DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 08/13/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 001847 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 08/13/09 INDEX: (1) Aso and Hatoyama debate security policy (Asahi) (2) Party leaders' debate: Prime minister - sales tax will be raised, when growth of 2 percent is attained; Hatoyama - waste can be found in budget funds (Nikkei) (3) U.S. paying attention to DPJ's assertions on Japan-U.S. security alliance in election campaigning (Asahi) (4) Journalist Fumio Matsuo advocates U.S. President's visit to Hiroshima: Achieve historical reconciliation by the two leaders' mutual offering of flowers (Mainichi) (5) Next administration: Relations with U.S. in between ideal and gray area (Nikkei) (6) Shinkansen ("Bullet Train") to be built in Vietnam: Goal of partial opening in 2020 (Nikkei) (7) Danger nowhere near eliminated five years after helicopter crash on Okinawa International University; Arrival of non-Okinawa-based aircraft prominent (Ryukyu Shimpo) (8) TOP HEADLINES (9) EDITORIALS (10) Prime Minister's schedule, August 12 (Nikkei) ARTICLES: (1) Aso and Hatoyama debate security policy ASAHI (Page 5) (Abridged) August 13, 2009 (Following is an exchange between Prime Minister Taro Aso and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama on security policy during their one-on-one debate on August 12.) Aso: The DPJ refused to deliberate the cargo-inspection law targeting North Korea, causing the bill to be scrapped. That only benefitted the DPRK. You also opposed in the Diet Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) support of anti-terrorism measures in Afghanistan and protection of Japanese ships from pirates in waters off Somalia. It is a serious problem that you are unable to make up your mind on the most fundamental national security policies. Hatoyama: Japan should be able to offer other support measures that would even be welcome by President Karzai of Afghanistan. I am not thinking of simply extending the refueling mission. Dealing with pirate ships should primarily be the responsibility of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). (But) we are not opposed to using the SDF for this purpose. Aso: How do you physically dispatch JCG ships to waters off Somalia? Ships have to be rotated. The dispatch of MSDF ships was a very realistic choice. Hatoyama: Foreign policy and security are fundamental matters of the state. Other countries have their own stances; we have no intention to change everything as soon as we come into power. With regard to Somalia, we are not opposed to considering in the future sending SDF ships. Japan should be able to play a role in aiding civilians, nation building, or poverty reduction in Afghanistan. (2) Party leaders' debate: Prime minister - sales tax will be raised, when growth of 2 percent is attained; Hatoyama - waste can be found in budget funds TOKYO 00001847 002 OF 012 NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) August 13, 2009 Prime Minister Taro Aso, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Chairman Yukio Hatoyama on August 12 debated at a Tokyo hotel management of the economy and other issues. Referring to a hike in the sales tax, Aso said, "If growth of 2 percent is attained, the situation will be considered appropriate for implementing a tax hike without delay." Hatoyama opined that for the time being it will be unnecessary to raise the tax to provide funding for the child allowance. "There is wasteful spending," he said. "I can assure you (that we can secure funding for the allowance). The debate was hosted by the National Council to Create a New Japan (21st century ad-hoc council),which consists of academics and business leaders. This was the first one-on-one debate between the two leaders. At the outset of the debate, Aso attempted to score a point, saying, "The greatest difference between the two parties is that we are capable of assuming responsibility." Hatoyama said, "This election is the first one that allows voters to choose their government. I want people to go to polling stations to make that choice." Financial resources for assistance for child-rearing and social security expenditures are two hotly contested issues. Referring to the LDP's manifesto, which advocates achieving 2 percent growth by the remaining half of fiscal 2010, Hatoyama asked Aso whether he will hike the sales tax from fiscal 2011. Hatoyama criticized the LDP: "Anybody can administer affairs of state if they can hike the sales tax while leaving wasteful spending unattended and allowing the nation to wallow in debt." Prime Minister Aso steered clear of mentioning a timeframe for hiking the sales tax, likening the economy to a living creature, although he noted that growth of 2 % will pave the way for a tax hike. Hatoyama also underscored that it would be fully possible to secure funding resources through the elimination of wasteful spending in the budget. "Our policy proposals are not pork-barrel largesse," he said. However, with a measure to deal with social security expenses, which are growing by 1 trillion yen a year, in mind, Hatoyama hinted at the possibility of a tax hike, saying, "I do not think we can manage without hiking the sales tax in the future." Aso stressed differences in the two parties' views on management of the economy and public finance. "The DPJ appears to plan to distribute money without a growth strategy," he said. "The LDP plans to distribute money after expanding the pie." Hatoyama rebutted the remark, noting, "Our basic stance is to expand domestic demand to directly benefit household budgets, and then turn the economy around." Concerning foreign relations and security, Aso pointed out the inconsistency in the DPJ's stance on refueling operations in the Indian Ocean and anti-piracy operations off Somalia. "We cannot relegate Japan's security to a party that lacks consistency in security," he said, criticizing the DPJ. "We are aware that continuity is important," Hatoyama said by way of rebuttal. However, regarding the refueling mission, which is scheduled to end in January next year, he said, "We are not thinking of simply extending TOKYO 00001847 003 OF 012 the mission." (3) U.S. paying attention to DPJ's assertions on Japan-U.S. security alliance in election campaigning ASAHI (Page 3) (Full) August 13, 2009 The U.S. is greatly interested in the outcome of the Aug. 30 general election in Japan. In particular, the U.S. is paying attention to statements by members of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) regarding the Japan-U.S. security alliance. A former senior U.S. official said that if the DPJ assumes power, "Japan and the U.S. should quickly start exchanging views thoroughly." Officially, the U.S. government has indicated a neutral stance, as shown by Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell's remark that "it is possible for Japan and the U.S. to establish a solid relationship no matter what government is inaugurated in Japan." But since the DPJ made a pledge to review the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement in its manifesto (policy platform) for the upcoming House of Representatives election, U.S. officials in charge of security policy have been "carefully watching the election situation," according to a former senior Defense Department official. The U.S. has not reacted strongly to the DPJ's call for an "equal alliance." That is because a set of recommendations released in 2007 by former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye, and others also proposed: "Japan should step up its efforts in necessary areas for its own national defense in order to make the alliance more equal." A former high-ranking U.S. official said: "For an equal relationship, Japan should explain how it will increase its share of the burden.... We hear calls for a retrenchment of bases and a review of the agreed plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station. But we have yet to receive a message regarding how they want to change U.S.-Japan security arrangements." Meanwhile, some officials praise the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) manifesto. Some say that the LDP manifesto reflects discussions conducted on defense issues between Japan and the U.S. in recent years. However, there was no LDP government that the U.S. can regard as a stable partner after the Koizumi administration, which implemented one plan after another, such as the dispatch of Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops to Iraq. The U.S. has certainly harbored a cautious attitude toward the DPJ, but the U.S. has also seen the long-term stagnant political situation under the LDP as undesirable. Interview with Harvard University Professor Nye: Maintain credibility of U.S. deterrence, give more explanation about policies if the DPJ assumes power The Asahi Shimbun interviewed Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye about how the U.S. is viewing the upcoming general election. He served as assistant secretary of defense under the Clinton administration and is well-versed in Japan-U.S. security arrangements. TOKYO 00001847 004 OF 012 -- Do you think there will be some effect on the Japan-U.S. alliance (if the DPJ takes over political power)? Nye: I am not worried about the effect on bilateral relations. It is quite natural for the U.S. government officials concerned to worry that if the plans agreed on between the two countries, including the Futenma relocation plan, begin to be changed, the agreement itself will collapse. But they should not say that a review of such plans should not be discussed. -- What is your view on the DPJ's call for an "equal alliance"? Nye: The two countries are independent, so both can make decisions on their own. In this sense, the two countries are apparently equal. If Japan hoped that the U.S. military would leave Japan, I think our military would immediately pull out of Japan. Even so, Japan does not have the same level of military power as that of the U.S. Meanwhile, Japan has technically taken the lead in such areas as climate change and energy conservation. The equality of the alliance depends on how the U.S.-Japan relationship is viewed. -- The DPJ is moving in the direction of suspending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Nye: In addition to considering the degree of its contribution to the U.S., Japan should also consider what benefits the refueling service has brought to Japan. I think the post-election government will have to consider how (the evaluation of Japan) in U.S. Congress will be affected (if Japan stops the refueling service). -- Do you mean that the DPJ should provide a more sufficient explanation? Nye: During election campaigning, political parties do not discuss their policies satisfactorily. If the DPJ seizes political power, the DPJ will have to explain in detail the objectives behind several of its policies. -- In Japan, concerns about North Korea's threat and China's military buildup have increased. Nye: America's extended nuclear deterrence (to protect its allies with its "nuclear umbrella") is essential for Japan, so it is necessary to make efforts to maintain its credibility. At the same time, I have proposed that favorable relations among the U.S. Japan and China will bring about stability in the region. In this triangle relationship, of course, relations between the U.S. and Japan should be closer than those between the U.S. and China or relations between Japan and China. -- Are you worried about recent growing calls for discussions on Japan's nuclearization? Nye: I do not think there is a strong desire among the Japanese people for the development of nuclear weapons. But it would be a sound idea to discuss the option. If people study this issue deeply, they will surely realize that the nuclear option will not benefit Japan. If Japan goes nuclear, neighboring countries will react negatively, and Japan may have to pay a high price; that is, being exposed to danger. -- Are you worried about the possible launch of a DPJ TOKYO 00001847 005 OF 012 administration? Nye: I have met and held talks with several DPJ leaders. I was impressed by their serious posture. I do not think there will be major changes in U.S.-Japan relations even if the DPJ takes over the reins of government. (4) Journalist Fumio Matsuo advocates U.S. President's visit to Hiroshima: Achieve historical reconciliation by the two leaders' mutual offering of flowers MAINICHI (Page 13) (Excerpts) August 13, 2009 Toshimitsu Kishi There is a growing call in Japan for U.S. President Barack Obama to visit the sites of atomic bombings. What did journalist Fumio Matsuo, author of the book "The Day President Obama Offers Flowers in Hiroshima (Obama Daitoryo ga Hiroshima ni Kenkasuru Hi)" (Shogakukan 101 Shinso) have in mind when he first started to advocate a U.S. presidential visit to Hiroshima four years ago? We interviewed Matsuo, who said: "As a member of the last generation that has experienced the war, I would like to mourn the 3 million Japanese who died in the war and remove the remaining thorn in the history of Japan-U.S. relations." As a member of the generation that has experienced the war Matsuo's first encounter with America was when he was eight years old, a third grader at the Toyama National School (present Shinjuku Ward Toyama Elementary School). Some time past noon on April 18, 1942, he saw some unusual twin-engine planes flying at a low altitude over the schoolyard. This was the Doolittle Raid, the first air raid by the U.S. on the Japanese mainland. On July 19, 1945, shortly before the end of the war, he experienced the indiscriminate firebombing of Fukui City, where he had evacuated. Matsuo joined Kyodo News in 1956 and reported on the United States for over 40 years. In February, 1995, 50 years after the end of World War II, a ceremony was held in the ancient city of Dresden in Germany to pray for the souls of the victims of the indiscriminate firebombing at night by the American and British forces. It was also attended by U.S. and British military officers. According to official figures, 35,000 citizens of Dresden were killed by the bombing February 13 -14, 1945. Matsuo watched a news report of the ceremony while on a business trip to Washington. German Chancellor Ari Herzog implicitly pressed for the U.S. and Britain to admit responsibility for bombing non-combatants while calling for "reconciliation." It was an attempt to remove the thorn in relations between Germany and the U.S. and Britain by accentuating the spirit of praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased on the other side. At that time, a plan to exhibit the Enola Gay, the airplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, at the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute became an issue between Japan and the U.S., and the plan was scaled back because of the opposition of conservatives in the U.S. TOKYO 00001847 006 OF 012 In an essay entitled "Dresden and Tokyo" he contributed to the May 1995 issue of Bungeishunju, Matsuo wrote: "Germany has built a much more stable relationship with the U.S. Compared with that relationship, Japan and the U.S... have not been able to fully heal the incurred wounds 50 years ago." Since then, Matsuo has been appealing for a Japanese version of the "reconciliation of Dresden." Make Hiroshima a symbol In his book published in 2004, "Democracy with a Gun (Ju wo Motsu Minshu Shugi),Matsuo gave the last chapter the title "Will a 'Reconciliation of Dresden' be Possible?" He later suggested that the U.S. president offer flowers in Hiroshima in an article in the September 2005 issue of Chuokoron. The Chuokoron article said that Hiroshima should be regarded as a symbol of mourning for the many civilian casualties in many cities, and the Japanese prime minister should reciprocate by offering flowers at Pearl Harbor. At about the same time, Matsuo also contributed an English-language article with similar contents to the U.S. paper Wall Street Journal. In another article, which appeared in the October 2006 issue of Chuokoron, Matsuo further suggested joint wreath-laying in the battlegrounds of China, South Korea, North Korea, and Russia. The proposal for the U.S. president to visit Hiroshima seemed a bit outrageous four years ago, but the U.S. side responded seriously. A former spokesman of President Ronald Reagan made an international call to express his "complete agreement" with the proposal, and then Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer invited Matsuo to the U.S. Embassy and talked to him for nearly two hours. Matsuo, who visited Dresden again last fall, went to Conventry, England, this spring. The cathedral in Conventry was destroyed by German bombing, but the city has been opposed to retaliation from the beginning. As a result of gathering materials for his book "The Day President Obama Offers Flowers in Hiroshima," Matsuo also suggested offering flowers in Nanjing as a sign of reconciliation with China. "During my trips I have been asked by Germans and Britons why Japan has not become reconciled with China and South Korea, which made me decide to propose offering flowers in Nanjing. I would like people to understand that more than 60 years after end of the war this situation appears absurd to foreigners. As Shigeharu Matsumoto, former Domei News Agency (predecessor of Kyodo News) Shanghai Bureau chief, said, "while the exact figure is unknown, there is no doubt that a massacre occurred." Matsuo's new book also discusses the background to President Obama's speech in Prague last April and compares Japan's and Germany's handling of historical issues. (5) Next administration: Relations with U.S. in between ideal and gray area TOKYO 00001847 007 OF 012 NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) August 13, 2009 On July 27, at the K street in Washington where there are many offices of think tanks and lobbyists, Michael Green, 47, who is now a private think-tank fellow, after having served at the center of the former Bush administration as a presidential assistant, was reading the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto (set of campaign pledges) for the upcoming House of Representatives election, tracing each line with his finger. His finger then stopped at the line that said that a DPJ-led government would move in the direction of reviewing the realignment of U.S. Forces Japan and the future of U.S. bases in Japan. "Aha, this is it," said Green. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official, who that day had rushed over to see him, conveyed to him that the DPJ had somewhat weakened the conventional wording to state that it would "move forward with a review." Green said: "Which is it? If they really review them, it would become a great headache for the bilateral alliance." A senior Foreign Ministry official pointed out: "The question is how to recognize a threat." What situation does the United States envisage? On Aug. 7, an Aegis ship of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet quietly entered Sakatakita Port in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was the first time for an Aegis ship, equipped with sophisticated radar and capable of intercepting more than ten enemy missiles of an enemy at one time, to visit a Yamagata port. Two weeks before, another Aegis ship entered for the first time Yokohama Port. Aegis ships have visited Otaru, Hakata, Aomori and Osaka-minami ports this year. Although the purpose of visiting Japanese ports by Aegis ships is to strengthen friendship ties, their calling on local ports could lead to the actual result of using those local ports. If an emergency occurs on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. warships come to help from Hawaii and Guam because those at Yokosuka and Sasebo ports are not enough. These two Japanese ports alone will be incapable to let many ships lay at anchor. Private Japanese ports on the Sea of Japan side are good candidate ports. On Aug. 1, a day when there was not a cloud in the sky, the USS Curtis Wilbur was opened to the public at Yokosuka Port. A 26-year-old officer responsible for missiles said: "We exercise every day until we're exhausted." Why? He answered: "This is because Russia, China, and North Korea are located in this region. Although there is no war in the region, once one break out, developments will be quicker than expected." The DPJ pledges to build an equal Japan-U.S. relationship and review USFJ realignment and U.S. bases in Japan. The U.S. side feels the signs of a "change" from DPJ lawmakers. In June, over the relocation of the U.S. Marines' Air Station Futenma within Okinawa, which was agreed in 2006 by the Japanese and U.S. governments, U.S. Consul General Kevin Maher, 54, and DPJ Deputy Secretary General Akihisa Nagashima, 47, failed to come to terms. Maher asserted: "The agreement by the two governments should be kept to the end." TOKYO 00001847 008 OF 012 Nagashima said: "We should not stick to an agreement reached a long time ago. If we take the reins of government, we will make a new proposal. It will be better to discuss that proposal." In July, Shu Watanabe, 47, chief deputy secretary general, informed the U.S. administration of the DPJ's policy of discontinuing Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The Obama administrations' Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Schiffer, 43, responded by making this candid remark: "When you carry out diplomacy, if you cut one policy, you should add another one and push forward with it." At noon on July 25 at a sushi restaurant in Ginza, former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda read the DPJ's policy index and threw it on the table. He asked, "What is an equal Japan-U.S. relationship?" He was remembering his days of having difficulties in carrying out U.S. policy. Fukuda believes that if Japan does not shoot down a missile heading overhead toward the United States, the Japan-U.S. alliance will collapse. If the Diet decides on when Japan would intercept missiles, the U.S. Congress will have something to say about it. If an emergency occurs, a government takes action on its own decision. Fukuda views that a government should leave a gray area in dealing with Japan-U.S. relations. Whether a "gray area" is a lubricant for the alliance or obstacle for an equal relationship? Will the next government be troubled with the two choices? (6) Shinkansen ("Bullet Train") to be built in Vietnam: Goal of partial opening in 2020 NIKKEI (Top Play) (Abridged slightly) August 13, 2009 Yoichi Iwamoto, Hanoi Giving an interview to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nguyen Huu Bang, the chief of state-owned Vietnam Railways Corp.(VRC),revealed a plan to introduce Japan's Shikansen ("bullet train") system in building a north-south high-speed railway system (roughly 1,560 kilometer) connecting Hanoi, the capital in northern Vietnam, and the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The government plans to start out by building three sections, including one between Da Nang and Hue in the midland area. It aims to start running high-speed trains in 2020. The south-north high-speed railway system could become a key infrastructure for the Industrial Aorta Initiative, a wide-area development program for East Asia, which Japan is promoting. The north-south high-speed railway system is one of the three major national projects of Vietnam. The project cost totals 56 billion dollars or approximately 5.36 trillion yen. The governments of the two countries are now in the process of ascertaining Japan's cooperation for the project. Bang said, "The government has basically approved the introduction of Japans' Bullet Train technology." The final decision will be made, once Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved. Funds will be procured from official development assistance by Japan, the Asia Development Bank and the World Bank. VRC has started nurturing personnel with the introduction of the bullet train technology in mind, by dispatching engineers to JR Tokai. TOKYO 00001847 009 OF 012 Railway building is showing signs of expanding worldwide as a means to buoy up the economy and to curb global warming gases. In the U.S., the Obama administration announced a plan to invest 13 billion dollars for the building of a high-speed railway system. China is also eyeing the building of railway systems as one showcase item in constructing its infrastructure. The railway-building market is thus expanding. Faced with a sluggish domestic demand, Japan's railway-related industries are hoping that Vietnam will grow into a new market. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is endeavoring to increase the number of countries that introduce railway systems with the railway bureau international affairs office noting that an expanding market will lead to the maintaining the bullet train technology. Brazil and India also looking into introducing the bullet train system. Vietnam appears to intend to involve Japan in its national project so as to reduce the profitability risk of the project. That is presumably the reason that it will partially open the railway system first. In the meantime, Japan must speed up efforts to deal with high-speed railway plans of Brazil and the U.S, which will likely be commercialized before long. Amid competition with French and South Korea companies becoming fierce, private companies are pressed to select projects to take part. (7) Danger nowhere near eliminated five years after helicopter crash on Okinawa International University; Arrival of non-Okinawa-based aircraft prominent RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 3) (Full) August 12, 2009 Tomoya Kohatsu Five years ago, a U.S. military helicopter crashed on the campus of Okinawa International University. The government says it has taken safety measures, including a review of the flight routes, since then but helicopters still fly over residential areas, and the measures taken so far are hardly adequate for removing the danger. Meanwhile, the end of 2009 marks the deadline for Governor Hirokazu Nakaima to implement his pledge to realize a "state of closure" at the Futenma base within three years, yet we have not seen any concrete steps being taken. We interviewed Yoshiyuki Uehara, director of the Governor's Executive Office, and Ro Manabe, head of Okinawa Defense Bureau, on the survey of flight routes and other steps to verify the current situation, as well as measures to eliminate danger and summarized the issues and actions being taken. According to surveys by Ginowan City, the occurrence of noise in the vicinity of Futenma Air Station had been on the decline from 2004 due to the dispatch of aircraft on this base to Iraq and participation in exercises overseas. However, from FY08, 21,443 instances of noise were recorded in the Aragusuku district and 20,588 in the Kamiojana district. There have been over 20,000 instances of noise in areas near the runways, and aircraft flying over the urban areas still threaten the citizens' daily lives. On the contrary, the effects of noise have spread to nearby communities such as Nakagusuku-son as a result of the review of flight routes after the crash. TOKYO 00001847 010 OF 012 Meanwhile, P-3C reconnaissance planes and HH-60 helicopters based in Kadena Air Base, as well as FA-18 fighters from the U.S. marine base in Iwakuni have been conducting touch-and-go and gyration exercises on Futenma frequently, showing that Futenma clearly plays a support role for Kadena. The FA-18s in particular produce a deafening roar of over 100 decibels at takeoff and landing. Local citizens and officials claim that this does not contribute at all to lightening the burden imposed by the bases on Okinawa. Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha pointed out that: "They are making maximum use of the base by bringing the clear zones (areas where land use is prohibited) out of the base and ignoring safety requirements and building a long runway of 2,800 meters. Futenma has been performing a supplementary or substitute role for Kadena for some time now." He expressed displeasure that "when Futenma is empty (due to the dispatch of its aircraft elsewhere),they bring in the airplanes, ignoring our opposition." (8) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Party leaders' debate heats up over fiscal resources: Aso - "Scattering about pork barrel largesse is irresponsible"; Hatoyama - "We will secure funds by revising budgets that have already been compiled" Mainichi: Prime Minister Aso, DPJ President Hatoyama heatedly debate financial resources for policy measures Yomiuri: Aso, Hatoyama fiercely debate sales tax: Aso - "We will raise the rate once 2 percent growth is attained"; Hatoyama -- "There will be no need for a hike during the next four years" Nikkei: Shikansen ("Bullet Train") to be built in Vietnam: Goal of partial opening in 2020 Sankei: In the only two-man debate Prime Minister Aso stresses accomplishments and responsibility, DPJ President Hatoyama indicates coalition with Social Democratic Party and People's New Party Tokyo Shimbun: Party heads' debate: Prime minister hints at raising sales tax in fiscal 2011, DPJ President Hatoyama refers to future hike Akahata: Japanese Communist Party to work for non-nuclear Japan: Elimination of nuclear arms to become a major point of contention (9) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) 2009 general election: Debate between Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President Hatoyama; Discuss major issues (2) Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO): Autonomy will protect freedom of broadcasting TOKYO 00001847 011 OF 012 Mainichi: (1) 2009 general election: Party leaders' talks between Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President Hatoyama bring only frustration (2) Court ruling against Aung San Suu Kyi: Prevent military junta in Burma (Myanmar) from creating another North Korea Yomiuri: (1) Party heads talks: Deepen discussion on financial resources and security (2) Cyber attack a serious threat to Internet-oriented society Nikkei: (1) 2009 Lower House election: Leaders should talk about their future visions for the nation (2) Speed up efforts to create libraries for Internet age Sankei: (1) Party heads talks: We want to know about the leaders' images of the nation (2) Court ruling on Aung San Suu Kyi: Japan should make decision to toughen sanctions against Burma Tokyo Shimbun: (1) 2009 Lower House election: Party head talks lacked depth (2) Aung San Suu Kyi: "Freedom" is minimum requirement Akahata: (1) Economic stabilization: Focus should be on people's livelihoods (10) Prime Minister's schedule, August 12 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 13, 2009 10:22 Delivered a stump speech in front of Cainz Home Isesaki, a home-improvement retailer, in Gunma Prefecture. 11:50 Visited a tornado-devastated area in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, accompanied by Tatebayashi Mayor Yasuraoka. 12:10 Delivered a stump speech in front of the Tatebayashi City Cultural Center. 12:43 Had lunch at a noodle restaurant with Mayor Yasuraoka and others. 14:17 Arrived at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei). 15:50 Met Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura. 16:29 Attended a party-head debate, hosted by the 21st Century Ad Hoc Council, at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo. 18:10 Arrived at the Kantei. TOKYO 00001847 012 OF 012 18:58 Dined with his secretaries at a sushi restaurant in Nagata-cho. 21:29 Returned to his official residential quarters. ZUMWALT