DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 03/09/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000525

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 03/09/09

INDEX:

(1) Anatomy of DPJ: Dump-Ozawa movement slowly going on (Sankei)

(2) Many challenges lie ahead for Japan's missile defense system
(Asahi)

(3) Anti-piracy manual for commercial vessels, set by international
body, seeks cooperation with militaries (Mainichi)

(4) To revitalize Tsushima, Chief cabinet secretary makes first
reference to "plan to study increasing SDF troops" (Sankei)

(5) Recipe for real alliance with U.S. (Sankei)

(6) TOP HEADLINES

(7) EDITORIALS

(8) Prime Minister's schedule, March 7 (Nikkei)

ARTICLES:

(1) Anatomy of DPJ: Dump-Ozawa movement slowly going on

SANKEI (Page 3) (Full)
March 6, 2009

Repercussions from the "Ozawa shock" are spreading even to
unexpected places in the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ).

The first state-paid secretary of DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa was
arrested on March 3 by the special investigation squad of the Tokyo
Public Prosecutors Office. New candidates on the DPJ ticket for the
next House of Representatives election in the Kanto region have put
on hold the printing of posters with the candidate's picture taken
with Ozawa.

"I can't mount the posters showing a picture with Ozawa because they
would be ill received. I have to make new posters with a picture
with some other party executive, even though making them will cost
much money."

According to DPJ sources, the plan for shooting a television
commercial in which Ozawa would appear also will likely be left in
limbo.

Based on the Public Office Election Law, there is a ban on posters
with a photo of a candidate alone from March 10, six months before
the expiration of the terms of the House of Representatives members.
Therefore, most of the candidates for the next Lower House election
had began preparing posters showing them with Ozawa. However, the
scandal involving Ozawa chief secretary has changed everything. Some
DPJ members are trying to distance themselves from Ozawa, since
there is speculation in the party that he might even step down as
president.

A young lawmaker based in Tokyo said: "After the donation scandal
was discovered, several posters with a picture taken with Ozawa were
damaged."


TOKYO 00000525 002 OF 010


In the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),there were moves to
refrain from taking a picture with Prime Minister Aso, who have been
struggling with his cabinet's low support rates.

The DPJ was just watching such a move in the LDP, as if it was
nothing to do with it. Another mid-level lawmaker dropped his
shoulders in despair and said: "It is a nightmare."

On March 5, Ozawa did not show up in any public places, shutting
himself up in his house and then in his office in Tokyo.

House of Councillors Steering Committee Chairman Takeo Nishioka
called on Ozawa at his office and they had a conversation for about
30 minutes. Asked by reporters how Ozawa was, Nishioka said: "He is
fine."

Ozawa has kept his hard-line stance. Even after he held a press
conference on March 4, he told an aide that he would not step down
from the presidency, saying: "I will resume my nationwide stumping
tour."

Kenji Hirata, secretary general of the DPJ caucus in the Upper House
who took the floor as the first questioner in a Budget Committee
session yesterday, stressed:

"I believe that the truth will be clarified and that the secretary's
innocence will be proved. In order to live up to public expectations
and to respond to the mandate of the people, we will work hard to
realize a change in government with indomitable spirit."

It is unusual for a senior opposition member to express such
determination in the Diet. It shows that the DPJ executive is trying
to contain moves to unseat Ozawa, as well as to play up the unity of
the DPJ under Ozawa's leadership. Moreover, even DPJ members who are
distancing themselves from Ozawa have ostensibly tolerated Ozawa
remaining in his post and are refraining from taking action. The
group called Isshin-kai, which can be called the Ozawa faction in
effect, cancelled a regular meeting planned for yesterday. Ozawa's
aide said: "We should better not take any action for now."

There is a growing mood in the DPJ that March 24 will become a major
watershed as to whether the arrested secretary will be indicted or
not.

A senior DPJ member predicted this way:

"If the secretary is charged, Ozawa will have no choice but to
resign voluntarily. If Ozawa tries to stay on, it will ignite a
drive to remove him from his post."

Lowe House member Akihisa Nagashima said yesterday: "If there are
facts contradicting President Ozawa's (explanations) that he has
nothing to feel guilty about, and we will have to make a new
judgment."

An aide speaking for Ozawa, who has decided to lock horns with
prosecutors, said, "We will fight until the trial." Ozawa's
determination is related to former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka,
whom Ozawa called 'father,' and former LDP Vice President Shin
Kanemaru, who had supported him, having been the targets of the
Tokyo Public Prosecutors Office.


TOKYO 00000525 003 OF 010


However, some DPJ members are raising objections against Ozawa, who
insists that prosecutors are investigating the scandal as a favor
for the government. Seiji Maehara, a vice president, said on March
5: "We should refrain from making remarks that give the public
doubts about the prosecutors."

Which will give more serious damage to the LDP: Ozawa's resignation
before the next general election or fighting the election under his
leadership? Many DPJ lawmakers are undecided.

A mid-level lawmaker was adamant: "We can fight the election under
the leadership of someone other than Ozawa. When the appropriate
time comes, we will give him the final word."

(2) Many challenges lie ahead for Japan's missile defense system

ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
March 7, 2009

Jun Tabuse, Jun Kashimoto, Hisashi Ishimatsu

A destruction order may not be publicly announced

The government is on high alert against the possible launch of a
ballistic missile by North Korea. Although chances seem slim for a
missile to land in Japan, the government is prepared to intercept it
if it is certain to cause damage here. But Japan's ballistic missile
defense (BMD) system still needs to overcome many challenges. The
government is likely to be pressed for a difficult political
decision.

"Of course, we will (intercept an incoming missile). We cannot
afford to ignore (an incoming missile) that might land in Japan,"
Prime Minister Taro Aso told an aide recently. The prime minister
also spoke to reporters on March 2: "If (a missile) directly damages
(Japan),we can deal with it matter under the Self-Defense Forces
Law." He also clearly mentioned the possibility of the defense
minister issuing an order to destroy a ballistic missile under the
SDF Law, which was so amended in 2005.

North Korea fired a Taepodong-1 missile in 1998. The missile flew
over Japan and splashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of
Sanriku (Iwate Prefecture). The Taepodong-2 missile launched by the
North in 2006 failed as it broke up in the air. What is about to
happen now is the first crisis since Japan armed itself with new
legislation and equipment to intercept an incoming missile.

The government began in 2007 the deployment of Standard Missile-3
(SM-3) sea-based missiles and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
ground-to-air guided missiles. The government has been analyzing
information based on data from Japanese and U.S. satellites. Once
there are signs of a launch, the chief cabinet secretary, deputy
chief cabinet secretaries, assistant chief cabinet secretaries,
deputy chief cabinet secretary for crisis management, and others are
to assemble at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss
countermeasures. When it is feared that a missile will fly toward
Japan, the Security Council of Japan is to be convened by the prime
minister, and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada will then issue an
order to destroy the incoming missile upon obtaining the prime
minister's approval.

When the situation changes suddenly and there is no time to seek the

TOKYO 00000525 004 OF 010


prime minister's approval, the defense minister is allowed to issue
a destruction order without a Security Council of Japan meeting.

The government does not intend to make public a destruction order
issued by the defense minister without the prime minister's
approval. In such a case, a public announcement will be made after a
missile is intercepted. This might draw criticism that civilian
control was insufficient.

A failed test

The SM-3 is designed to intercept an incoming ballistic missile
outside of the earth's atmosphere based on data from U.S.
early-warning satellites, while the ground-based Patriot Advanced
Capability 3 is designed to intercept the missile in the atmosphere
that escaped the SM-3.

The system's success rate is less than 100 PERCENT . In a test off
Hawaii in 2008, an SM-3 interceptor lost track of the target and
failed to shoot down the fired missile. The Aegis-equipped Kongo and
Chokai carry SM-3 interceptor missiles, but the former will be in
dock for overhaul until mid-March, so only the Chokai will be
available for use. PAC-3 missiles have a small engagement radius of
several dozens of kilometers. Japan will not be able to deal with a
missiles flying to a place outside the Kanto and Chubu regions where
PAC-3 missiles are deployed.

A fired missile might cause a constitutional problem, as well.

There will be no problem in intercepting a missile bound for Japan.
Shooting down a missile targeting the United States might constitute
the use of Japan's right to collective self-defense, which is
prohibited under the Constitution.

The Defense Ministry explained: "Once a missile is launched, the
system can immediately project whether it will land in Japanese
territories." A North Korean missile can reach Japan in about 10
minutes, however.

A failure to make a prompt decision on an intercept or a failed
attempt to shoot down an incoming missile might prompt the public to
ask, "Why did Japan invest so much in such a system?"

(3) Anti-piracy manual for commercial vessels, set by international
body, seeks cooperation with militaries

MAINCHI (Page 2) (Full)
March 9, 2009

The Contact Group, established by countries concerned to deal with
piracy off Somalia, East Africa, has compiled an anti-piracy manual
intended for tankers and other commercial vessels. This is the first
manual that includes specific anti-piracy measures to be taken in
the waters off Somalia. The group will adopt the manual in its
meeting in Cairo on March 17. The Maritime Self-Defense Force, which
will dispatch escort ships on a patrol mission, and the Japan Coast
Guard are expected to use the manual as a reference.

The manual specifies what action the crewmembers should take when
pirates (1) attack their ship; (2) climb aboard; and (3) use
weapons. When a ship is attacked by pirates, the manual suggests
that the ship should send an international rescue signal and zigzag

TOKYO 00000525 005 OF 010


across the sea at a speed of more than 15 knots (28 km) in order to
prevent the pirates from getting aboard. When pirates come aboard,
it proposes that the crewmembers should concentrate in one place
without putting up resistance. When pirates use weapons, the
crewmembers should put their hands on their head without pointing a
camera at them.

The manual also suggests that commercial vessels should cooperate
with the militaries deployed in waters off Somalia by enrolling
their information on the website of the European Union's (EU) force
tasked with fighting piracy in the region and by participating in
the British military's position-information system.

The Contact Group is composed of 24 countries, including Japan,
Britain and the U.S., as well as of five international
organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization
(IMO).

(4) To revitalize Tsushima, Chief cabinet secretary makes first
reference to "plan to study increasing SDF troops"

SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
March 7, 2009

South Korean firms have purchased one estate after another in
Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, as depopulation there has
progressed. On this issue, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura
indicated in a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting
yesterday a willingness to take measures to bolster the local
economy and defensive strength in the city. In replying to a
question by Eriko Yamatani, Kawamura said: "It is necessary to
consider, in view of the need for revitalizing Tsushima, the
possibility of upgrading the Self-Defense Force's facilities and
increasing its personnel." This was the government's first reference
to specific measures to revitalize Tsushima, though it had just
revealed this view until then: The government gives consideration to
its regional importance. The nation's policy toward isolated islands
may take a new turn.

In asking the question, Yamatani pointed out the importance of the
Tsushima issue and then said: "I call on the government to enact
special legislation for revitalizing isolated islands, from such
viewpoints as security and economic stimulation."

In response, Kawamura said: "The government will have to consider
the possibility of expanding SDF facilities and increasing troop
strength." With respect to measures to buoy up the local economy, he
indicated a willingness to look into additional measures, remarking:
"Full consideration must be given to the city. The government will
have to eagerly take measures on both software and hardware fronts,
following the legislative efforts to vitalize isolated islands.
Measures to promote tourism and foster human resources are also
available."

Yamatani announced a finding through a visit to Tsushima City last
December by members of "the parliamentary group to act to protect
Japanese territory," chaired by Yamatani. She showed, using a panel
board, the actual state of some sites purchased (by South Korean
firms),including a site adjacent to the Maritime Self-Defense
Force's Tsushima Defense Headquarters. She then asked for a survey
to be conducted by the government. Kawamura reiterated its
conventional view: "There is no plan to immediately start a detailed

TOKYO 00000525 006 OF 010


investigation into the actual state of land acquired by
foreigners."

Yamatani also asked about the possibility of applying the law to
restrict foreigners from obtaining land that is important in view of
national security. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada indicated a
cautious view: "I do not think there has appeared some direct
harmful effect on the security and operation of the base there. If a
negative effect appears in the future, the government will consider
that possibility."

Asked for his view about territorial issues, Prime Minister Taro Aso
replied: "The Senkaku islands, the Northern Territories, Takeshima,
and Tsushima are definitely Japan inherent territories. The
government must make a resolute response."

(5) Recipe for real alliance with U.S.

SANKEI (Page 7) (Full)
March 6, 2009

Tadae Takubo, guest professor at Kyorin University

John Antwerp MacMurray, who was at one time the most knowledgeable
expert on Asia at the U.S. Department of State, served as minister
(ambassador now) to China for five years from 1925 to 1929. In 1935,
MacMurray, as is well known, wrote a memorandum titled "How the
Peace Was Lost."

In those days, the United States was lenient toward China's
drawbacks, having strong exclusive expectations of that country's
potential. But this helped turn Japan against the United States. In
his memo, MacMurray sharply pointed out that mistake and made a
policy proposal to his home government. However, his rival, the then
director for Far Eastern affairs at the State Department, Stanley
Hornbeck, quashed the report. Later on, the United States, joining
hands with China, drove Japan into a corner. In the end, a tragedy
developed.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose Tokyo for her first
official visit abroad. To her meeting with Foreign Minister Hirofumi
Nakasone, Secretary Clinton brought a big souvenir, an invitation
for a Japan-U.S. summit meeting in Washington. This is unusual. The
meeting took place at the White House on Feb. 24. Short as the
summit meeting was, it became an occasion for Japan to show the
solidarity of the alliance with the United States to the world. I
can see the Obama administration's policy of attaching importance to
Japan. Even so, I don't know why, but I cannot be wild with joy.

In point of fact, the reason is because former Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, who has been playing a role of sorts behind the
scenes as Secretary Clinton's advisor on foreign affairs, wrote
something curious in her book that was published last year and
titled "Memo to the President Elect." She says the new
president-though he may first want to think of China when he is
going to make his first visit to East Asia-should first set foot in
Tokyo, an ally of long standing. Her recommendation goes: "When
visiting Japan, I hope he will remember to have a smile on his face,
have a souvenir in his hand, and have a fork in his pocket."
Secretary Clinton was smiling all the time during her stay and she
actually brought a big present with her for Prime Minister Aso.


TOKYO 00000525 007 OF 010


What the "fork" in Albright's words means is something like this. In
her book, Albright sets forth her cutting sarcasm, quoting a
diplomat as saying: "Japanese politicians are sophisticated, but
what they say is too boring, so I will fall asleep in the dinner
party unless I think that I'm sitting on a fork." Secretary Clinton,
wherever she went, stressed the Obama administration's stance of
regarding Japan as important, and the Japanese politicians she met
must have all alike emphasized to her how important the Japan-U.S.
alliance is. I wonder if she did not become sleepy.

What is clearly shown in "Memo to the President Elect" is a
deep-seated sense of distrust toward Japan. Albright writes that
Japan is respected in a way, but she also says China, which is "a
victim of the massacre" Japan carried out during the war, has a
grudge against Japan That is why Japan still does not have a
permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council even though it
should already qualify for it. That is why, she says in a roundabout
way, Japan has no choice but to be allied with the United States. As
seen from this wording, she nonchalantly has written something
shocking to those who would otherwise feel elated by the
reaffirmation of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Her view of history-when
it comes to Japan's prewar conduct-has something in common with
China's.

When Japan was under the Occupation, General Headquarters (GHQ) had
Government Section (GS),headed by Gen. Whitney, and Intelligence
Section, headed by Gen. Willoughby. The former was a member of the
"keep Japan weak" faction, or those who basically would never allow
Japan to again have military power. As is well known, Col. (Charles
L.) Kades, who was under Gen. Whitney, took part in the work of
drafting the Constitution of Japan. He can be classified as a member
of "keep Japan strong " faction, insisting that Japan should retain
its military power to a certain extent.

The "weak Japan" faction, of whom Albright is one, has spread
especially among those connected to the Democratic Party. Albright
writes that the United States has a military presence in Asia for
which even China is no match. She clearly states that the U.S.
military presence in the region has two objectives: defending Japan
and preventing Japan from having an independent military
capability.

Former Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, who is also a Democrat
and a close friend of former President Bush, said frankly that he
did not know why only Japan has cut its defense spending, while the
United States, South Korea, China, and Russia had substantially
increased their military spending over the past decade. Schieffer
made remarks similar to the "strong Japan" faction, when he
addressed the Japan National Press Club in January. In answering a
question, Schieffer stated: "I was disappointed at what Mr. Tamogami
(former Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff) said. What he said
was contrary to the facts; he is wrong." Schieffer has the same view
of history as Albright, who belongs to the "weak Japan" faction.

As far as the view of history is concerned, individual
perceptions-not to mention international perceptions-cannot be
unified. But if someone on the U.S. side would stand in Japan's
position and admit that what Tamogami wrote had made sense, then
what Schieffer said would fit together. The Japan-U.S. alliance
would become a real thing. The late MacMurray also should be
satisfied.


TOKYO 00000525 008 OF 010


(6) TOP HEADLINES

Asahi:
Poll: 57 PERCENT of respondents want Ozawa to resign as DPJ
president

Mainichi:
Charges likely to be filed against LDP's Nikai camp over
Nishimatsu-linked illegal donations

Yomiuri:
Poll: 53 PERCENT of polled say Ozawa should step down

Nikkei:
Fujifilm, others developing specialized products for emerging
markets

Sankei:
Nishimatsu Construction expected orders for airport construction in
Hanamaki

Tokyo Shimbun:
Poll: 61 PERCENT of respondents want Ozawa to quit

Akahata:
Rally to protect agriculture held in Hachimantai City

(7) EDITORIALS

Asahi:
(1) Prime Minister Aso, can you see "Okinawa"
(2) Need for bold purchase system for natural energies

Mainichi:
(1) Show clear grounds for Japan's share of costs for relocation of
U.S. Marines to Guam
(2) Hereditary-seat system of passing down Diet seats to descendents
should be restricted

Yomiuri:
(1) Food Safety Commission should give more explanations on cloning
technology
(2) Human resource agency for schools should improve school club
activities

Nikkei:
(1) Push forward with effort for computerization of medical receipt
system
(2) UNSC must take action in Sudan

Sankei:
(1) Tibet issue: China must promote harmony, not use armed force
(2) Great Tokyo air raids: Let us verify "wrongdoings of victors"

Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Government must show the public global warming goal
(2) U.S.-Russia foreign ministerial talks: Hope for expansion of
mood for dialogue

Akahata:
(1) ODA cooperation between public, private sectors: Direct support
for private firms unreasonable

TOKYO 00000525 009 OF 010



(8) Prime Minister's schedule, March 7

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
March 8, 2009

09:06
Departed from Haneda Airport on ANA flight 123

11:45
Arrived at Naha Airport. Received by Gov. Nakaima and others,
accompanied by LDP Senior Deputy Secretary General Hayashi.

12:37
Laid a wreath at the national cemetery for the war dead on Peace
Memorial Park in Itoman.

13:07
Paid a visit to Kohakura, a victim of the accidental detonation of
an unexploded shell in Itoman, at his home in Tomigusuku.

13:43
Met with LDP Okinawa chapter chair Kosuke Gushi and others at an
Okinawa Harborview Crowne Plaza restaurant.

14:09
Met with Okinawa construction industry association personnel at the
hotel, followed by local medical personnel, and local children.

15:24
Delivered a speech at a meeting held by the prefectural women
affairs division.

16:04
Met with Gov. Nakaima, followed by Okinawa Institute of Science
and Technology CEO Sydney Brenner and others. Afterward met with
Okinawa islands youths.

18:00
Saw a traditional Okinawa dance performance.

18:31
Toured the new international cargo terminal at Naha Airport.
Afterward met with Nakaima, prefectural women's affairs division
chief Aiko Shimajiri, and the Foreign Ministry's ambassador for
Okinawa affairs Imai.

19:16
Departed from the airport on JAL flight 922.

21:03
Arrived at Haneda Airport.

21:34
Arrived at his official residence.

Prime Minister's schedule, March 8

NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)

March 9, 2009


TOKYO 00000525 010 OF 010


10:27
Took a walk around his official residence.

14:00
Received treatment at an acupuncture clinic in Kita-aoyama.

16:08
Returned to his official residence.

ZUMWALT