. For this reason, the prime minister will announce
Japan's stance of assisting other countries in their efforts to cut
carbon dioxide emissions, using its high energy-saving technology
and funds.

Concerning Japan's policy, the government's Mid-Term Goal Review
Committee had released six options ranging from a 4% increase in
comparison with the 1990 level(4% cut, compared with the 2005 level)
to a 25% cut from the 1990 level (30% cut from the 2005 level).
Business circles, which are seeking a lenient goal, and environment
NGOs, which are calling for a major reduction rate, had been at
odds. The prime minister is attaching special importance to business
circles, which are to fulfill major responsibility for emissions
cut. He will reach a final decision, after meeting with
representatives of business circles and labor unions on the 8th.

ZUMWALT