DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/02/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 07/02/09 INDEX: (1) Split in anti-Aso coalition over early LDP presidential election (Yomiuri) (2) Editorial: Cabinet roster changes - miscalculation after much fuss (Asahi) (3) Editorial: DPJ Hatoyama's false donation statements quite irresponsible (Asahi) (4) Japan's assistance to Africa (Yomiuri) (5) Tamogami, a nuclear weapons advocate, to give lecture in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, the city's atomic bombing anniversary; Mayor asks for consideration for bereaved families and change of date; Tamogami plays up freedom of expression, challenge (Tokyo Shimbun) (6) Military expert Ogawa at forum calls for SOFA revision; ConGen Maher emphasizes operational improvement (Ryukyu Shimpo) (7) Column: Strategic ambiguity on nuclear weapons is effective (Sankei) (8) To America: San Francisco Peace Treaty structure that shelved responsibility now fraying; Post-war reconciliation urged (Mainichi) (9) PNP's Shizuka Kamei: New administration should shift to policy of independence from the U.S.! (Nippon) ** There will be no Daily Summary on Friday, July 3 - an American holiday. ** ARTICLES: (1) Split in anti-Aso coalition over early LDP presidential election YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly) July 2, 2009 Nine groups consisting of junior and mid-level lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),who are distancing themselves from Prime Minister Taro Aso, held the first meeting yesterday of the so-called manifesto coalition conference (manifesto rengo kaigi). The manifesto conference drafted a joint policy, hoping to include it in the LDP's campaign pledges (manifesto) for the next House of Representatives election. The conference will call on Aso and the LDP leadership to reflect the draft policy in the party's manifesto. If this request is rejected, the conference will put its moves to oust Aso into full gear. However, there is a gap in views among the junior and mid-level members, who attended the meeting, over the anti-Aso movement. The anti-Aso coalition is visibly spilt over policy issues. The joint policy is comprised of five key elements such as thorough reform of the bureaucracy including a ban on amakudari (golden parachute) practices, as well as the practice called watari in which retired bureaucrats land successive posts often in semi-governmental bodies for short stints. The key elements also include promotion of decentralization, including drafting of a roadmap for the introduction of the regional bloc system (doshusei). TOKYO 00001518 002 OF 013 After the meeting, Upper House member Hiroshige Seko told reporters: "There will be no dissolution if a manifesto is not compiled. If (Aso) dissolves the Lower House before coming up with a manifesto, (an early LDP presidential race) will be possible." Lower House member Yukari Sato and other LDP members, who are now collecting signatures in order to hold a general meeting on July 13 of all LDP Diet members, are included in the manifesto conference. The group, including Sato and Lower House member Masaaki Taira, has a strategy of replacing Prime Minister Aso by carrying out the LDP leadership race earlier than expected based on the result of the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan election, by preventing Aso from dissolving the Lower House early. Therefore, the prevailing view is that the purpose of holding a general meeting is to have junior lawmakers urge Aso to step down and to implement the presidential race before the Lower House election. However, junior and mid-level lawmakers are not unified. While some members are calling for speeding up the presidential election, Kenichi Mizuno, Itsunori Onodera, and Masahiko Shibayama are calling for improving the quality of a manifesto by making policy proposals and keeping their distance from the political situation. The situation is that there is no strong candidate to replace Aso and the anti-Aso movement is not building momentum. In fact, the total number of members in the nine groups is "about 100," Seko said. Only 20 members attended yesterday's meeting. This shows that young lawmakers have to give priority to their election campaigning in their districts because their election bases are not necessarily secure. (2) Editorial: Cabinet roster changes - miscalculation after much fuss ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) July 2, 2009 Prime Minister Aso decided to add two more members to his cabinet lineup yesterday, naming Yoshimasa Hayashi as economic and fiscal policy minister and Motoo Hayashi as chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and minister of state in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories and disaster management. He was also considering replacing key LDP executive members but gave up on this idea. The newly appointed lawmakers received their first cabinet posts last August under the reshuffled Fukuda cabinet. However, since Prime Minister Fukuda stepped down in September and then the Aso administration was inaugurated, they held their ministerial posts for less than two months. Mikio Hayashi will reassume his first cabinet post again. Since Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa resigned (in February),and Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Kunio Hatoyama was replaced (in June),State Minister for Financial Services, Economic and Fiscal Policy has concurrently served as finance minister, while TOKYO 00001518 003 OF 013 the National Public Safety Commission Chairman has held the post of minister of internal affairs and communications. Aso said that the additional appointments are aimed to reduce multiple portfolios for incumbent ministers. In the current Diet session, however, almost all key bills have already been enacted, so there probably are few people who take what the prime minister said at face value. Only some 70 days are left until the House of Representatives members' terms of office expire. The prime minister's attempt to replace party executive officers and cabinet members now must have been stemmed from a desire to regain political strength somehow, eyeing the upcoming general election. As candidates for such posts as party secretary general and Policy Research Council chairman, who step forward in stump speeches and policy debates in election campaigning, some proposed Yoshihide Suga, a close aide to Aso, and well-known Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Masuzoe. Some people even talked about Aso's speculated attempt to appoint entertainer-turned Miyazaki Governor Higashikokubaru to the cabinet. Aso, however, had to give up on these planned appointments as he failed to obtain approval from influential lawmakers in the factions that have supported him and party executive members. Such lawmakers might have been reluctant to accept the apparent claptrap strategy taken by the prime minister with an eye on the upcoming election. Although Aso decided on appointments to the cabinet, he was not able to satisfactorily play the last card to give a boost to his administration. Aso told reporters yesterday: "I don't think anybody could have heard me say that I would change the party executive lineup." He tried to emphasize there he didn't switch his policy, but it is obvious that he made a major miscalculation. Aso will have to keep treading a thorny path ahead of the dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election. The Shizuoka gubernatorial election is set for July 5, and the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election is scheduled for July 12. A close contest is expected in both elections. Depending on their outcomes, moves to oust Prime Minister Aso might escalate. During the period between the two local elections, Aso will attend the Group of Eight (G-8) summit in Italy. It is questionable that Aso, who has sharply lost support of his party, will be able to fully demonstrate his leadership in the G-8 summit. The prime minister's plight represents the Liberal Democratic Party's declining ability to govern after its longtime rule. As long as the prime minister continues to delay a general election to seek the people's judgment, the LDP will never be able to regenerate itself. The party is now urged to face this reality. (3) Editorial: DPJ Hatoyama's false donation statements quite irresponsible ASAHI (Page 3) (Slightly abridged) July 2, 2009 TOKYO 00001518 004 OF 013 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Hatoyama acknowledged that his fund management organization had made false statements in its funds reports and offered an apology. The organization is said to have listed the names of people who had not actually donated money, including even deceased people, as individual donators in its fund reports. Hatoyama revealed that he had asked four lawyers to investigate the case and explained what was found in two weeks since the scandal of falsified statements was reported. According to his explanation, the amount of misstated funds since related data began to be kept in 2005 exceeded 21 million yen, and the names of about 90 persons were used as individual donors. According to the Hatoyama side, Hatoyama's secretary responsible for accounting for the management body failed to collect individual donations, so he made falsified statements in order to cover up his negligence by transferring Hatoyama's individually donated funds. Hatoyama said that his secretary had made false statements on his own judgment and that he had not been informed of it. Falsifying statements in fund reports is a clear fact and is in violation of the Political Funds Control Law. Hatoyama assumes a heavy responsibility. The amount of misstated money annually reached 4 to 7 million yen. Hatoyama is known as a wealthy person, but his annual income, as disclosed on June 30, was less than 30 million yen. It is said that Hatoyama has had his secretary keep more than 10 million yen and disburse funds when needed personally, but we wonder whether all such money really came from Hatoyama. Illegal donations might have been included among the funds. The Hatoyama side's explanation is to mean that although personal funds and political funds were mixed up, Hatoyama did not know for what the funds had been used. This is far from being a convincing explanation. Reflecting on the arrest of former president Ichiro Ozawa's government-paid secretary over illegal donations, the DPJ has decided to include in its manifesto for the upcoming general election pledges to abolish all corporate donations three years from now and to take measures to boost individual donations. But the fund management office of its president, who should demonstrate leadership, has exposed this woeful, helpless state. We are fed up with the series of money-and-politics scandals involving both ruling and opposition party members. All political parties excluding the Japanese Communist Party receive approximately 30 billion yen in state subsidies annually. But politicians have continued to receive donations in an undisciplined manner. Since huge amounts of tax money injected in the political parties, they should not be irresponsible. The ruling parties have been encouraged by the error of the leader of its rival, DPJ, in the run-up to the general election. But they must not forget that public anger is also leveled at the ruling camp. TOKYO 00001518 005 OF 013 Finance Minister Yosano has been suspected of having received political donations from a futures trading company through a dummy group. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nikai, who allegedly received donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co., and other Liberal Democratic Party members involved in scandals have not given any proper explanation. Such ruling party members must also straighten up, instead of only criticizing the opposition party. (4) Japan's assistance to Africa YOMIURI (Page 13) (Almost full) July 2, 2009 Rieko Suzuki, director of Millennium Promise Japan, non-governmental organization Assistance to Africa is on the agenda of the G8 Summit to be held in Italy on July 8. Although Italy and France are adopting a passive stance due to the global economic crisis, Japan pledged to double its official development assistance (ODA) at the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in May last year. It also announced additional assistance at a cabinet ministerial-level meeting held in Botswana in March this year. The G8 will be a big opportunity for Japan to display political leadership. Regarding Africa, there is concern about the unstable political situation, infectious disease epidemics, and the impact of global warming. However, when I actually visited Mozambique and Uganda this year, I experienced the energy of the people. Investment in Africa by the world reached 48 billion dollars in 2006, topping ODA for the first time. Return on investment in Africa is the highest in the world. The growth of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa is 4.7% on average, double the rate of industrialized countries. Criticism of ODA by Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo that since ODA has fomented corruption in various African countries and barred people from making self-help efforts, it should be ended within five years, is recently drawing attention in the U.S. and European countries. However, Rwanda, which is achieving rapid growth, received financial assistance equivalent to about 13% of its GNP on average between 2000 and 2007. This figure is about 50% of its budget for 2008. If ODA is ended now, it could hamper the nation's economy from growing. ODA certainly has merits and demerits. Discussion on ODA should focus on how it can be used in an effective manner. It is important to choose trustworthy governments and take measures to provide what is most needed by listening to the opinions of people in recipient countries and consolidating the social infrastructure of recipient countries so that they can handle ODA on their own. In that respect, the Millennium Village Project (MVP) designed to encourage people in Sub-Saharan Africa who live on less than a dollar a day to become independent with a slogan of achieving the target of the UN Millennium Development, is worth noting. Under the MVP, the period of assistance is limited and eligible areas are TOKYO 00001518 006 OF 013 carefully screened. Local intellectuals and communities are entrusted with direct investment and assistance with cooperation extended by international agencies. The scheme is steadily producing results, based on the self-support policy the Japanese government once adopted and succeeded in implementing Asia, and the above mentioned ideals. I took part in the Africa-Asia Business Forum (AABF) held in Uganda in June. The AABF is one of the TICAD follow-up conferences. Participating in the meeting were many people from the public and private sectors. Exchanges were active. The Japanese government's effort to increase its identity in Africa, by holding international conferences on Africa on a regular basis deserves high marks. Japan is winning the confidence of concerned parties for its stance that is cautious but it keeps its pledges. The sense of affinity to and expectations for Japan as a country that has neither colonized African countries nor enslaved Africans is great. A former South Korean lawmaker at the AABF made a strong statement and evoked cheers. She said, "I once was too poor to buy a pair of shoes. What is important is education." I believe Japan is being called upon to produce persons who can respond to African people's expectations and send a strong message to them as a so-called symbol of our country. Rieko Suzuki: Graduated from London University graduate school. 53 years old. (5) Tamogami, a nuclear weapons advocate, to give lecture in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, the city's atomic bombing anniversary; Mayor asks for consideration for bereaved families and change of date; Tamogami plays up freedom of expression, challenge TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 22) (Full) July 2, 2009 Junya Hata Former Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami, 60, known as an advocate of Japan having a nuclear option, is scheduled to give a lecture titled, "Doubts about the Peace of Hiroshima," in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing on the city. Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba sent a written request asking him to change the date, stressing that his lecture could end up increasing the sorrow of bereaved families. Tamogami is set to reject the request, citing freedom of expression. Tamogami's lecture is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 6 at a Hiroshima hotel under the auspices of Nippon Kaigi Hiroshima (Japan Council Hiroshima),which is promoting the legislating of the era name system and other causes. The admission fee is 1,500 yen; an advance ticket is 1,200 yen. During his tenure as ASDF chief of staff, Tamogami wrote an essay asserting that the Greater East Asia War was not a war of aggression but resulted from a plot by the Comintern. His views on history that were at variance with the position of the government raised questions. He eventually retired from the Ministry of Defense after being dismissed from the ASDF post. The planned Tamogami lecture stunned the Hiroshima city government, which annually hosts on Aug. 6 the memorial ceremony for the TOKYO 00001518 007 OF 013 atomic-bomb victims and the peace memorial ceremony. It is customary for the major to read a "peace declaration" during the ceremony. Last year, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the ceremony. Many civic groups held peace events in various parts of the city. A Hiroshima ordinance stipulates Aug. 6 as Peace Memorial Day. It can be said that Aug. 6 is the most important day for Hiroshima, where many people are still suffering from the aftereffects of the bomb's radiation. On June 29, Mayor Akiba sent letters to Tamogami and the host asking for a change of the date of the lecture. The letter says: "In view of freedom of expression, you are free to express anything. Nevertheless, Aug. 6 is the day when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima for the first time in human history. I would like you to consider changing the date of the event in deference to the feelings of the citizens of Hiroshima." Tamogami is still in high spirits. In an interview for this column, Tamogami said: "In the lecture, I am planning to discuss the issues of national defense and of nuclear armament. There is no freedom of speech in postwar Japan. No one raises any questions when unarmed neutrality is discussed in connection with military and SDF affairs. The media is quick to rap anyone who talks about an increase in the SDF and the option of nuclear arming for defending the county, and Diet discussion are thrown into uproar. It cannot be said that the freedom of speech is guaranteed in such a country." Tamogami thinks Japan, too, should arm itself with nuclear weapons. He explained the reason this way: "No one wins in a nuclear war. Everyone knows that the two warring parties will fall in an actual (nuclear) war. But the possession of nuclear weapons will probably not escalate into war. The Japanese people are not aware of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty's (NPT) true intent, which is for the five powers to monopolize nuclear weapons." Setting aside the propriety of the lecture, his speaking on that day might hurt the feelings of many bereaved families. Tamogami still insisted: "I think this is a challenge. The elimination of nuclear weapons will work negatively for the stability of the world. The current situation cannot be left as is." In his speech in Prague in April, U.S. President Barack Obama called for the elimination of nuclear weapons. In May, North Korea conducted its second nuclear test, drawing condemnation from the international community. Both the nuclear disarmament movement and the nuclear threats are moving forward in today's world. This year's "Hiroshima bomb day" is likely to create an air of excitement different from that of usual years. (6) Military expert Ogawa at forum calls for SOFA revision; ConGen Maher emphasizes operational improvement RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full) July 2, 2009 TOKYO 00001518 008 OF 013 A forum on the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), entitled "The Japan-U.S. Alliance and Okinawa from Now On," sponsored by the Okinawa chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Japan was held at the Palette City Community Center (auditorium) in Naha City on July 1. One of the speakers, military commentator Kazuhisa Ogawa said: "The status quo in Okinawa is abnormal, even if premised on the Japan-U.S. security alliance. Japan should continue to demand SOFA revision," emphasizing the need for the Japanese government to take a proactive approach. During the discussion, U.S. Consul General for Okinawa Kevin Maher pointed out: "The SOFA, as it currently exists, is functioning properly. Most Japanese people do not understand the SOFA and are reacting emotionally." He indicated that in his view its operation should be improved by the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. Hiroyuki Ohama, chairman of JCI Okinawa, asserted: "The alliance should not be taken as a given. We should think about what the grounds are for making the alliance necessary. Improvement of operations will give rise to the problem of interpretation changing in the future. The government should hold discussions on SOFA revision." JCI Okinawa is in the process of drawing up draft proposals for SOFA revision, which will be announced in October. (7) Column: Strategic ambiguity on nuclear weapons is effective SANKEI (Page 1) (Full) July 2, 2009 Hiroshi Yuasa, Tokyo correspondent Each time a vessel enters the Yokosuka base, home of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, reporters always ask this question: "Is this U.S. vessel entering Yokosuka carrying nuclear weapons?" They always get the following answer from the U.S. Navy: "We are unable to confirm or deny whether the ship is carrying nuclear arms." Since the Navy's public relations officer gives a written answer, this must be a prepared text. This vagueness on the presence of nuclear arms is important and is called strategic ambiguity. Most probably, the U.S. side's reply has not changed at all for the past 50 years. In recent years, one has also heard about the Clinton administration's "strategic ambiguity" with regard to its Taiwan policy. On the question of U.S. response in case China invades Taiwan, then Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye said: "We decline to say whether the U.S. forces will intervene or not." In this case, ambiguity addressed the need not to provoke China, while also demonstrating the intent to maintain deterrence. It implied that China should refrain from making an armed attack because the U.S. forces would respond to the attack. Strategic ambiguity is also a well-known Israeli policy. Israel does not say whether it possesses nuclear arms or not, deterring hostile Arab forces from acting rashly. Thanks to this policy, Israel has not had to sign up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has been able to make the world think that it is "fearsome" because it "possesses nuclear weapons." In reality, when a criminal state like North Korea comes to possess TOKYO 00001518 009 OF 013 nuclear weapons, strategic ambiguity becomes unreliable. Still, Japan, due to its ambivalent feelings as the "only atomic-bombed country," persists in the strategic ambiguity of not even clarifying whether U.S. vessels carry nuclear arms or not. Meanwhile, the government's answer to the question on the Japan-U.S. "secret agreement on bringing in nuclear arms" is still that "it does not exist" - a categorical denial. This is not strategic ambiguity but deceiving the domestic audience with the proposition that "there are no nuclear arms" in Japan. If this government response is taken at face value, will this not undermine nuclear deterrence? On the other hand, it is dishonest for Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura to say, "Inasmuch as there has not been any prior consultations, nuclear arms have not been brought into Japan." The book by former Vice Foreign Minister Ryohei Murata, Memoirs of Ryohei Murata (Murata Ryohei Kaisoroku) published last year and his recent remarks are meant to suggest that the government should stop its dishonest statements and engage in a serious debate on nuclear arms. Certain media outlets have tended to focus only on the statement of Murata, a former vice foreign minister, that "there is a secret deal between Japan and the United States on bringing in nuclear arms," while making light the government's lie. However, the ironic fact that deterrence is indeed functioning because probably nobody believes the government's statements until now have been overlooked. This secret agreement had already been revealed by the late Professor Kei Wakaizumi of Kyoto Sangyo University (passed away in 1996) in his book The Best Course Available (Tasaku Nakarishi wo Shinzemu to Yokusu) in 1994. Wakaizumi was Prime Minister Eisaku Sato's secret envoy during the negotiations for Okinawa's reversion of Japanese administration in the late 1960s. The problem is rather with the three non-nuclear principles Prime Minister Sato pledged in his policy speech of 1968. By committing to "not producing, possessing, or introducing" nuclear weapons, flexibility was completely lost. Today, not only U.S. ships, but also Chinese and Russian vessels sail around with nuclear arms onboard. "Non-introduction" of nuclear arms is thus utterly anachronistic. North Korea will probably take advantage of its status as "nuclear power" to behave roughly in the near future. If Japan does not intend to possess nuclear weapons on its own, it should at least shelve the three non-nuclear principles and shift to strategic ambiguity. (8) To America: San Francisco Peace Treaty structure that shelved responsibility now fraying; Post-war reconciliation urged MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) July 1, 2009 Kiyoshi Moriya (84),who was a civilian employee of the Imperial Japanese Army, now lives at a facility for former members of the Kuomintang Party in Douliu City, Yunlin Sian, Taiwan, calling himself Chen Hsien-jui. He was born to a Taiwanese parent, when Taiwan was occupied by the Empire of Japan. He was taken prisoner by the U.S. army during the war and sent to a camp in Australia. He TOKYO 00001518 010 OF 013 obtained Japanese nationality after changing from Taiwan's Kuomintang Party to the People's Liberation Army. Taiwanese lost their Japanese nationality following the enactment of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1952. Moriya is not entitled to Japan's postwar compensation. Japan in 1987 decided to pay condolence money of up to 2 million yen to dead or injured Taiwanese who were civilian employees of the Imperial Japanese Army. However, Moriya, who was uninjured, was not eligible for the allowance. He just received unpaid wages (120 times the amount he was supposed to receive at the time),following the decision the Murayama cabinet reached in 1994. He is pro-Japanese and sympathetic to Japan's defeat in the war. However, his position is similar to those who were sent off to areas that were occupied by Japan and left behind when Japan was defeated in the war (kimin). There are similar problems involving South and North Koreans. Former imperialistic European countries are tackling similar issues as a post-colonial rule atonement policy, by distinguishing it from a post-war atonement policy toward countries with which Japan fought. Japan, whose stance is that the post-war atonement issues between nations was settled by the San Francisco Peace Treaty, is almost unaware of the idea of post-colonial rule, as researcher Huang of the Academia Sinica of Taiwan said. A number of Koreans and Chinese who were drafted (for forced labor) by Japan filed lawsuits, starting with the case in which Koreans who were left behind in Sakhalin filed a lawsuit in 1990. The Japanese government issued the Murayama statement on August 15, 1995, acknowledging Japan's history of colonial rule and aggression. However, this is also premised on the San Francisco Peace Treaty structure. "If we bring up matters that occurred some 50 years ago, the Japan-U.S. relations that we have developed thus far may head for a bad direction. The Japanese side also has something to say. However, it is better not to do so. If we open a Pandora's box, it will cause big trouble." So saying, then ambassador to the U.S. Shunji Yanai at a press conference stressed that former American hostages, who were made to do forced labor in various parts of Japan during the war, would file lawsuits against Japanese companies seeking compensation for damage. The Japan-U.S. alliance is in good shape, since Japan does not say anything about air strikes or the atomic bombing by the U.S. In return for its joining the U.S.-led Western bloc, Japan has shelved its responsibility for thinking about not only taking security measures (on its own) but also coming to terms with its prewar actions and implementing them. As a result, it has evaded these responsibilities by accepting the U.S. thinking and mode of action under its umbrella. That is what the San Francisco Peace Treaty meant in terms of handling the post-war atonement issue and the view of wartime history. However, now that the Cold War is over, Japan must deal with post-war and post-colonial rule atonement issues on its own without resorting to the ready-made stance prepared by the U.S. In Japan, opposition to China and South Korea surged after the TOKYO 00001518 011 OF 013 mid-1990s, over the issue of history textbooks. The move peaked, following former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine between 2001 and 2006. However, under the post-San Francisco Peace Treaty structure, offering apologies or reconciliation could work as strong soft power instead of being a source of humiliation. It is impossible for Japan-U.S. relations alone to be treated like a sanctuary that is exempt from responsibility. (9) PNP's Shizuka Kamei: New administration should shift to policy of independence from the U.S.! NIPPON (Pages 16-23) (Excerpts) July 2009 Interview with People's New Party (PNP) Deputy Chairman and House of Representatives member Shizuka Kamei by political commentator Keiichiro Nakamura New administration will declare "rollout of independent diplomacy" Nakamura: Political, economic, and social management centered on the Liberal Democratic Party has continued for more than 50 years. I think Japan is now approaching a major turning point that will shake its very foundation. Mr Kamei, tell us your assessment of the present situation as a politician. Kamei: On May 13, I met with National Security Council coordinator Gary Samore and senior director for Asian affairs Jeffrey Bader, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Glyn Davies and Democratic Congressman Sander Levin. I told them that the new administration that will be born after the general election will make every effort to support the global strategy of the Obama administration to emerge from the present crisis. However, I also told them in no uncertain terms that the hitherto pattern of the United States setting the policy arbitrarily and telling Japan to cooperate will no longer work under the new administration, and that if the United States truly regards Japan as an ally, it will have to consult fully with Japan on world policy, Asian policy, security policy, economic policy, and all other policies when implementing policies. I also conveyed to them that the new Japanese administration will not necessarily be amenable to the United States' making bilateral decisions with China or North Korea. Right now, many Japanese politicians visiting the U.S. say things like "Japan carries on with the Japan-U.S. alliance as its cornerstone; we will cooperate with anything." Such is music to the ears, but this will not work under the new administration. I made this point clear to them, as well. This might sound a bit too strong but I said: "In this case, the U.S. will no longer be able to meddle in Japan's affairs. It will not be possible to use U.S. forces Japan to topple the new administration. The U.S. will not be able to stop the birth of a new administration in Japan, at least unless the C.I.A. assassinates me." Nakamura: What was the American reaction? Kamei: They were astonished and said: "This is the first time we TOKYO 00001518 012 OF 013 have heard such a statement." Nakamura: Japan has so far maintained a foreign policy with the Japan-U.S. security arrangements as its linchpin. I think the notion that everything is okay as long as the Japan-U.S. relationship is stable and that the bilateral relationship is everything is questionable. The new cabinet needs to build a new independent Japan-U.S. relationship. Kamei: During my recent visit to the U.S., I notified the U.S. side that the new cabinet will demand a new relationship. I told them: "Unless you assassinate Shizuka Kamei, America cannot have its way." Unless Japan and the U.S. have an equal relationship and unless they consult fully in promoting policies, U.S. diplomacy will not be able to achieve results. In more specific terms, when the United States executes its policy toward North Korea, it has to keep in mind that there are 500,000 Koreans in Japan who pledge their allegiance to Kim Jong Il. These Koreans live in Japan and engage in economic, social, and cultural activities. I pointed out clearly that in that sense, Japan's relation with North Korea is different from that of faraway America. North Korea's missiles can reach Japan, but they cannot reach the U.S. That is, the basic premise in diplomacy toward North Korea should be that although there are things in common between Japan and the U.S., there are also many things that are different. They have to understand that when the United States' North Korean diplomacy is not in Japan's interest, Japan will have to adopt policies different from those of the U.S. On the part of North Korea, since stronger economic relations with Japan will be beneficial, when the U.S. executes its own policies toward that country, it is possible that Japan will also roll out its own policies. After listening to my opinion, Mr Samore said that nobody had ever said such things before. Furthermore, even if the U.S. wants to roll out its own policies toward China, which has had various experiences in its long history, it will not be able to handle this country. I argued that for this reason, even in China policy, the U.S. will not be successful if it does not consult Japan and borrow its wisdom in the implementation of its policies. There are benefits for China in cooperating with the U.S., but there are also many benefits in cooperating with Japan, in the technical fields, for instance. I told them that relations between Japan and China are much stronger than the Americans think. For this reason, it is important for the U.S. to understand Japan's national interest and consult fully with Japan in its foreign policy. I also conveyed to them the significance of including the Social Democratic Party, a party opposed to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, in the ruling coalition. Their reaction to my straight talk is "this is eye-opening." Think of Japan's role in the world as a whole! Kamei: At the end of the day, America's only option (to fund its economic recovery) is to issue government bonds. Right at the time TOKYO 00001518 013 OF 013 of my meeting with Mr. Samore, remarks by Masaharu Nakagawa, finance minister in the Democratic Party of Japan "Next Cabinet," on taking a cautious stance on purchasing U.S. bonds were reported by the media, thus causing the appreciation of the yen and depreciation of the dollar. With regard to this, I will absolutely not allow the new administration to do such a thing. I indicated that we will purchase U.S. bonds constructively from a global standpoint. ZUMWALT