JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 1/30/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000226 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 1/30/09 Index: 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei) U.S.-Japan relations: 4) Impatient at having had to wait, Prime Minister Aso pushing for an early meeting with President Obama (Tokyo Shimbun) 5) Aso carried out his telephone conversation with Obama completely in English (Yomiuri) Anti-piracy measures: 6) Answering question in Diet, Prime Minister Aso explains why Japan Coast Guard (JCG) unable to carry out anti-piracy mission in distant ocean (Asahi) 7) Maritime Self-Defense Force and JCG to carry out joint training prior to dispatch to waters off Somalia for anti-piracy mission (Yomiuri) 8) Vice Defense Minister Masuda tells press that new anti-piracy law will contain provision easing weapons-use restrictions (Tokyo Shimbun) 9) Defense Ministry fears that the new anti-piracy law will shelve provision easing weapons-use restrictions (Asahi) 10) Defense Ministry sending fact-finding team to countries neighboring Somalia to set stage for anti-piracy mission (Tokyo Shimbun) Korean Peninsula affairs: 11) Japan, U.S., and South Korea to work closely together under the six-party formula (Mainichi) 12) Japanese, South Korean delegates to Six-Party Talks agree to continue efforts toward North Korea (Yomiuri) 13) Japan seeking consultations with Russia on the embarkation card issue that is halting visits and aid to the northern islands (Nikkei) 14) Foreign Ministry announces that Japan's ODA disbursements have slipped from 3rd to 5th place among world donors (Mainichi) Diet interpellations: 15) Text of Prime Minister Aso's answers to Diet questions on anti-piracy mission, abduction issue, and U.S.-Japan relations (Yomiuri) 16) Diet interpellations have turned into a "propaganda war" between the ruling and opposition camps (Sankei) 17) Former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, a vocal critic of the Aso administration, has her chance to ask stinging questions during interpellations (Nikkei) 18) Aso finally makes a clear statement of not allowing watari or post-retirement job-hopping, but he is not prepared to legally ban the practice (Asahi) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: Mainichi: Yomiuri: Sankei: Japan Post freezes plan to sell "Kampo" inns Nikkei: TOKYO 00000226 002 OF 011 NEC, Toshiba in talks to integrate chip-manufacturing operations Tokyo Shimbun: Hospitals in Itabashi ward to offer emergency child-care services for first time in country Akahata: Longest economic expansion in post-war decades: Significant increase in profits and dividend payment, but salaries decreased 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: (1) Diet questioning: Is DPJ serious about taking power? (2) Visa-free visit program among Japanese and Russian residents living in Northern Territories: Do not spoil long standing effort Mainichi: (1) Interpellations: DPJ head Ozawa should not avoid verbal confrontation (2) Reform of agricultural administration with enthusiasm to make agriculture growth industry needed Yomiuri: (1) Diet questioning: Steady debate on sales tax urged (2) Outlook by IMF: Global recession becoming increasingly serious Nikkei: (1) Clarify in Diet debate campaign issues for next Lower House election (2) Decision to freeze plan to sell "Kampo" inns puzzling Sankei: (1) Suspension of humanitarian assistance to Russia: Russia should abide by its pledge (2) One year since poisoned gyoza dumpling incident: China should release truth promptly Tokyo Shimbun: (1) Shed light on nontransparent sale of "Kampo" inns (2) Poisoned gyoza dumpling incident: Remove obstacle lying between Japan and China Akahata: (1) Japan-U.S. alliance: Pressing need to emerge from subordinate relation 3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei) Prime Minister's schedule, January 29 NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 07:41 Met at his official residence with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto, and Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi. 08:10 Talked on the phone with U.S. President Obama, with Kawamura and others present TOKYO 00000226 003 OF 011 09:27 Met Matsumoto at the Kantei. 10:24 Met Deputy Foreign Minister Otabe, Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Bessho, and Director General for Global Issues Sugiyama. 13:02 Attended a Lower House plenary session. 16:25 Met at the Kantei with the chairperson and other members of the national women's liaison council. Followed by Cabinet Intelligence Director Mitani, Defense Ministry's Defense Policy Bureau Director General Takamizawa, and Defense intelligence Headquarters Chief Shimohira. Mitani stayed behind. 17:05 Attended a meeting of the ambassadors to Latin American countries. Later, attended a meeting of the overseas economic cooperation conference. METI Minister Nikai stayed behind. Followed by Kawamura. 18:19 Attended a meeting of the consumer administration promotion council. 19:00 Met Kawamura. 19:30 Returned to his official residence. 4) Fearing Obama might put off meeting with Japan until later on, impatient Aso calls for early summit in phone conversation TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 Prime Minister Taro Aso is frantically seeking an early summit meeting with President Barack Obama. Behind his eagerness for meeting soon with the President is an expectation of his being able to tap into the "Obama boom" to give a boost to his administration. He also fears that the Obama administration might put off a meeting with Japan until after those with other major countries. Aso held his first telephone conversation with Obama yesterday. Based on prior coordination between the two governments, the two leaders planned to confirm the need for their countries to closely cooperate in dealing with the ongoing global economic crisis and to strengthen the bilateral alliance first and then Aso planned to call for bilateral talks. But Aso, ignoring this arrangement, called for a Japan-U.S. summit at the very outset of the conference. He seems to have been obsessed with winning a commitment from Obama to bring about an early meeting. Tokyo is working on Washington to arrange a visit to the U.S. by the prime minister before the financial summit to be held in London on April 2. But it will not be easy to set up such a meeting with the TOKYO 00000226 004 OF 011 busy president. Focusing on Obama's high popularity, many Japanese government officials are hopeful of arranging an early Japan-U.S. summit. A government source said: "If the prime minister shakes hands with President Obama, it would be good publicity for the Aso government." Aso's impatience also reflects his inability to figure out Obama's diplomatic approach. The Clinton administration of the Democratic Party placed emphasis on China, and Japan had the bitter experience of "Japan passing." Obama started teleconferences with the leaders of Middle Eastern and European countries. His call to Japan came after more than a dozen calls. A Japanese government source talked tough: "The reason is that it was difficult to adjust both sides' schedule due to time differences and other circumstances." But an aide to the prime minister expressed anxiety: "If (the U.S.) sets summits with the leaders of China and South Korea ahead of that with Japan, it will carry a different meaning." 5) Prime Minister Aso talks with President Obama in English over phone YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) January 30, 2009 Reportedly Prime Minister Taro Aso and President Barack Obama held their first telephone conversation in English. However, some have contended that the prime minister should have spoke in Japanese in the interests of accuracy. A Foreign Ministry interpreter attended the 10-minute telephone conversation with President Obama that Aso made from his office in the prime minister's official residence. But Aso, who is confident of his English ability, exchanged views on such issues as North Korea's nuclear program without the interpreter's help. Some question his style, with one foreign embassy official in Tokyo saying: "The native language is used even if our leader speaks Japanese fluently." However, the telephone conversation this time around was held following the inauguration of President Obama in order to confirm cooperation between the two leaders. There is also a view that he should be allowed to use English for formality's sake. 6) Far-off dispatch difficult for JCG: Aso ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) January 30, 2009 Prime Minister Aso, attending a plenary sitting of the House of Representatives yesterday, indicated that it would be difficult for the Japan Coast Guard to engage in continuous activities in the sea that is far off from Japan. Aso was replying to a question about the government's decision to send the Maritime Self-Defense Force for an antipiracy mission in waters off Somalia. "Primarily, the JCG is responsible for this," Aso stated. "Given the distance from Japan and other factors, it is difficult as a matter of fact," he added. Meanwhile, he stressed that the MSDF's deployment, which is based on an action for maritime security policing under the Self-Defense TOKYO 00000226 005 OF 011 Forces, is a temporary measure until a new law is established. 7) MSDF, JCG to conduct joint training for Somalia antipiracy mission YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) January 30, 2009 The government is considering an open joint training session of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard for an antipiracy mission in waters off Somalia, officials said yesterday. The joint drill will be conducted in Japanese waters, where an MSDF destroyer, while escorting a ship, is to encounter a "pirate ship." The destroyer will have JCG rangers onboard for judiciary procedures. 8) Vice-defense minister calls for eased weapons-use rules for anti-piracy operations TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 Vice-Defense Minister Kohei Masuda, touching on the ruling bloc's plan to submit new anti-piracy legislation to the Diet, indicated in a press conference yesterday that it is advisable to ease restrictions on the use of weapons. He said: "If as a result of discussions on the weapons-use framework for maritime policing activities (under the Self-Defense Forces Law) we find insufficiencies, I would like to see restrictions eased." 9) Defense Ministry unsettled by anti-piracy measures ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) January 30, 2009 Prime Minister Aso is keen to send the Maritime Self-Defense Force for antipiracy security policing in waters off Somalia. However, the Defense Ministry has been opposed to doing so to the last. The reason is because the Ministry is concerned about possible repercussions on Diet discussions for easing the government's weapons use guidelines. On the other hand, the MSDF, which wants to earn redemption due to a series of scandals, is positive about the mission. "The Self-Defense Forces' antipiracy mission should be based on a new law," Defense Minister Hamada said yesterday after directing the MSDF chief of staff and other MSDF brass officers to prepare for an offshore security policing order. "If the weapons use guidelines are not good enough for maritime security policing operations, we'd like the guidelines to be eased." With this, Administrative Vice Defense Minister Kohei Masuda also stressed his view in a press conference yesterday. The MSDF's maritime security policing is intended primarily for the MSDF to act in Japanese waters against unidentified vessels violating Japan's territorial waters. The Defense Ministry is strongly dissatisfied with the idea of invoking this maritime security action for antipiracy measures. "The weapons use guidelines are ambiguous," one official said, "so the commanding officer over there cannot decide what to do." Another official said, "Foreign ships will be left in the lurch?" TOKYO 00000226 006 OF 011 Hamada, who is in a position to speak for the MSDF, had to get a promise from the prime minister's office to create a new law for antipiracy measures during the current Diet session. It was a categorical imperative for Hamada's acceptance of offshore security policing. The Defense Ministry, as well as the Self-Defense Forces brass, wants the MSDF allowed under a new law for antipiracy measures to use weapons in order to carry out its duties, anticipating such cases as firing to halt pirate ships. If the government criteria of weapons use-or the so-called "rules of engagement" (ROE)-is expanded under a new law, the Defense Ministry thinks it will be reflected in a permanent law that will allow Japan in principle to send the SDF overseas as needed, an "earnest wish" according to a senior official of the Defense Ministry. In other words, if the MSDF's antipiracy offshore security policing activities obtain results, it will dampen the necessity of easing the weapons use guidelines, which is a dilemma for the Defense Ministry. This is also one of the reasons why the Defense Ministry was reluctant to send the MSDF for an antipiracy mission that is based on a maritime security policing action. Meanwhile, there were such incidents as the MSDF's cover-up of a mistaken amount of fuel supplied to U.S. naval ships and the Aegis-equipped destroyer Atago's collision with a fishing boat. The MSDF has been involved a string of incidents and scandals since the year before last. Embarking on the antipiracy mission is a chance for the MSDF to clean its tarnished image. Late this year, the government will revise the National Defense Program Guidelines. If the MSDF obtains actual results from its deployment on the antipiracy mission, it will be a "plus" to the Defense Ministry in maintaining the SDF's manning level and hardware, according to a senior official of the Defense Ministry. The government has now made a snap decision to send the MSDF for antipiracy measures. The MSDF's deployment, however, has a high risk. In Iraq and in the Indian Ocean, the SDF used to be in the rear. However, a senior Defense Ministry official noted that the SDF will be on the front for the first time. The SDF is highly likely to use weapons overseas for the first time. The MSDF may injure pirates or civilians, and MSDF members may be injured. In such eventualities, the SDF's international contributions could stray off course. 10) Defense Ministry fact-finding team off to Somalia's neighboring countries next week TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 The Defense Ministry decided yesterday to send a fact-finding team next week to Djibouti and other neighboring countries ahead of the planned dispatch of the Maritime Self-Defense Force on an anti-piracy mission in waters off Somalia, Africa. The team is expected to be composed of a dozen or so members from the MSDF, Joint Staff Office, and internal bureaus. In addition to closely checking ports and facilities to be used by the MSDF destroyers, the team will inspect airports that are fit for landings and takeoffs by P-3C patrol planes. After receiving a TOKYO 00000226 007 OF 011 report from the team, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will order the MSDF for the dispatch possibly in early March. 11) Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation to get under way MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 Akitaka Saiki, director general of the Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, now visiting South Korea, met with Kim Sook, of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's envoy and director for Korean Peninsular peace negotiations and discussed ways to resume the six-party talks. They reportedly agreed to launch cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, once a U.S. official in charge of the six-party talks is appointed. 12) Japanese, South Korean representatives agree on need to continue six-party talks YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full) January 30, 2009 Jun Kato, Seoul Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki, Japan's chief negotiator in the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear development problem, met with Kim Sook, South Korean envoy and director of Korean Peninsula peace negotiations, in Seoul yesterday. Both agreed on the importance of the six-party talks in resolving the problem. They also agreed to hold a trilateral meeting of Japan, the U.S., and South Korea immediately after the U.S. Obama administration picks its chief envoy. After meeting with Kim, Saiki told reporters that Japan has started coordination with South Korea to arrange a meeting between Kim Hon-hui, who had been arrested in the incident of the bombing of a KAL airliner, and family members of Yaeko Taguchi, an abduction victim. 13) Government trying to avoid halt of visa-free exchange program in negotiations with Russia NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 Russian authorities requested that Japanese government officials on a humanitarian mission submit disembarkation cards before landing on disputed Kunashiri Island. Since the officials rejected the request, Japan's humanitarian aid has been temporarily suspended. In an effort to resolve this problem, the government has started negotiations with Russia. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a press conference yesterday: "We are strongly calling for the other side's cooperation so that Japan will be able to resume humanitarian aid." Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau Director General Yasuaki Tanizaki is expected to meet Russian Ambassador to Japan Bely next week. Humanitarian aid to the four northern territories is part of the visa-free exchange visit program among Japanese and Russian residents on the four islands. The submission of disembarkation cards would mean that Japan accepts the Russian claim that the island belong to Russia. Given this, the officials rejected the TOKYO 00000226 008 OF 011 Russian authorities' request. The Russian government intends to continue calling for such submission in the future. If both sides fail to find common ground, the exchange program, which was introduced in 1992, might be suspended. 14) Japan's ODA slips to fifth place in 2007 MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) January 30, 2009 The Foreign Ministry on January 29 issued its 2008 Official Development Assistance White Paper. The track record of Japan's ODA in 2007 stood at approximately 7.67895 billion dollars (approximately 691.2 billion dollars),down 31 PERCENT from the preceding year. Japan's rank as an ODA donor among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) fell from third to fifth place, the second year in a row it has slipped. The figure is about 60 PERCENT of the total disbursed in 2000, when Japan's ODA reached a 10-year high. 15) Prime Minister Aso's replies in interpellations at Jan. 29 Lower House plenary session YOMIURI (Page 11) (Excerpt) January 30, 2009 Anti-piracy measures Piracy in waters off Somalia poses a threat to the international community, including Japan. It must be dealt with urgently. In view of the distance from Japan and other factors, it is actually difficult for the Japan Coast Guard to deal with the matter. The government has begun preparing to dispatch the Self-Defense Force under a maritime policing clause as an emergency step until a new law is enacted. The question of the use of weapons will be dealt with appropriately in accordance with a provision of the SDF Law. Abductees The government's policy remains unchanged to comprehensively settle outstanding issues, including the abduction, nuclear and missiles issues, settle the unfortunate past, and normalize diplomatic ties with North Korea based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration. The government will make utmost efforts for the early repatriation of all abductees by strongly urging North Korea to quickly conduct a full-fledged reinvestigation. Japan-U.S. alliance I had a telephone talk with U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday morning in which we confirmed a policy course to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and work together in addressing global issues, such as finances, the world economy, terrorism, the environment, and climate change. 16) Ruling, opposition parties using Diet interpellations for "propaganda war" targeting general election SANKEI (Page 5) (Excerpts) January 30, 2009 The Diet yesterday held a questioning session by party TOKYO 00000226 009 OF 011 representatives on Prime Minister Taro Aso's policy speech in a plenary session of the House of Representatives. Yukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),spent more time playing up his party's policies than posing questions. Meanwhile, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda bragged about the fiscal 2009 state budget. The interpellations have taken an aspect of being a "propaganda war" by the ruling and opposition parties in anticipation of the next Lower House election. "If a DPJ-led people's government is inaugurated, political and administrative systems will substantially change. Symbiosis society based on fraternalism and an independent state with dignity will be realized." Hatoyama's question seemed more like a policy speech promoting the next government than a question. He berated the cash-handout program, the Aso government's economic package, and its employment measures, while playing up the supremacy of his party's policy measures such as regulating personnel dispatch and compensating farmers' incomes. Hosoda improvised his prepared questions as follows: "I've just got a news report that the U.S. House of Representatives adopted an emergency budget after only five-hour deliberations. The U.S. Congress is great. I call on the DPJ, which has tried to prolong deliberations on the cash handout program, to deeply reflect on that." Hatoyama said: "Who is the one that keeps running away, even though he says, 'I will not run away'?" Aso responded: "I will ask for the people's vote of confidence at an appropriate time after clarifying differences in issues with the opposition camp." 17) DPJ using consumption tax issue to clobber prime minister, letting Makiko Tanaka take the podium NIKKEI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) January 30, 2009 The Diet on the 29thb began representative interpellations in the House of Representatives by each party on Prime Minister Taro Aso's policy speech. This marks the beginning of a fierce battle between the ruling and opposition camps over the fiscal 2009 budget. Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama tried to upset the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) by eliciting answers from Aso regarding such issues as a consumption tax hike and the watari practice in which ministries and agencies can arrange new jobs multiple times for retiring senior bureaucrats. Hatoyama pointed out the vague expressions in tax reform-related bills that leave room for postponing the time of implementing a tax hike after fiscal 2011. Aso, without changing his expression, said: "I will decide on when to implement a tax hike after ascertaining the economic situation. But I will do my best so that the economy will recover by fiscal 2011." As to the tax rate and implementation method, he simply said: "I will consider them in the future." Hatoyama demanded an early Lower-House dissolution, saying: "There TOKYO 00000226 010 OF 011 are no members in the LDP and New Komeito but you who want to fight the election under your leadership." Aso, however, did not give his word to Hatoyama, just saying: "I will ask for a vote of confidence at an appropriate time after clarifying what the issues will be." In order to further challenge Aso, the DPJ had former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, an independent who has joined a parliamentary group with the DPJ, take the podium to lead the attack against Aso. Tanaka urged the prime minister to quit his post, saying: "Since you always wear nice suits, you should immediately announce your resignation. If you do so, you will really be a stylish dandy." Whenever Tanaka made provocative remarks, DPJ lawmakers applauded her. DPJ President Ozawa, who had returned to the parliamentary hall before Tanaka took the floor, applauded her with a smile. Aso gave out a stare of hatred. 18) "I will not approve 'watari'," says premier, but refrains from touching on abolishing government ordinance ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) January 30, 2009 Senior government employees join public corporations or private companies after they retire their ministries or agencies - a practice called amakudari (descent from heaven). Their ministries then arrange new jobs for them multiple times, allowing them to join other companies or organizations after retiring from the original corporations or companies. This practice is called "watari" (migrant birds) Prime Minister Taro Aso during a Lower House plenary session on January 29 revealed his stance of placing a ban on such a practice. He said, "I will not grant applications for watari job referral services by ministries and agencies in view of harsh criticism from the public and discussions pursued in the Diet." He made this statement in response to Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda. Providing watari job referral services is approved as an exception under a government ordinance adopted at a cabinet meeting late last year. The prime minister has so far hinted at a possibility of approving such a practice, noting, "The government ordinance should be implemented strictly." However, with a growing number of opposition and ruling camp members seeking a ban on the practice, the prime minister changed to a policy of disapproving the implementation of the ordinance, although he rejected abolishing it. The revised National Civil Service Law, enacted in 2007, eliminated the existing ban on retired bureaucrats from joining corporations and companies linked with their ministries or agencies for two years after retirement. In the meantime, it unified job referral services carried out by each government agency into the government-private sector human resources exchange center. The center does not arrange watari job referral services. However, the law stipulates that each government agency can provide such services during the transition period until the center's operation moves into high gear, limited to cases approved by the Reemployment, Etc., Monitoring Committee, a third-party body. Appointing committee members requires Diet approval. However, it was not possible to do so with proposed appointments meeting opposition TOKYO 00000226 011 OF 011 from the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Since it became impossible to launch the committee, the government adopted an ordinance at a cabinet meeting late last year. The ordinance incorporates an article noting that former staff members can be appointed as committee members, if it is indispensable. Both the ruling and opposition camps are strongly opposed to watari job referral services. Moves to submit a lawmaker-sponsored bill or views seeking the abolition of the ordinance have surfaced. The prime minister wants to avoid criticism over his Diet reply. The ruling camp intends to accept his stance. However, the ruling parties are geared up to continue to pursue the issue with DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama saying, "If he does not approve it, it is better to abolish it." ZUMWALT