Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO753
2009-04-03 01:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/03/09
VZCZCXRO8323 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #0753/01 0930113 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 030113Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2022 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5// RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21// RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA RUAYJAA/CTF 72 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5676 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3330 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7126 RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 1031 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3872 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8600 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4628 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4472
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000753
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 04/03/09
Index:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000753
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 04/03/09
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
U.S-Japan relations:
4) President Obama to visit Japan, China in the latter part of this
year (Nikkei)
5) Obama's trip to Japan this year underscores priority placed on
relationship, aims to further strengthen alliance (Nikkei)
Pyongyang rocket:
6) Japan, U.S., South Korea agree that if North Korea launches
missile, they will seek new UNSC resolution with sanctions against
that country (Asahi)
7) Defense Minister Hamada, Defense Secretary Gates in telephone
conference agree to cooperate closely on DPRK missile launch,
respond coolly (Tokyo Shimbun)
8) North Korea's "satellite" rocket lacks a control system, hides
real intent of testing warhead-capable missile (Sankei)
9) Government analysis about mock-satellite rocket concludes that it
could be armed at some point with a nuclear warhead (Sankei)
10) North Korea deploying jets to the area around missile test,
likely for MD-reconnaissance purpose (Sankei)
11) EU commander of anti-piracy operations in waters off Somalia
welcomes MSDF to the effort of dealing with pirate attacks on
commercial ships (Yomiuri)
Aso's G-20 diplomacy:
12) Prime Minister Aso announces ODA package for Africa at the G-20
Summit in London (Yomiuri)
13) Aso taking pains to display his diplomatic presence at the G-20
meeting (Nikkei)
14) Japan's presence at the G-20 being outshined by other leaders
(Mainichi)
15) Aso ends up at the end of the protocol line at the G-20
(Sankei)
16) Aso meets Russian president briefly at the G-20 and puts in a
plug for the northern territories being discussed during Putin visit
later this year (Nikkei)
17) Yomiuri's annual poll finds 52 PERCENT of Japanese favoring
amending the Constitution (Yomiuri)
18) Government and ruling camp plan to present the supplemental
budget with stimulus package to the Diet on April 27 (Tokyo
Shimbun)
19) Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Hatoyama emerges as
party head Ozawa's chief backer to stay on despite cool attitude of
others toward that idea (Yomiuri)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi: Tokyo Shimbun:
G-20 vows 500 billion yen fiscal expansion: IMF funds to be
reinforced
TOKYO 00000753 002 OF 011
Mainichi: Nikkei: Sankei:
G-20 seeks world growth of over 2 PERCENT in 2010
Yomiuri:
G-20 aims to push growth up 4 PERCENT through fiscal spending
Akahata:
Health ministry found to have cut back on nursing-care expenditures,
by changing method of recognizing those who need nursing care
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) U.S.-Russia relations reset: Speed up efforts to go to the next
stage
(2) Yokohama case: History of errors made by law courts
Mainichi:
(1) U.S.-Russia summit: Take step to abolish nuclear weapons
(2) High school baseball tournament: Final game inspiring
Yomiuri:
(1) Financial summit: Discord concealed with priority given to
solidarity
(2) U.S.-Russia summit: Fulfill responsibility to prevent nuclear
proliferation
Nikkei:
(1) Financial summit: Resolve to find way to overcome crisis
indicated
Sankei:
(1) G-20 and North Korea: Tighten noose around North Korea to
prevent its missile launch
(2) New Israeli administration: Avoid friction with international
community
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Financial summit: G-20 as center of global economy
(2) U.S.-Russia summit: time to take action for nuclear disarmament
Akahata:
(1) Guam base agreement: Scrap it through conclusive Diet
deliberations
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, April 2 &2
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
April 1
Night
Attended a summit meeting on a project to protect tropical rain
forests, hosted by Prince Charles at his official residence in
London. Attended a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at
Buckingham Palace. Met with Indian Prime Minister Singh at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence. Attended a dinner party hosted by
British Prime Minister Brown. Stayed at the Intercontinental London
Park Lane.
TOKYO 00000753 003 OF 011
April 2
Morning
Attended a breakfast meeting at the Excel Center, the hall for the
summit. Posed for photos with other leaders. Chatted with Russian
President Medvedev while standing. Attended the first-round plenary
session of the financial summit.
Afternoon Attended a working luncheon meeting. Attended the
second-round plenary session.
4) U.S. President Obama to visit Japan this year to stress
importance placed on Japan, aiming to strengthen alliance
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
Eve., April 2, 2009
By Tadashi Oishi in Washington
President Obama's decision to visit Japan later this year comes from
concern that his going only to China for a summit meeting, as agreed
on April 1st, would give the impression that he was "bypassing
Japan." There are many important policy areas for Japan-U.S.
cooperation, including overcoming the financial crisis and finding
measures to deal with the piracy problem, so the aim seems to be to
express the importance of Japan in a visible way and further
strengthen the alliance relationship.
5) President Obama to come to Japan later this year as part of Asia
trip that includes China
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
Eve., April 2, 2009
It was learned today that President Obama plans to visit Japan later
this year for a summit meeting with Japan's prime minister.
According to a source in the U.S. government, the schedule will now
be nailed down in coordination with a planned visit to China. The
Japanese government has been informed. Although the timeframe for
the visit has not yet been set, the outlook is that it will be after
the next general election, according to a U.S. government source, in
order to reaffirm with the new administration in Japan such policy
courses as the strengthening of the bilateral relationship.
6) Japan, U.S., South Korea to aim at UNSC resolution with sanctions
if North Korea launches missile
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Yoshihiro Makino, Seoul
Japan, the United States, and South Korea have decided that in the
event North Korea launches a ballistic missile under the name of a
satellite, they would immediately call a UN Security Council meeting
for the purpose of adopting a new resolution asking all countries to
strictly implement a sanctions resolution adopted in 2006 in the
wake of the North's nuclear test.
According to some relevant sources, this policy course was proposed
by the United States in a trilateral meeting held in Washington on
March 27. Japan and South Korea basically agreed to the plan.
Further, President Barack Obama conveyed this policy to South Korean
President Lee Myung Bak in a U.S.-ROK summit held in London on April
TOKYO 00000753 004 OF 011
2, according to South Korean government authorities.
The position of China and Russia, permanent UN Security Council
members with veto power, is that a satellite launch does not
constitute a violation of past UN resolutions. As such, adopting a
new sanctions resolution seems difficult. (Japan, the U.S., and
South Korea) are believed to have decided to aim at a resolution
reconfirming the past resolution that has a better chance for
adoption.
The reality is that many countries have not implemented the 2006 UN
sanctions resolution. "Reconfirming (the old resolution) would be as
significant as adopting a new one," a concerned source said.
It is still unclear whether China and Russia will agree to a
resolution of such contents. Many observers think the Security
Council would settle in the end on a chairman's statement which has
no binding force.
7) Hamada, Gates confirm that Japan, U.S. will calmly deal with
North Korean missile launch in close cooperation
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada spoke with U.S. Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates on the phone yesterday. In their conversation,
the two leaders confirmed that in the event North Korea launched a
long-range ballistic missile in the guise of a satellite, Japan and
the United States would deal with the matter in close cooperation.
Secretary Gates told Hamada: "The situation this time would provide
a chance for our two countries to improve our operational
coordination and cooperation. I would like to see continued
cooperation in missile defense (MD)." Defense Minister Hamada
replied: "I agree with you."
Secretary Gates also said: "Washington is ready to announce that the
launch, although the North is claiming to be a satellite, would be a
violation of UN Security Council resolutions."
The telephone conversation took place at the request of the U.S.
side.
8) N. Korea seems to have no ground control facility for its
"satellite"
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
North Korea has now entered the final stage of preparations to
launch an advanced Taepodong-2 long-range-ballistic missile that it
claims to be an "artificial satellite." But it has yet to be
confirmed that North Korea has a ground-based receiving and
controlling station that is needed to adjust the orbit of a
"satellite" if it deorbits, sources familiar with military affairs
between Japan and the United States revealed yesterday. This means
that "its payload, given it is a satellite, cannot be controlled
after it is launched," according to a government source. This seems
to indicate that North Korea will test-fire a missile as a means of
delivering a warhead rather than putting a "satellite" in orbit.
TOKYO 00000753 005 OF 011
In February, North Korea announced plans to launch the "Kwang Myong
Song 2," an experimental communications satellite, on the "Unha 2,"
a launching vehicle. In March, North Korea joined the Space Treaty,
which stipulates basic rules for its signatories to use outer space,
and that country also joined the Convention on Registration of
Objects Launched into Outer Space, asserting that its planned
missile launch is intended to "use outer space for peaceful
purposes."
But the United States and South Korea still have not confirmed the
existence of any ground control facility despite intensified
surveillance with reconnaissance satellites, according to the
sources familiar with military affairs between Japan and the United
States. A control facility adjusts an orbited satellite by moving it
up or down.
According to the sources and experts, a large receiving antenna and
a tracking radar system are needed on the ground to stabilize an
orbiting satellite.
Meanwhile, North Korea may insist that it has only to orbit a
satellite even though it does not have any control facilities.
However, a government source notes that once a satellite is
launched, it cannot play any role without facilities to control it.
"Even if its warhead payload is a satellite, it will soon fall out
of orbit and burn up," a person connected to the U.S. government
said.
9) North Korean missile launch may be a test for loading nuclear
warhead; Observation helped government's response
SANKEI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
There is strong analysis that North Korea has no facility to control
a satellite's orbit. As a result, the view has emerged in the
government that the purpose of the planned missile launch is a test
for loading a nuclear warhead rather than for the operation of a
satellite. This view is said to have propelled the government's
steps to date, such as the deployment of PAC-3 ground-to-air guided
missiles. Japan, the United States and South Korea intend to demand
that Pyongyang, which claims the missile to be a satellite, disclose
such information as to whether it has a control facility.
The government has not been totally free from doubt from the
beginning.
In Security Council meetings, held as necessary since early
February, Prime Minister Taro Aso has repeatedly instructed relevant
government agencies to make completely certain that what the North
was planning to launch was not a satellite.
In August 1998, when the North launched a Taepodong-1 ballistic
missile, Pyongyang continued to insist that it was satellite
Kwangmyongsong-1. The Korean Central News Agency reported on October
1 that year that the satellite was visible to naked eyes anywhere in
North Korea. In reaction, a Japan-U.S. military affairs source
mockingly said: "What kind of eyesight does it take to see the
satellite that is flying at an altitude of nearly 300 kilometers?"
This time around, the North has again stubbornly insisted that it is
about to launch a satellite. Helped by strong analysis that the
TOKYO 00000753 006 OF 011
North does not have a ground station to control a satellite, the
government has concluded that even if a satellite is mounted on the
warhead, it is the same as a missile launch basically.
10) North Korea moves fighters to area near missile base to
reconnoiter MD system
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
North Korean fighters are reconnoitering the Self-Defense Force's
(SDF) missile defense (MD) system, according to informed sources
yesterday. North Korea is apparently aiming to get information on
the position of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF)
Aegis-equipped destroyers now stationed in the Sea of Japan and
other details of Japan's MD system. It has also been learned that
the North has mobilized its fighters to the area near the base in
which North Korea are preparing to launch a long-range ballistic
missile, which it claims a satellite. The SDF is on high alert,
keeping in mind a possible provocative action by Pyongyang before a
missile is launched.
The SDF has completed preparations to shoot down an upgraded
long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile that North Korea plans to
launch or its booster in the event that such objects fall on
Japanese territory or waters. Two Aegis-equipped destroyers have
been deployed to the Sea of Japan. The SDF has also been making
stricter precautions by mobilizing electronic reconnaissance
aircraft, such as the MSDF's EP3 designed to collect signals from
North Korean telecommunications and electronic equipment.
North Korea has moved Mig-23 and other fighter planes from another
base to an area near the missile-launch base in Musudan-ri located
near the Sea of Japan as of April 1. On the 2nd, several fighters
flied over the Sea of Japan. The flights are seen to have been aimed
to check the position of the two destroyers and the flight
conditions of EP-3.
The North Korean fighters have not entered the Air Defense
Identification Zone, in which unauthorized incursions are subject to
scrambles by Air Self-Defense Force's fighters. North Korea has
about 590 combat aircraft, including Mig-23 and Mig-29.
11) EU commander welcomes MSDF's activities in Somalia waters
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
Saki Ouchi, Northwood, Britain
British Royal Navy Rear Adm. Phillip Jones, who commands the
headquarters for "Operation Atalanta," an antipiracy campaign of the
European Union, welcomed the security activities of Maritime
Self-Defense Force destroyers in waters off Somalia. "Even if there
are 100 naval ships, that is not enough to ensure perfect security,"
Jones told the Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview on April 1 at the
headquarters in Northwood. "Every country's contribution is
important," the admiral added.
According to the headquarters, the "danger zone" in waters off
Somalia is 4 million square kilometers, about 10 times larger than
Japan. There are eight EU naval vessels in Somalia waters. In
TOKYO 00000753 007 OF 011
addition, there are also vessels from such countries as Japan,
China, and Russia, convoying their respective merchant ships. All
included, there are about 25 naval vessels being engaged in warning
activities.
"It's important for various countries to share the big picture of
what is going on in the sea," Jones said, stressing the importance
of collaborations. He also said the EU naval forces are about to
carry out unprecedented cooperation with China and other countries
that are under different political regimes, noting that such
cooperation is for such purposes as: 1) coordinating to use vessels
and other limited resources in an effective way; and 2) sharing
experiences for what was effective in cracking down on pirates.
Asked about cooperation with the MSDF, he said, "They are trying to
learn our experiences in a serious manner." With this, he indicated
that there is no problem about cooperation with the MSDF.
12) Prime Minister Aso announces ODA to Asia
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Hiroshi Oyama, London
Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday announced that Japan would
continue contributing to recovery of the world economy, revealing
the plan to provide Asian countries with as much as 2 trillion yen
in official development assistance (ODA),as well as additional
economic stimulus measures, during a series of meetings with leaders
of the second financial summit.
Aso stressed that in order for economic recovery, Asia needs to
become an open growth center. He formally announced his government's
policy of providing as much as 2 trillion yen in ODA, including 300
billion yen in yen loans for emergency financial aid to Asian
countries. He also revealed that Japan would extend 22 billion
dollars in two years to developing countries by using trade
insurance.
13) Aso aims to demonstrate presence in financial summit by
announcing assistance plan for developing countries
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
Nakayama, London
Group of 20 (G-20) economies' leaders held their second-round
meeting (on April 1-2) in London. The framework of G-20 financial
summit is now likely to be set in as a regular forum for
industrialized and emerging countries to discuss global challenges.
Those calling for expanding the Group of Eight (G-8) summit may be
encouraged by this development.
The amount of time given to each speaker is limited in an
international conference joined by more than 20 leaders. In the
financial summit, Prime Minister Aso announced Japan's new plans to
provide developing countries with 22 billion dollars in financial
assistance for trade and Asian countries with 20 billion dollars in
government official assistance (ODA) funds. Aso apparently was
aiming to play up his presence, anticipating that the G-20 will
become a major international forum.
TOKYO 00000753 008 OF 011
In the latest G-20 summit, though, U.S. President Barack Obama, who
made his debut on the international stage, was in the limelight.
Bilateral meetings held by Obama were reported in the media of
various countries. Meanwhile, Japan, which is saddled to the issue
of North Korea's expected missile launch, was unable to hold
bilateral summit meetings with any UN permanent member nations,
including the U.S. and Russia.
14) G-20 closes: Cooperation with sources of contention left
unsettled
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
Participants in the 2nd emergency summit (financial summit) joined
by leaders of the Group of 20 Nations (G-20) reached an agreement
that participating countries take a concerted action to bring the
ailing global economy around and realize a growth rate of over 2
PERCENT in 2010. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
estimates the growth of the global economy in 2009 to be between
minus 0.5 PERCENT and minus 1 PERCENT . It is indispensable to
implement economic stimulus measures, including large-scale public
spending, in order to achieve the goal. Whether G-20 nations can
shore up the global economy through concerted action depends on how
they are going to tackle the task of reaching the goal
Japan presence slight
Since Prime Minister Taro Aso is confident that the strong assets he
brings are the domestic economy and his diplomacy, his enthusiasm
for the financial summit is more robust than that of most other
leaders. During the first round of the financial summit in
Washington in November last year, he came up with a proposal for
extending loans to the IMF worth up to 100 billion dollars and
encouraged other participants to make similar contributions.
He was once eager to host the next fnancial summit in Japan. His pet
argument is that drastic public spending is necessary to shore up
the economy. He had thought that showing Japan's presence, by
explaining his efforts, such as that he has ordered the compilation
of additional stimulus measures, including a fiscal 2009 extra
budget, would lead to Japan fulfilling a leading role.
However, it was London that was picked as the host nation for the
ongoing summit. The G-20 was the venue for. President Obama's first
European tour since taking office. The scheduled launch of a
long-range ballistic missile by North Korea is close at hand. As
such, Aso during summit meetings with various countries focused on
promoting international cooperation over the missile issue. He had
to refrain from discussing economic issues.
For this reason, Aso during the dinner meeting on the 1st made a
strong appeal on the importance of stimulus measures, based on
Japan's experience after the collapse of the bubble economy. He
tried to enhance Japan's presence by announcing assistance to
developing countries and measures to promote trade, saying, "Japan
wants to assist Asia as the growth center."
Japan will expand Asia-bound official development assistance (ODA)
to roughly 20 billion dollars. It will also expand trade insurance
for trade with developing countries to about 22 billion dollars over
TOKYO 00000753 009 OF 011
two years.
15) G-20: Prime minister at bottom of protocol order
SANKEI (Page 4) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Morimichi Imabori, London,
Prime Minister Taro Aso has been placed at the bottom of the
protocol order at the G-20.
The rank order of participants in terms of the order of their making
a statement and the like is decided in the order of head of state
and then chief executive, as well as in accordance with the length
of the time since taking office. Prime Minister Aso is the chief
executive. His tenure is the shortest among the 20 leaders. For this
reason, he is the first among the G-20 leaders to enter the
conference hall for the financial summit-related meetings and the
last person to leave.
He is taking it as a matter of fact, saying, "That is the rule."
However, some sources accompanying Aso on his visit to London said
with a sigh, "Japan is a major donor, and yet ..."
16) Aso chatted with Russian president while standing
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Prime Minister Taro Aso chatted with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev while standing for a short time at an interval during the
financial summit on April 2. Medvedev indicated that the Northern
Territorial issue would be discussed when Prime Minister Putin
visits Japan in May. He said: "Economic issues are expected to be
high on the agenda, but we would like to discuss other important
pending issues, as well."
Aso said: "I am looking forward to talking in the next G-8 summit in
Italy in July about what we discussed in our previous meeting." He
expressed his anticipation about progress on the territorial issue
in their next meeting, keeping in mind that he had asked the
president in their February meeting in Sakhalin to present Russia's
reply on the issue of ownership of the Northern territories in the
next G-8 summit.
17) Poll: 52 PERCENT favor constitutional revision
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
According to findings from a recent face-to-face nationwide public
opinion survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun on March 14-15, a
total of 51.6 PERCENT or a majority of the respondents think it
would be better to amend the Constitution, with 36.1 PERCENT
thinking it would be better not to amend it. In a survey taken in
March last year, negative answers accounted for 43.1 PERCENT , with
affirmative ones at 42.5 PERCENT . In the survey this time, however,
those in favor of constitutional revision again outnumbered those
not. This is presumably because many more people actually feel a gap
between the Constitution and the realities, given such factors as an
increasing number of overseas missions for the Self-Defense Forces
TOKYO 00000753 010 OF 011
and political stagnation resulting from the standoff between the
ruling and opposition parties in the Diet that has been divided with
the ruling camp dominating its lower chamber and the opposition camp
controlling its upper chamber.
The "Constitution" survey has been conducted since 1981. In the
1993-2007 polls, those in favor of amending the Constitution
outnumbered those not. However, the proportion of those in favor of
amending the Constitution began decreasing after peaking at 65.0
PERCENT in 2004. Last year, affirmative answers were less than
negative ones. This time around, the pro-revision percentage
rebounded.
In the survey, respondents were also asked about Constitution
Article 9, which stipulates that Japan renounces war and possesses
no war potential. In response to this question, 38 PERCENT said "it
should be amended because interpretation or implementation can no
longer meet the realities," up from 31 PERCENT in last year's
survey. "Meet the realities with interpretation or implementation"
accounted for 33 PERCENT (36 PERCENT in last year's survey),and
"strictly abide by the Constitution, avoid meeting the realities
with interpretation or implementation" at 21 PERCENT (24 PERCENT
in last year's survey).
18) Government, ruling coalition to submit supplementary budget for
fiscal 2009 as early as April 27
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
The government and ruling parties yesterday launched coordination
with an eye to submitting to the Diet a supplementary budget for
fiscal 2009 as early as April 27. The outlook originally was for the
extra budget to be submitted after the consecutive holidays in May.
The government and ruling camp appear to have determined to speed up
the submission plan, aiming at early passage of the extra budget.
It is being rumored in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
that the House of Representatives would be dissolved in May, after
the extra budget clears the Diet. Prime Minister Aso, too, expressed
his intention in a press conference on March 31 that if
deliberations on the budget were prolonged by protests from the
opposition bloc, he would dissolve the Lower House.
However, should the passage of the budget be delayed even after Aso
decides to dissolve the Lower House in May, the Lower House election
will come close to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election (July
12),a situation that the New Komeito, the LDP's junior coalition
partner, wants to avoid. The LDP appears to have given consideration
to the New Komeito by moving up presentation of the budget to late
April.
The supplementary budget may clear the Diet in the middle of May if
the government and ruling camp can win cooperation from the main
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). A senior LDP member
said: "(The prime minister's decision to dissolve the Lower House)
will reach a crucial stage in mid-May."
19) DPJ's Hatoyama and close to President Ozawa back him, but rest
of party cool
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
TOKYO 00000753 011 OF 011
April 4, 2009
In an attempt to ease criticism of Ichiro Ozawa's decision to
continue serving as president of the Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ),party lawmakers close to Ozawa are actively engaged in
activities to support Ozawa, holding study sessions with experts
critical of the investigation of the special investigation squad of
the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors.
The study group called "Group to Realize a Change in Government" led
by DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama invited Nobuo Gohara, a
professor emeritus at Meijo University and former prosecutor, to a
study session held at Hatoyama's office in Tokyo to hear
questionable points in the special investigation squad's prosecution
regarding the Political Funds Control violation scandal involving
Ozawa's fund management organizations. The study session was
attended by about 30 DPJ members, including members from another
group made up of junior House of Representatives members, called the
Isshin-kai. Hatoyama has revealed that his party will set up an
investigation team of experts from outside the party and verify the
use of Ozawa's political funds, the way the investigation was
carried out by the prosecutors, and media reports.
On the night of April 1, Hatoyama invited Ozawa to his meeting with
the DPJ vice presidents, providing a meeting between Ozawa and vice
presidents who dealt with the fundraising scandal.
Ozawa has been mostly staying at a hotel in Yaesu, Tokyo. He has
often met party employees and lawyers, except holding regular press
conferences and meeting Upper House Steering Committee Chairman
Takeo Nishioka and Lower House member Takeshi Shina representing
Iwate Prefecture, Ozawa's home town. According to a source connected
with the DPJ, since the party accepted his decision to remain in his
party post, Ozawa appears to be paying more attention to
developments in the prosecution's case rather than to moves in the
party.
ZUMWALT
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 04/03/09
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
U.S-Japan relations:
4) President Obama to visit Japan, China in the latter part of this
year (Nikkei)
5) Obama's trip to Japan this year underscores priority placed on
relationship, aims to further strengthen alliance (Nikkei)
Pyongyang rocket:
6) Japan, U.S., South Korea agree that if North Korea launches
missile, they will seek new UNSC resolution with sanctions against
that country (Asahi)
7) Defense Minister Hamada, Defense Secretary Gates in telephone
conference agree to cooperate closely on DPRK missile launch,
respond coolly (Tokyo Shimbun)
8) North Korea's "satellite" rocket lacks a control system, hides
real intent of testing warhead-capable missile (Sankei)
9) Government analysis about mock-satellite rocket concludes that it
could be armed at some point with a nuclear warhead (Sankei)
10) North Korea deploying jets to the area around missile test,
likely for MD-reconnaissance purpose (Sankei)
11) EU commander of anti-piracy operations in waters off Somalia
welcomes MSDF to the effort of dealing with pirate attacks on
commercial ships (Yomiuri)
Aso's G-20 diplomacy:
12) Prime Minister Aso announces ODA package for Africa at the G-20
Summit in London (Yomiuri)
13) Aso taking pains to display his diplomatic presence at the G-20
meeting (Nikkei)
14) Japan's presence at the G-20 being outshined by other leaders
(Mainichi)
15) Aso ends up at the end of the protocol line at the G-20
(Sankei)
16) Aso meets Russian president briefly at the G-20 and puts in a
plug for the northern territories being discussed during Putin visit
later this year (Nikkei)
17) Yomiuri's annual poll finds 52 PERCENT of Japanese favoring
amending the Constitution (Yomiuri)
18) Government and ruling camp plan to present the supplemental
budget with stimulus package to the Diet on April 27 (Tokyo
Shimbun)
19) Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Hatoyama emerges as
party head Ozawa's chief backer to stay on despite cool attitude of
others toward that idea (Yomiuri)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi: Tokyo Shimbun:
G-20 vows 500 billion yen fiscal expansion: IMF funds to be
reinforced
TOKYO 00000753 002 OF 011
Mainichi: Nikkei: Sankei:
G-20 seeks world growth of over 2 PERCENT in 2010
Yomiuri:
G-20 aims to push growth up 4 PERCENT through fiscal spending
Akahata:
Health ministry found to have cut back on nursing-care expenditures,
by changing method of recognizing those who need nursing care
2) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) U.S.-Russia relations reset: Speed up efforts to go to the next
stage
(2) Yokohama case: History of errors made by law courts
Mainichi:
(1) U.S.-Russia summit: Take step to abolish nuclear weapons
(2) High school baseball tournament: Final game inspiring
Yomiuri:
(1) Financial summit: Discord concealed with priority given to
solidarity
(2) U.S.-Russia summit: Fulfill responsibility to prevent nuclear
proliferation
Nikkei:
(1) Financial summit: Resolve to find way to overcome crisis
indicated
Sankei:
(1) G-20 and North Korea: Tighten noose around North Korea to
prevent its missile launch
(2) New Israeli administration: Avoid friction with international
community
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Financial summit: G-20 as center of global economy
(2) U.S.-Russia summit: time to take action for nuclear disarmament
Akahata:
(1) Guam base agreement: Scrap it through conclusive Diet
deliberations
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, April 2 &2
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
April 1
Night
Attended a summit meeting on a project to protect tropical rain
forests, hosted by Prince Charles at his official residence in
London. Attended a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at
Buckingham Palace. Met with Indian Prime Minister Singh at the Prime
Minister's Official Residence. Attended a dinner party hosted by
British Prime Minister Brown. Stayed at the Intercontinental London
Park Lane.
TOKYO 00000753 003 OF 011
April 2
Morning
Attended a breakfast meeting at the Excel Center, the hall for the
summit. Posed for photos with other leaders. Chatted with Russian
President Medvedev while standing. Attended the first-round plenary
session of the financial summit.
Afternoon Attended a working luncheon meeting. Attended the
second-round plenary session.
4) U.S. President Obama to visit Japan this year to stress
importance placed on Japan, aiming to strengthen alliance
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpt)
Eve., April 2, 2009
By Tadashi Oishi in Washington
President Obama's decision to visit Japan later this year comes from
concern that his going only to China for a summit meeting, as agreed
on April 1st, would give the impression that he was "bypassing
Japan." There are many important policy areas for Japan-U.S.
cooperation, including overcoming the financial crisis and finding
measures to deal with the piracy problem, so the aim seems to be to
express the importance of Japan in a visible way and further
strengthen the alliance relationship.
5) President Obama to come to Japan later this year as part of Asia
trip that includes China
NIKKEI (Page 1) (Excerpt)
Eve., April 2, 2009
It was learned today that President Obama plans to visit Japan later
this year for a summit meeting with Japan's prime minister.
According to a source in the U.S. government, the schedule will now
be nailed down in coordination with a planned visit to China. The
Japanese government has been informed. Although the timeframe for
the visit has not yet been set, the outlook is that it will be after
the next general election, according to a U.S. government source, in
order to reaffirm with the new administration in Japan such policy
courses as the strengthening of the bilateral relationship.
6) Japan, U.S., South Korea to aim at UNSC resolution with sanctions
if North Korea launches missile
ASAHI (Page 1) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Yoshihiro Makino, Seoul
Japan, the United States, and South Korea have decided that in the
event North Korea launches a ballistic missile under the name of a
satellite, they would immediately call a UN Security Council meeting
for the purpose of adopting a new resolution asking all countries to
strictly implement a sanctions resolution adopted in 2006 in the
wake of the North's nuclear test.
According to some relevant sources, this policy course was proposed
by the United States in a trilateral meeting held in Washington on
March 27. Japan and South Korea basically agreed to the plan.
Further, President Barack Obama conveyed this policy to South Korean
President Lee Myung Bak in a U.S.-ROK summit held in London on April
TOKYO 00000753 004 OF 011
2, according to South Korean government authorities.
The position of China and Russia, permanent UN Security Council
members with veto power, is that a satellite launch does not
constitute a violation of past UN resolutions. As such, adopting a
new sanctions resolution seems difficult. (Japan, the U.S., and
South Korea) are believed to have decided to aim at a resolution
reconfirming the past resolution that has a better chance for
adoption.
The reality is that many countries have not implemented the 2006 UN
sanctions resolution. "Reconfirming (the old resolution) would be as
significant as adopting a new one," a concerned source said.
It is still unclear whether China and Russia will agree to a
resolution of such contents. Many observers think the Security
Council would settle in the end on a chairman's statement which has
no binding force.
7) Hamada, Gates confirm that Japan, U.S. will calmly deal with
North Korean missile launch in close cooperation
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada spoke with U.S. Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates on the phone yesterday. In their conversation,
the two leaders confirmed that in the event North Korea launched a
long-range ballistic missile in the guise of a satellite, Japan and
the United States would deal with the matter in close cooperation.
Secretary Gates told Hamada: "The situation this time would provide
a chance for our two countries to improve our operational
coordination and cooperation. I would like to see continued
cooperation in missile defense (MD)." Defense Minister Hamada
replied: "I agree with you."
Secretary Gates also said: "Washington is ready to announce that the
launch, although the North is claiming to be a satellite, would be a
violation of UN Security Council resolutions."
The telephone conversation took place at the request of the U.S.
side.
8) N. Korea seems to have no ground control facility for its
"satellite"
SANKEI (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
North Korea has now entered the final stage of preparations to
launch an advanced Taepodong-2 long-range-ballistic missile that it
claims to be an "artificial satellite." But it has yet to be
confirmed that North Korea has a ground-based receiving and
controlling station that is needed to adjust the orbit of a
"satellite" if it deorbits, sources familiar with military affairs
between Japan and the United States revealed yesterday. This means
that "its payload, given it is a satellite, cannot be controlled
after it is launched," according to a government source. This seems
to indicate that North Korea will test-fire a missile as a means of
delivering a warhead rather than putting a "satellite" in orbit.
TOKYO 00000753 005 OF 011
In February, North Korea announced plans to launch the "Kwang Myong
Song 2," an experimental communications satellite, on the "Unha 2,"
a launching vehicle. In March, North Korea joined the Space Treaty,
which stipulates basic rules for its signatories to use outer space,
and that country also joined the Convention on Registration of
Objects Launched into Outer Space, asserting that its planned
missile launch is intended to "use outer space for peaceful
purposes."
But the United States and South Korea still have not confirmed the
existence of any ground control facility despite intensified
surveillance with reconnaissance satellites, according to the
sources familiar with military affairs between Japan and the United
States. A control facility adjusts an orbited satellite by moving it
up or down.
According to the sources and experts, a large receiving antenna and
a tracking radar system are needed on the ground to stabilize an
orbiting satellite.
Meanwhile, North Korea may insist that it has only to orbit a
satellite even though it does not have any control facilities.
However, a government source notes that once a satellite is
launched, it cannot play any role without facilities to control it.
"Even if its warhead payload is a satellite, it will soon fall out
of orbit and burn up," a person connected to the U.S. government
said.
9) North Korean missile launch may be a test for loading nuclear
warhead; Observation helped government's response
SANKEI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
There is strong analysis that North Korea has no facility to control
a satellite's orbit. As a result, the view has emerged in the
government that the purpose of the planned missile launch is a test
for loading a nuclear warhead rather than for the operation of a
satellite. This view is said to have propelled the government's
steps to date, such as the deployment of PAC-3 ground-to-air guided
missiles. Japan, the United States and South Korea intend to demand
that Pyongyang, which claims the missile to be a satellite, disclose
such information as to whether it has a control facility.
The government has not been totally free from doubt from the
beginning.
In Security Council meetings, held as necessary since early
February, Prime Minister Taro Aso has repeatedly instructed relevant
government agencies to make completely certain that what the North
was planning to launch was not a satellite.
In August 1998, when the North launched a Taepodong-1 ballistic
missile, Pyongyang continued to insist that it was satellite
Kwangmyongsong-1. The Korean Central News Agency reported on October
1 that year that the satellite was visible to naked eyes anywhere in
North Korea. In reaction, a Japan-U.S. military affairs source
mockingly said: "What kind of eyesight does it take to see the
satellite that is flying at an altitude of nearly 300 kilometers?"
This time around, the North has again stubbornly insisted that it is
about to launch a satellite. Helped by strong analysis that the
TOKYO 00000753 006 OF 011
North does not have a ground station to control a satellite, the
government has concluded that even if a satellite is mounted on the
warhead, it is the same as a missile launch basically.
10) North Korea moves fighters to area near missile base to
reconnoiter MD system
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
North Korean fighters are reconnoitering the Self-Defense Force's
(SDF) missile defense (MD) system, according to informed sources
yesterday. North Korea is apparently aiming to get information on
the position of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF)
Aegis-equipped destroyers now stationed in the Sea of Japan and
other details of Japan's MD system. It has also been learned that
the North has mobilized its fighters to the area near the base in
which North Korea are preparing to launch a long-range ballistic
missile, which it claims a satellite. The SDF is on high alert,
keeping in mind a possible provocative action by Pyongyang before a
missile is launched.
The SDF has completed preparations to shoot down an upgraded
long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile that North Korea plans to
launch or its booster in the event that such objects fall on
Japanese territory or waters. Two Aegis-equipped destroyers have
been deployed to the Sea of Japan. The SDF has also been making
stricter precautions by mobilizing electronic reconnaissance
aircraft, such as the MSDF's EP3 designed to collect signals from
North Korean telecommunications and electronic equipment.
North Korea has moved Mig-23 and other fighter planes from another
base to an area near the missile-launch base in Musudan-ri located
near the Sea of Japan as of April 1. On the 2nd, several fighters
flied over the Sea of Japan. The flights are seen to have been aimed
to check the position of the two destroyers and the flight
conditions of EP-3.
The North Korean fighters have not entered the Air Defense
Identification Zone, in which unauthorized incursions are subject to
scrambles by Air Self-Defense Force's fighters. North Korea has
about 590 combat aircraft, including Mig-23 and Mig-29.
11) EU commander welcomes MSDF's activities in Somalia waters
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
Saki Ouchi, Northwood, Britain
British Royal Navy Rear Adm. Phillip Jones, who commands the
headquarters for "Operation Atalanta," an antipiracy campaign of the
European Union, welcomed the security activities of Maritime
Self-Defense Force destroyers in waters off Somalia. "Even if there
are 100 naval ships, that is not enough to ensure perfect security,"
Jones told the Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview on April 1 at the
headquarters in Northwood. "Every country's contribution is
important," the admiral added.
According to the headquarters, the "danger zone" in waters off
Somalia is 4 million square kilometers, about 10 times larger than
Japan. There are eight EU naval vessels in Somalia waters. In
TOKYO 00000753 007 OF 011
addition, there are also vessels from such countries as Japan,
China, and Russia, convoying their respective merchant ships. All
included, there are about 25 naval vessels being engaged in warning
activities.
"It's important for various countries to share the big picture of
what is going on in the sea," Jones said, stressing the importance
of collaborations. He also said the EU naval forces are about to
carry out unprecedented cooperation with China and other countries
that are under different political regimes, noting that such
cooperation is for such purposes as: 1) coordinating to use vessels
and other limited resources in an effective way; and 2) sharing
experiences for what was effective in cracking down on pirates.
Asked about cooperation with the MSDF, he said, "They are trying to
learn our experiences in a serious manner." With this, he indicated
that there is no problem about cooperation with the MSDF.
12) Prime Minister Aso announces ODA to Asia
YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Hiroshi Oyama, London
Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday announced that Japan would
continue contributing to recovery of the world economy, revealing
the plan to provide Asian countries with as much as 2 trillion yen
in official development assistance (ODA),as well as additional
economic stimulus measures, during a series of meetings with leaders
of the second financial summit.
Aso stressed that in order for economic recovery, Asia needs to
become an open growth center. He formally announced his government's
policy of providing as much as 2 trillion yen in ODA, including 300
billion yen in yen loans for emergency financial aid to Asian
countries. He also revealed that Japan would extend 22 billion
dollars in two years to developing countries by using trade
insurance.
13) Aso aims to demonstrate presence in financial summit by
announcing assistance plan for developing countries
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
Nakayama, London
Group of 20 (G-20) economies' leaders held their second-round
meeting (on April 1-2) in London. The framework of G-20 financial
summit is now likely to be set in as a regular forum for
industrialized and emerging countries to discuss global challenges.
Those calling for expanding the Group of Eight (G-8) summit may be
encouraged by this development.
The amount of time given to each speaker is limited in an
international conference joined by more than 20 leaders. In the
financial summit, Prime Minister Aso announced Japan's new plans to
provide developing countries with 22 billion dollars in financial
assistance for trade and Asian countries with 20 billion dollars in
government official assistance (ODA) funds. Aso apparently was
aiming to play up his presence, anticipating that the G-20 will
become a major international forum.
TOKYO 00000753 008 OF 011
In the latest G-20 summit, though, U.S. President Barack Obama, who
made his debut on the international stage, was in the limelight.
Bilateral meetings held by Obama were reported in the media of
various countries. Meanwhile, Japan, which is saddled to the issue
of North Korea's expected missile launch, was unable to hold
bilateral summit meetings with any UN permanent member nations,
including the U.S. and Russia.
14) G-20 closes: Cooperation with sources of contention left
unsettled
MAINICHI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2009
Participants in the 2nd emergency summit (financial summit) joined
by leaders of the Group of 20 Nations (G-20) reached an agreement
that participating countries take a concerted action to bring the
ailing global economy around and realize a growth rate of over 2
PERCENT in 2010. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
estimates the growth of the global economy in 2009 to be between
minus 0.5 PERCENT and minus 1 PERCENT . It is indispensable to
implement economic stimulus measures, including large-scale public
spending, in order to achieve the goal. Whether G-20 nations can
shore up the global economy through concerted action depends on how
they are going to tackle the task of reaching the goal
Japan presence slight
Since Prime Minister Taro Aso is confident that the strong assets he
brings are the domestic economy and his diplomacy, his enthusiasm
for the financial summit is more robust than that of most other
leaders. During the first round of the financial summit in
Washington in November last year, he came up with a proposal for
extending loans to the IMF worth up to 100 billion dollars and
encouraged other participants to make similar contributions.
He was once eager to host the next fnancial summit in Japan. His pet
argument is that drastic public spending is necessary to shore up
the economy. He had thought that showing Japan's presence, by
explaining his efforts, such as that he has ordered the compilation
of additional stimulus measures, including a fiscal 2009 extra
budget, would lead to Japan fulfilling a leading role.
However, it was London that was picked as the host nation for the
ongoing summit. The G-20 was the venue for. President Obama's first
European tour since taking office. The scheduled launch of a
long-range ballistic missile by North Korea is close at hand. As
such, Aso during summit meetings with various countries focused on
promoting international cooperation over the missile issue. He had
to refrain from discussing economic issues.
For this reason, Aso during the dinner meeting on the 1st made a
strong appeal on the importance of stimulus measures, based on
Japan's experience after the collapse of the bubble economy. He
tried to enhance Japan's presence by announcing assistance to
developing countries and measures to promote trade, saying, "Japan
wants to assist Asia as the growth center."
Japan will expand Asia-bound official development assistance (ODA)
to roughly 20 billion dollars. It will also expand trade insurance
for trade with developing countries to about 22 billion dollars over
TOKYO 00000753 009 OF 011
two years.
15) G-20: Prime minister at bottom of protocol order
SANKEI (Page 4) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Morimichi Imabori, London,
Prime Minister Taro Aso has been placed at the bottom of the
protocol order at the G-20.
The rank order of participants in terms of the order of their making
a statement and the like is decided in the order of head of state
and then chief executive, as well as in accordance with the length
of the time since taking office. Prime Minister Aso is the chief
executive. His tenure is the shortest among the 20 leaders. For this
reason, he is the first among the G-20 leaders to enter the
conference hall for the financial summit-related meetings and the
last person to leave.
He is taking it as a matter of fact, saying, "That is the rule."
However, some sources accompanying Aso on his visit to London said
with a sigh, "Japan is a major donor, and yet ..."
16) Aso chatted with Russian president while standing
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
Prime Minister Taro Aso chatted with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev while standing for a short time at an interval during the
financial summit on April 2. Medvedev indicated that the Northern
Territorial issue would be discussed when Prime Minister Putin
visits Japan in May. He said: "Economic issues are expected to be
high on the agenda, but we would like to discuss other important
pending issues, as well."
Aso said: "I am looking forward to talking in the next G-8 summit in
Italy in July about what we discussed in our previous meeting." He
expressed his anticipation about progress on the territorial issue
in their next meeting, keeping in mind that he had asked the
president in their February meeting in Sakhalin to present Russia's
reply on the issue of ownership of the Northern territories in the
next G-8 summit.
17) Poll: 52 PERCENT favor constitutional revision
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
April 3, 2009
According to findings from a recent face-to-face nationwide public
opinion survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun on March 14-15, a
total of 51.6 PERCENT or a majority of the respondents think it
would be better to amend the Constitution, with 36.1 PERCENT
thinking it would be better not to amend it. In a survey taken in
March last year, negative answers accounted for 43.1 PERCENT , with
affirmative ones at 42.5 PERCENT . In the survey this time, however,
those in favor of constitutional revision again outnumbered those
not. This is presumably because many more people actually feel a gap
between the Constitution and the realities, given such factors as an
increasing number of overseas missions for the Self-Defense Forces
TOKYO 00000753 010 OF 011
and political stagnation resulting from the standoff between the
ruling and opposition parties in the Diet that has been divided with
the ruling camp dominating its lower chamber and the opposition camp
controlling its upper chamber.
The "Constitution" survey has been conducted since 1981. In the
1993-2007 polls, those in favor of amending the Constitution
outnumbered those not. However, the proportion of those in favor of
amending the Constitution began decreasing after peaking at 65.0
PERCENT in 2004. Last year, affirmative answers were less than
negative ones. This time around, the pro-revision percentage
rebounded.
In the survey, respondents were also asked about Constitution
Article 9, which stipulates that Japan renounces war and possesses
no war potential. In response to this question, 38 PERCENT said "it
should be amended because interpretation or implementation can no
longer meet the realities," up from 31 PERCENT in last year's
survey. "Meet the realities with interpretation or implementation"
accounted for 33 PERCENT (36 PERCENT in last year's survey),and
"strictly abide by the Constitution, avoid meeting the realities
with interpretation or implementation" at 21 PERCENT (24 PERCENT
in last year's survey).
18) Government, ruling coalition to submit supplementary budget for
fiscal 2009 as early as April 27
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2009
The government and ruling parties yesterday launched coordination
with an eye to submitting to the Diet a supplementary budget for
fiscal 2009 as early as April 27. The outlook originally was for the
extra budget to be submitted after the consecutive holidays in May.
The government and ruling camp appear to have determined to speed up
the submission plan, aiming at early passage of the extra budget.
It is being rumored in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
that the House of Representatives would be dissolved in May, after
the extra budget clears the Diet. Prime Minister Aso, too, expressed
his intention in a press conference on March 31 that if
deliberations on the budget were prolonged by protests from the
opposition bloc, he would dissolve the Lower House.
However, should the passage of the budget be delayed even after Aso
decides to dissolve the Lower House in May, the Lower House election
will come close to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election (July
12),a situation that the New Komeito, the LDP's junior coalition
partner, wants to avoid. The LDP appears to have given consideration
to the New Komeito by moving up presentation of the budget to late
April.
The supplementary budget may clear the Diet in the middle of May if
the government and ruling camp can win cooperation from the main
opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). A senior LDP member
said: "(The prime minister's decision to dissolve the Lower House)
will reach a crucial stage in mid-May."
19) DPJ's Hatoyama and close to President Ozawa back him, but rest
of party cool
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
TOKYO 00000753 011 OF 011
April 4, 2009
In an attempt to ease criticism of Ichiro Ozawa's decision to
continue serving as president of the Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ),party lawmakers close to Ozawa are actively engaged in
activities to support Ozawa, holding study sessions with experts
critical of the investigation of the special investigation squad of
the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors.
The study group called "Group to Realize a Change in Government" led
by DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama invited Nobuo Gohara, a
professor emeritus at Meijo University and former prosecutor, to a
study session held at Hatoyama's office in Tokyo to hear
questionable points in the special investigation squad's prosecution
regarding the Political Funds Control violation scandal involving
Ozawa's fund management organizations. The study session was
attended by about 30 DPJ members, including members from another
group made up of junior House of Representatives members, called the
Isshin-kai. Hatoyama has revealed that his party will set up an
investigation team of experts from outside the party and verify the
use of Ozawa's political funds, the way the investigation was
carried out by the prosecutors, and media reports.
On the night of April 1, Hatoyama invited Ozawa to his meeting with
the DPJ vice presidents, providing a meeting between Ozawa and vice
presidents who dealt with the fundraising scandal.
Ozawa has been mostly staying at a hotel in Yaesu, Tokyo. He has
often met party employees and lawyers, except holding regular press
conferences and meeting Upper House Steering Committee Chairman
Takeo Nishioka and Lower House member Takeshi Shina representing
Iwate Prefecture, Ozawa's home town. According to a source connected
with the DPJ, since the party accepted his decision to remain in his
party post, Ozawa appears to be paying more attention to
developments in the prosecution's case rather than to moves in the
party.
ZUMWALT