JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/21/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001931 SIPDIS DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA; WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/21/09 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) U.S.-Japan relations: 4) Coordination for summit meeting between President Obama and Japan's prime minister on Sept. 23 at the United Nations General Assembly (Mainichi) 5) Ambassador Roos arrives early in Japan to set the stage for post-Lower House election bilateral diplomacy (Nikkei) 6) Roos meets with Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka (Sankei) 7) Two aides picked for Ambassador Roos (Okinawa Times) 8)Afghan presidential election: Unclear what Japan's new administration intends to do to help Afghan reconstruction (Asahi) Opinion polls: 9) Nikkei poll: Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) heading for a landslide victory of over 300 seats in the upcoming Lower House election (Nikkei) 7 10) Yomiuri poll also gives DPJ a 300 seat victory, with 89% of the electorate expressing interest in the upcoming election (Yomiuri) 8 11) Asahi poll: With 54% of the electorate "greatly interested" in the upcoming election, the same level as in the 2005 election, turnout rate likely to be high (Asahi) 8 Election campaign: 12) Small parties worried that they will be ignored if the DPJ wins a solid majority in the upcoming Lower House election (Yomiuri) 13) Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura of the LDP calls the DPJ's politics "socialism" (Mainichi) 14) DPJ's Maehara in election campaign speech faults the LDP for being too close to America, says his party will balance ties (Mainichi) 15) Japanese Communist Party Chairman Shii in speech tells Japan to "learn from the U.S." (Mainichi) 16) Finance Minister Yosano denies hospitalization rumor (Sankei) 17)Japan Coast Guard decides to include 3.2 billion yen in next fiscal budget request for large-scale patrol vessels needed for overseas dispatch (Tokyo Shimbun) 18)Government plans to invest in overseas agro-businesses as a means of guaranteeing food security (Yomiuri) Ariticles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry to decide how to allocate new-flu vaccine Mainichi: Pregnant women, babies, medical staff to be given priority for new-flu vaccine Yomiuri: DPJ posed to win over 300 seats TOKYO 00001931 002 OF 011 Nikkei: DPJ posed to take more than 300 seats in landslide victory Sankei: University examination center: Breakthrough on "audio questions" Tokyo Shimbun: Poll by labor ministry: Workers aged 60 or older account for 10% of entire workers in 2008 Akahata: JCP boosts presence as constructive opposition party 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) New-type of flu: Prepare for pandemic (2) 2009 general election: Political parties should persuade voters to take "pain" caused by anti-global warming measures Mainichi: (1) Inter-city baseball tournaments: Hardfought contests expected (2) Law preventing election activities considered? Yomiuri: (1) Political parties must grapple with declining birthrate (2) Rocky path lies ahead for Hitachi Nikkei: (1) 2009 general election: Political parties must compete on global warming issue (2) Collapse of Tomei Expressway a warning for disaster damage prevention Sankei: (1) Vision for maintaining Japan-U.S. alliance should be presented (2) Strategy of prompting autonomous growth urged Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Small GDP increase: Future of Japanese economy not optimistic (2) Disaster-resistant highways must be built Akahata: (1) Independent diplomacy is linchpin of peace 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, August 20 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) August 21, 2009 09:07 Departed from Haneda Airport on ANA 3771. 10:29 Arrived at Kagoshima Airport. 10:54 Delivered a stump speech in front of Kirishima City Hall. TOKYO 00001931 003 OF 011 12:08 Delivered a stump speech in front of a supermarket in Kagoshima City. 12:54 Dined with his secretaries and others at a Japanese restaurant. 13:29 Delivered a stump speech in front of JR Kagoshima Central Station. 14:14 Departed from the station on Tsubame 50. 14:26 Arrived at JR Sendai Station. Delivered a stump speech in front the station. 15:07 Departed from the station on Tsubame 14. 15:31 Arrived at JR Yatsushiro Station. 15:35 Departed from the station on Tsubame 14. 15:54 Arrived at JR Kumamoto Station. 16:10 Departed from the station on Ariake 24. 16:29 Arrived at JR Tamana Station. 16:36 Delivered a stump speech at a park in Tamana City, Kumamoto. 17:44 Delivered a stump speech at an exhibition hall in Mashiki Town in Kumamoto. 19:06 Departed from Kumamoto Airport on JAL 1816. 20:25 Arrived at Haneda Airport. 21:01 Arrived at his official residence. U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS 4) Coordination underway for Japan-U.S. summit meeting in U.S., focusing on Sept. 23 MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) August 21, 2009 The governments of Japan and the U.S. have begun coordinating a summit meeting between the prime minister and the U.S. President for late September, focusing on Sept. 23. A high-level event on climate TOKYO 00001931 004 OF 011 change is set for Sept. 22 in New York, and leaders will come to give speeches on Sept. 24 at the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). If the current coalition is unseated in the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election, it will be the first summit meeting with the U.S. under a Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government. Prime Minister Taro Aso took part in the UN assembly last year. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has indicated his eagerness to attend UNGA if he becomes the premier. On the assumption of Hatoyama visiting the U.S., the two governments are pushing ahead with arrangements. Arrangements are being made for President Barack Obama to visit Japan before or after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting in Singapore on Nov. 14-15. But the two governments have judged it necessary for their leaders to meet before Obama's first visit to Japan. 5) Ambassador Roos arrives early to assume duties, anticipating post-election bilateral diplomacy NIKKEI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged) August 21, 2009 U.S. diplomacy toward Japan was launched on Aug. 20 in anticipation of the political situation after the House of Representatives election. Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) soon after presenting his credentials in order to convey the Obama administration's stance of attaching importance to Japan. With a change of administration increasingly becoming a real possibility in Japan, coordination between the two countries on such tough issues as U.S. military bases and the war on terror undoubtedly will be a challenge. The new Japanese administration will be under pressure to respond quickly. Receiving a courtesy call from Roos, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka was all smiles. He extended the Japanese government's welcome repeatedly and told the Ambassador: "This is the first time (that an ambassador) has presented his credentials to the Emperor only one day after arriving." Unusual speed Normally, the U.S. ambassador to Japan would present his credentials two or three days after arriving in Japan, at the earliest. It is unusual to do so after only one day. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura, who was present at Roos's presentation of his credentials at the Imperial Palace, told him, "President Obama has sent the person he trusts the most." Kawamura wanted to convey Japan's sense of expectation immediately to Roos, who is close to President Obama, in order to promote smooth relations with the U.S. administration. However, it has been the U.S. side that has taken proactive steps. It is unusual for an American ambassador to arrive in Japan less than two weeks after being confirmed by the Senate. A senior MOFA official explained, "This is because the Ambassador wants to begin to perform his duties as soon as possible in anticipation of the situation after the election." The presentation of credentials on August 20 was a result of coordination efforts by MOFA with the Imperial Household Agency on scheduling at the United States' request. TOKYO 00001931 005 OF 011 Possibility of a Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration taken into account The new ambassador is scheduled to make a courtesy call on Prime Minister Taro Aso on August 25, but a source connected to Japan-U.S. relations noted, "The key meeting will be the one with DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama." The foreign policy of a DPJ administration is an unknown factor for the U.S., and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has been inquiring discreetly with the DPJ about a meeting between Roos and Hatoyama at an early date. While the DPJ has begun to grope for a more pragmatic foreign policy line lately, Washington remains concerned about what that policy will be after the Lower House election. It is obviously eager to lay the groundwork as quickly as possible. However, the DPJ wants to postpone the meeting between Hatoyama and Roos until a certain time after the election. This is because if differences emerge between them at this point, there will be growing concerns about bilateral relations in the future. Regardless of whether there will be a change of administration, pending issues between Japan and the U.S. will come to a head in September. The refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and nuclear deterrence in light of the situation on the Korean peninsula may be included in the agenda of the Japan-U.S. summit expected to take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the G-20 financial summit in late September. Coordination with the local authorities on Futenma relocation in Okinawa will also enter the final phase. Japan-U.S. diplomacy will be put to the test immediately. Roos told Yabunaka at their meeting, "President Obama told me clearly that I will have a major role to play," conveying his great enthusiasm for diplomacy with Japan. 6) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos meets Vice Foreign Minister Yabunaka SANKEI (Page 5) (Full) August 21, 2009 New U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos met Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka at the Foreign Ministry yesterday morning, a day after his arrival in Japan. Roos said: "Before leaving for Japan, I met President Barack Obama, and we confirmed the importance of strengthening Japan-U.S. relations." Taking up Roos's schedule of being received by Emperor Akihito to present his credentials within 24 hours of his arrival, Yabunaka said: "This shows how close our relations are." The new ambassador began his official duties after he presented his credential to the Emperor. 7) New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos to appoint former Department of Defense official, State Department official as assistants OKINAWA TIMES (Page 21) (Full) August 21, 2009 It was learned on August 20 that the new U.S. ambassador to Japan, John Roos, who has just arrived will appoint a former Department of TOKYO 00001931 006 OF 011 Defense Japan desk chief and another official as his assistants. These appointees are expected to advice the Ambassador, who is a lawyer specializing in corporate M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and who has no experience at all in military affairs and security. The above was revealed by a source on Japan-U.S. relations. The appointees for the ambassador's assistants are Suzanne Basalla, former Department of Defense senior country director for Japan, and Department of State official Matt Ford. Basalla formerly served in the U.S. Navy and is an expert on Japan who has studied at the Keio University. She was involved with U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) realignment, setting common strategic goals to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the discussions on reviewing the roles and duties of the Self-Defense Forces and the USFJ, among other things. 8) Presidential election takes place in tense Afghanistan ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 21, 2009 In Afghanistan, a presidential election was carried out on Aug. 20 and vote-counting started nationwide. The Aug. 20 poll, the second in the country since the Taliban regime collapsed in 2001, is a critical barometer for forecasting Afghanistan's future. Polling stations were not even set up in the south where terrorist attacks occurred and the Taliban's grip is strong. The legitimacy of the new administration to be launched after the election might be called into question. The United States and Japan, which have been supporting Afghanistan, will likely find it difficult to deal with the situation. A challenge for Japan's new administration Kei Ukai, Nao Fujina The Japanese government is expecting that the Aug. 20 election will result in a strong and highly popular administration in Afghanistan. The Japanese special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who visited Kabul in late July, told major candidates, such as Hamid Karzai, that it is important to carry out the presidential election in a fair manner and establish a legitimate government as a result. This reflects the Foreign Ministry's view of the current situation in Afghanistan that the dividend on its investment has been small. Japan has provided 1.79 billion dollars (169.1 billion yen) in aid to Afghanistan since 2001 - the third largest after the United States and Britain. Corruption is rampant in Afghanistan and if the security situation deteriorates further, Japan's aid might be for naught. The new Japanese administration to be established after the Aug. 30 election will have to deal with the current situation facing the new Afghan administration. With the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) marching toward taking the reins of government, how the new Japanese administration will handle the question of support for Afghanistan as a symbol of the war on terrorism is attracting much attention. One of the focuses is the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has TOKYO 00001931 007 OF 011 indicated that he is not considering simply extending the mission beyond the law's expiry next January. At the same time, in consideration of Japan's relationship with Untied States, he has underlined the need to provide assistance that would be please the Afghan people. But realizing a counterproposal is not easy. The party is looking for ways to hold an international conference on peace in Afghanistan under a DPJ administration. OPINION POLLS 9) Poll: DPJ likely to win overwhelming victory NIKKEI (Top play) (Abridged) August 21, 2009 Ahead of the 45th general election set to be held Aug. 30 for the House of Representatives, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun conducted a nationwide public opinion survey to probe the situation. The Diet's lower chamber has a total of 480 seats. The Democratic Party of Japan has now locked on a majority (241 seats) and is likely to garner more than 300 seats. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democratic Party is slightly under 100 seats and is likely to lose more than half of its pre-election 300 seats. Chances are strong that the DPJ will take the reins of government with its overwhelming victory. The survey targeted a total of about 210,000 voters across the nation, and valid answers were obtained from about 110,000 voters. Face-to-face interviews were also held with voters to find out public trends. However, 24% in 300 single-seat constituencies and 17% in proportional representation blocs for 180 seats remain undecided. Given this fact, there are still fluid factors. The DPJ is now almost certain to garner nearly 200 seats in single-seat constituencies. Furthermore, the DPJ is likely to gain 40 more seats or so. The DPJ is leading not only in big cities but also in rural districts. For proportional representation, the DPJ is certain to get 90 seats. The DPJ has almost secured a total of about 290 seats in single-seat constituencies and in proportional representation blocs. The LDP is shaky. In single-seat constituencies, the LDP is certain to garner slightly under 30 seats and is likely to get a little over 20 seats. In nearly 40 single-seat districts, the LDP could gain additional seats but is facing an uphill battle against the DPJ. For proportional representation, the LDP is now certain to garner more than 40 seats but has yet to reach 50 seats. On the whole, the LDP is certain to garner about 70 seats. Even when including seats that the LDP is likely to win, the total number will be slightly under ¶100. Even if the LDP wins all uphill battles, its total holding will remain on the 130 range. 10) Poll: DPJ likely to garner over 300 seats YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) August 21, 2009 Ahead of the 45th general election set to be held Aug. 30 for the House of Representatives, the Yomiuri Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey over a period of three days from Aug. 18 through Aug. 20 to probe the situation in the initial phase of campaign battles. TOKYO 00001931 008 OF 011 For the survey, a total of 110,000 persons were chosen from among the nation's voting population. The Democratic Party of Japan is overwhelming the Liberal Democratic Party both in single-seat constituencies and in proportional representation blocs. The DPJ is now certain to secure a majority of the seats and is even likely to garner more than 300 seats. The LDP is falling behind the DPJ not only in urban districts but also in traditionally conservative rural districts. The LDP is expected to sustain a sharp decrease in its pre-election holding of 300 seats. The New Komeito is facing an uphill battle while being unable to lock on its pre-election holding of seats. Meanwhile, undecided voters still account for 20% or so both in single-seat constituencies and in proportional representation blocs. The situation could change toward the final stages. 89% interested in election In the survey, a total of 89% answered that they were interested in the upcoming general election for the Diet's lower chamber, broken down into 59% saying they are "very interested" and 30% saying they are "somewhat interested." The figure is an all-time high under the current single-seat constituency and proportional representation system that was introduced in 1996. Those "interested" in the general election accounted for 60% in ¶1996. However, their proportion increased to 71% in 2000 and to 76% in 2003. The last general election was held in 2005, and the focus of that election was on the question of whether to privatize state-run postal services. At that time, the figure jumped to 86%. This time, the figure is even higher, clearly indicating that the upcoming general election is drawing extremely high public attention. 11) Poll: 54% "very interested" in general election ASAHI (Page 1) (Abridged) August 21, 2009 Ahead of Aug. 30's general election for the House of Representatives, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a public opinion survey on Aug. 18-19 along with a survey that probed the situation in the initial stages of campaign battles. In the survey, 54% of respondents answered that they were "very interested" in the upcoming election. This figure is on a par with the one that was shown in a survey conducted when the House of Representatives was dissolved over the privatization of state-run postal services and the public showed high interest in that election. The figure shown this time can be taken as reflecting the public's high interest. "Somewhat interested" accounted for 37% (38% in the 2005 survey), and "not interested" at 9% (7% in the 2005 survey). In the survey, respondents were asked which political party they would vote for in their proportional representation blocs. Among those "very interested" in the upcoming general election, 24% of those who answered this question chose the Liberal Democratic Party, while 57% of them opted for the Democratic Party of Japan. In the 2005 survey, 47% chose the LDP, with 33% preferring the DPJ. In the meantime, respondents were also asked if they thought Japan's politics would "move in a good direction" if there is a change of government. To this question, 24% answered "yes," with 56% saying it would "remain unchanged" and 8% saying it would "move in a bad TOKYO 00001931 009 OF 011 direction." Even among those who said they would vote for the DPJ in their proportional representation blocs, "good direction" accounted for 41%, with "remain unchanged" at 46%. ELECTION CAMPAIGN 12) New Komeito, small opposition parties wary about DPJ's sweeping the board in upcoming general election YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts) August 21, 2009 A senior New Komeito member yesterday expressed a sense of alarm, saying: "While all eyes are now being focused on which the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) voters will choose the party that they feel should hold the political helm, the New Komeito is gradually being positioned as one of other parties. So, we will make our policy appeal to voters in public debates and other occasions." Although the New Komeito aims to retain its Lower House seats by intense cooperation with the LDP, it has been suffering an adverse wind. It plans to boost its campaigning in the final stage, counting on wins similar to those in the July Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. Small opposition parties are worried that attention is being focused on only the DPJ taking over the reins of government. While giving priority to retaining its proportional representation seats, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) intends to highlight differences between it and the DPJ. A senior People's New Party member said: "I see a favorable political wind blowing only for the DPJ." The likelihood of a DPJ victory is not preventing SDP and PNP candidates, whom the DPJ are supporting, from giving up fielding its own candidates in certain districts. The DPJ plans to form a coalition government in cooperation of the SDP and PNP regardless of how many seats it wins. This is because it does not hold a single-party majority in the House of Councillors. "If the DPJ wins big, it will not give much consideration to voices of the SDP and PNP" (senior member). 13) Ex-Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura says DPJ is socialist MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) August 21, 2009 Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura's remarks at a meeting in Aoba Ward, Sendai City: "I think it (the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)) is essentially a socialist political party. The party's members obey everything the Japan Teachers' Union says and will spend money recklessly they has the money. They do not think about investing for the future. Japan will sink if we hand the administration over to such an irresponsible party." 14) DPJ Vice President Maehara calls for assertiveness in dealing with U.S. TOKYO 00001931 010 OF 011 MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) August 21, 2009 Remarks by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Vice President Seiji Maehara during a stump speech in Yokohama City: "Prime Minister Taro Aso says that the DPJ's foreign and security policy is incoherent, but the foreign policy of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) consists only of soliciting America's wishes. The DPJ will get along with the United States and will establish policies that enable Japan to assert itself firmly for its national interests when warranted." 15) JCP Chairman Shii calls for learning from the U.S. MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full) August 21, 2009 Remarks by Chairman Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) during a stump speech in Sapporo City: "The Obama administration has increased taxes on big companies and rich people by 120 trillion yen. It is using this money to fund tax cuts for the common folks and to rebuild the health insurance system. Isn't that impressive? We should also learn from the good things that America does." 16) Yosano denies rumor that he is hospitalized SANKEI (Page 20) (Excerpts) August 21, 2009 Kaoru Yosano, a candidate on the Liberal Democratic Party's ticket running for the Tokyo No. 1 district in the House of Representatives election, felt lightheaded on Aug. 18 when the official campaign for the Aug. 30 general election kicked off. On Aug. 20, Yosana held an emergency press conference at his election office in Yotsuya, Shinjuku Ward, in order to quash the rumor that he had been hospitalized. He said that he had been put on an IV at a hospital after the ceremony at the start of the official campaigning that day. He then stressed that he is giving stumping speeches since then. Yosano held the press meeting because his office was receiving many inquiries about the rumor about his hospitalization. 17) JCG to request 32 billion yen for building large patrol vessel TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Abridged) August 21, 2009 The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) decided has decided to include 32 billion yen for the construction of a large ocean-going patrol vessel in its fiscal 2010 budgetary request to be submitted to the Finance Ministry on Aug. 31. The JCG gave up dispatching its patrol boat Shikishima to waters off Somalia on an antipiracy mission, saying the vessel is unfit for long-term activities. As a result, Self-Defense Force vessels have been dispatched. The construction of a large ocean-going vessel will enable the JCG to carry out long-term activities. The Shikishima (6,500 ton, 150 meters) is equipped with 35-mm and 20-mm multiple-launch systems and carries two high-speed boats and two helicopters. The vessel is designed to allow its crew to continue their operations even if it is attacked with rockets by TOKYO 00001931 011 OF 011 pirates. It was commissioned in 1992 for escorting vessels carrying plutonium. The vessel the JCP is going to request will be on the Shikishima-class, which is one of the largest in the world. The vessel will be constructed in four years. The JCG originally had not planned to build a Shikishima-class vessel because of the need to give high priority to the question of its old vessels. But the JCG has shifted its policy direction after its passive stance of not requesting an extra budget for building an ocean-going patrol vessel fit for an antipiracy mission had been grilled at the Diet. The JCG presented the following factors for the need to building the new vessel: (1) an increase in escorts of vessels carrying MOX, or plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel, that started in May this year; (2) expanded oceanic areas requiring security due to greater continental shelves with abundant marine resources; and (3) increasing and improving security in remote territorial waters, such as the Senkaku and Okinotori islands. 18) Government's guidelines on investment in overseas agriculture for food security seeks "transparency in contracts" YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 21, 2009 The government conference on August 20 on promotion of investment in overseas agriculture released guidelines for overseas investment for promoting food security. The guidelines set action principles for investment by private-sector firms in overseas agriculture. Besides the need for investors to take into consideration the food situation in the recipient countries and sustainable agricultural production, the guidelines seek (1) transparency in contracts, (2) compliance with the law, and (3) consideration for residents and the environment. There is growing criticism of investments as "plundering of farmland" mainly in developing countries. With such criticism in mind, at the international conference on investment in agriculture to be held in the U.S. in September the government will call on the global community to formulate similar action principles. The guidelines incorporate promotion of appropriate investment in agriculture in the belief this contributes to enhancing food security. The government will set up a comprehensive support office in the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The guidelines also suggest that the government should assist companies by using public financial institutions, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC),and its official development assistance (ODA) program. ROOS