JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 04/14/09

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 000839 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 04/14/09 Index: UNSC debates DPRK: 1) UN Security Council to adopt presidential statement that condemns North Korea for violating Resolution 1718 by recent rocket launch (Nikkei) 2) Prime Minister Aso took tough stance, insisting that UNSC statement mention "violation" of 1718 or it would be unacceptable to Japan (Yomiuri) 3) Government pleased with contents of UNSC presidential statement condemning DPRK (Sankei) 4) Ladder pulled out from Japan as U.S. teamed with China in the UNSC to reach compromise draft presidential statement (Asahi) Diplomacy toward U.S.: 5) Former Prime Minister ABE travels to U.S. today, highlighted by meeting with Vice President Biden (Nikkei) 6) ABE to hand Biden letter from Prime Minister Aso to President Obama backing him on non-proliferation initiative (Mainichi) 7) Foreign Ministry had letter for five years from brother of North Korea abductee Taguchi that it never delivered (Tokyo Shimbun) 8) Government coordinating package of aid to Pakistan worth $1 billion dollars (Asahi) 9) Government panel on creating a better safety net for society debates national image in first meeting (Sankei) Political agenda: 10) Two straight elections losses for DPJ-backed candidates in gubernatorial elections have eroded the "Ozawa myth" that DPJ head is strong in elections (Asahi) 11) Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmaker Maki criticized on Diet floor organization that was a rival of another organization supporting him (Asahi) 12) People's New Party throws support behind Ozawa (Asahi) Articles: 1) UNSC to adopt presidential statement against North Korea's missile launch, noting "violation of the resolution" NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) April 14, 2009 (Nakamae Hiroyuki, New York) The UN Security Council decided on the afternoon of April 13, local time, to adopt a presidential statement condemning North Korea's launch of a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile. Rejecting the North's assertion that it was a satellite launch, the draft statement describes the launch as violating a past UNSC resolution. It also demands North Korea refrain from launching any more missiles. Following an agreement reached on a draft presidential statement in outline between the five permanent UNSC member nations and Japan on the 11th, all UNSC members, including non-permanent countries, are expected to adopt the statement on the 13th after holding a plenary session the same day, if no strong objections are raised. Japan and the U.S. aimed to have the UNSC adopt a resolution, but China and Russia opposed it. These countries have defended North Korea's TOKYO 00000839 002 OF 010 assertion that it was a satellite launch. As a result, an agreement was reached on a presidential statement, which has less binding power. The draft statement does not use the word "missile" but clearly writes, "(The UNSC) condemns North Korea's launch on the 5th." 2) Prime minister pressed China for severe presidential statement, saying, "Violation must be mentioned" YOMIURI (Page 2) (Abridged slightly) April 14, 2009 It has become clear that Prime Minister Taro Aso had pressed China during the Japan-China summit on April 11 to include a severe expression in a document to be presented by the UN Security Council to North Korea that launched a missile. "As a lawmaker, I want you to think of the sentiments of the Japanese people, including those in Akita and Iwate prefectures, over which the missiles flew." With this comment, Prime Minister Aso, during their summit meeting at a Pattaya hotel in Thailand, pressed Premier Wen Jiabao for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution. Premier Wen did not give in to Aso in the meeting, which lasted more than 50 minutes over schedule. As a result, a decision was made to discuss the matter in the subsequent Japan-China-ROK summit. In the trilateral meeting, Prime Minister Aso, after indicating that he would accept a presidential statement, insisted: "It is no good unless the statement includes the word 'violation' or something like that." South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, who had met with Aso immediately before this meeting and had agreed with him, echoed the Japanese prime minister's words. This promoted Premier Wen to say eventually, "Let's leave the matter to the experts." On the government plane for home after the meeting, Prime Minister Aso was briefed by a Foreign Ministry official that an agreement had been reached on using the word "contravention." Aso asked what it meant, and the official explained: "It is a word that is used in the context of 'violation' in a treaty." Although the expression was weaker than "violation," the prime minister said, "That's fine." Before the press corps at his official residence last night, the prime minister made the following comment on the fact that the Security Council had basically agreed to adopt a presidential statement condemning North Korea's missile launch: "It is good that (the Security Council) can issue a statement in a form combining three factors: a violation of (a UN resolution),condemnation against it, and the enforcement of a UN resolution (including sanctions). This is better than a resolution with weaker wording." 3) UN Security Council presidential statement to be adopted; Government sees it as second-best option, taking substance over form SANKEI (Page 5) (Abridged slightly) April 14, 2009 TOKYO 00000839 003 OF 010 The UN Security Council, which had been discussing its response to the North Korea's latest launch of a ballistic missile, decided to adopt before dawn April 14, Japan time, a presidential statement condemning North Korea's missile launch as a violation of UN Resolution 1718. UN talks on this issue will now likely conclude. The result fell short of the Japanese government's aim of a new UNSC resolution. Despite that, the government welcomes the outcome, as seen in Prime Minister Aso's comment: "It must be welcomed that (the Security Council) has decided on a form that acknowledged (North Korea's) violation of UN resolutions, expressed condemnation against it, and is a means to ensure the resolution is properly carried out." Last evening, the prime minister was asked by the press corps at his official residence about the fact that the UN Security Council had adopted a presidential statement, instead of a new resolution, which Japan had been calling for. In response, the prime minister said: "This was better than a resolution with weaker wording." On April 13, a senior government official said: "This means that Japan took substance over (a resolution in name only). A binding resolution actually has no binding power." Because China and Russia remained cautious, Japan gave up adopting a resolution and settled on the second-best option. In the coming months, Japan intends to try to bring North Korea back to the six-party talks by applying greater pressure on it in cooperation with the United States and other countries. UN Resolution 1718, adopted in response to North Korea's missile launch in July 2006 and its nuclear test in October that year, placed a freeze on financial assets held by organizations designated as having involved in North Korea's ballistic missile program. Nevertheless, as was pointed out by the senior government official, many countries have not enforced the resolution. It is a fact that the international environment surrounding Japan today is different from that in 2006. In 2006, Japan was in a position easy to lead discussions as the chair of the UNSC. Further that year, the North launched short-range missiles, in addition to a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile. This year, the North launched only a missile which it claimed to be a satellite. There is speculation in and outside the Foreign Ministry that the United States thinks the North will repeat a missile launch and a nuclear test. For this reason, the government is believed to have decided to keep the option of applying additional sanctions on its own as a card to apply pressure on the North. 4) Japan left in the lurch as U.S., China cooperate in negotiations for a UNSC presidential statement ASAHI (Page 5) (Full) April 14, 2009 Kayo Matsushita, New York The United Nations Security Council is now expected to adopt a statement in its president's name to condemn North Korea's recent missile launch. The Japanese government takes it as a successful outcome that sends a strong message. "We will take the contents over the form," an official said. However, the United States, which was Japan's only hope, wavered in its attitude during the negotiating TOKYO 00000839 004 OF 010 process and in the end conspired (kettaku) with China. Japan was pressed then to withdraw its demand for a new UNSC resolution. At the last moment, the United States whisked the ladder away from under Japan. On April 9, Japan held consultations with permanent UNSC members. Afterward, U.N. Ambassador Yukio Takasu raised his voice unusually in front of reporters when asked about Japan's stubborn attitude, saying: "Japan maintained its standpoint. Why is this unproductive?" The United States was then working together with Japan for a new UNSC resolution. However, the United States in talks that day reached agreement with China to work instead toward adopting a UNSC presidential statement. A draft presidential statement was worked out on the spot. The draft statement was based on the United States' overtures, but it also reflected China's standpoint. The tone of Takasu's voice indicated his irritation at the United States. The United States first showed its change in policy stance on April 8, the day before that meeting. The U.S., from its bilateral consultations with China, deemed it difficult to convince China to accept a new resolution. The United States then drew up a draft presidential statement and asked Japan and South Korea to accept it. According to an informed source, Japan was reluctant to accept it, and the U.S. showed its understanding. When asked about Japan's stance of aiming for a UNSC resolution, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Wolff, who ranks next to Ambassador Rice, even said, "I believe that is appropriate." Only a half day later, however, the existence of draft presidential statement that was a joint product of the United States and China was revealed. On the first day of consultations among UNSC members, the United States took the position that the UNSC should adopt a new resolution. But day by day, the tone of the U.S. envoys continued to retreat. Japan was aware that the U.S. was thinking of reaching a settlement in the end with a presidential statement. The U.N. envoys of China and Russia also declared on April 8 that they would accept a presidential statement. Britain and France, not particular whether there was a resolution or not from the start, had no objection. Japan was then left in the lurch. The UNSC presidential statement, now expected to be adopted on April 13 (New York time),contains most of what Japan had wanted to incorporate in a new UNSC resolution. Japan asserted that the North Korean missile launch was a violation of the UNSC resolution and that there should be wording condemning North Korea. In addition, Japan took the position that a new UNSC resolution should call for North Korea to abide by the past UNSC resolution. Japan therefore set what it could not give up in its China and Russia that are negative about adopting a resolution. In the end, Japan gave way and accepted the presidential statement, according to informed sources. However, this time found the United States and China in step, and the impression left of Japan was of being isolated internationally. In 2006, when North Korea launched missiles and carried out a nuclear test, and the UNSC consulted on how to respond, Japan and the U.S. took a hard-line stance and pressed China to give way. As a result, the UNSC adopted two new resolutions. This time, there is no sense that Japan and the United States were united in their views. TOKYO 00000839 005 OF 010 The Obama administration has given priority to resolving the North Korea problem through dialogue. On that, the U.S. and China can agree. If the U.S. and China strengthen their cooperation, Japan may lose a card to pressure North Korea, namely its being backed up by the United States. 5) ABE to leave today for U.S. NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full) April 14, 2009 Former Prime Minister SHINZO ABE of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will leave Japan today for the United States. ABE will meet with Vice President Biden on April 15 to consult on North Korea's recent missile launch and other matters. He will hand over Prime Minister Taro Aso's letter addressed to President Obama. He will also meet with former Vice President Cheney and former Presidential Assistant Scowcroft to exchange views. In this connection, Aso clarified in an LDP executive meeting yesterday that he would tell Obama in a letter that Japan would make efforts in cooperation with the United States to eliminate nuclear weapons from the world. 6) Aso to send letter to Obama MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full) April 14, 2009 Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday attended an executive meeting of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, during which he clarified that he would send a letter to U.S. President Obama for cooperation in international negotiations regarding Obama's nuclear elimination strategy that was unveiled in his Prague speech on April 5. Former Prime Minister SHINZO Abe, who is scheduled to leave today for the United States, will hand the letter to Vice President Biden. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura has clarified that Japan "strongly supports" the Obama speech as the only atomic-bombed country. The letter is believed to be intended to make an appeal on the government's stance. 7) Foreign Ministry left abductee Taguchi's eldest son's undelivered letter soliciting meeting with former North Korean agent unattended for five years since it was returned by South Korea TOKYO SHIMBUN (Top Play) April 14, 2009 Tokyo Shimbun learned on April 13 that Koichiro Iizuka (32),the eldest son of Yaeko Taguchi (22 as of the time when she went missing),who was abducted by North Korea, had written a letter to former North Korean agent Kim Hyeonhee (47) asking her to meet with him, but the letter was left at the Foreign Ministry (MOFA) unattended for nearly five years. Asked by Koichiro to deliver the letter to Taguchi, MOFA entrusted it to the South Korean government to give it to Kim. However, the South Korean government did not give it to Kim and returned it to MOFA. The MOFA Northeast Asia Division did not return the letter to Koichiro. It had kept it until recently, according to several related sources. TOKYO 00000839 006 OF 010 Shigeo Iizuka (70),Taguchi's brother, who along with Koichiro, met Kim in March, does not intend to take the case as a problem. He said, "I feel uncomfortable, but I will not make a case over it." However, critical views, such as that MOFA's response lacks consideration to the family of the abductee, are beginning to be heard among some government officials. It is believed that Taguchi, who was abducted in 1978, taught Japanese to Kim from 1981 through 1983. According to the government source, the letter was entrusted to then Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka Saiki (now bureau director general) in late February 2004 and handed to the South Korean government. However, since the South Korean government was adopting an appeasement policy to North Korea at the time, it did not give the letter to Kim. It returned it to MOFA in April the same year. Koichiro and Shigeo on March 11 for the first time met with Kim in Pusan, South Korea. Kim during the meeting said that she did not receive Koichiro's letter, revealing that the letter had been kept at MOFA. MOFA on the 12th returned the letter to Koichiro through Cabinet Secretariat Abduction Issue Countermeasures Headquarters. The letter contains Koichiro's feelings to Taguchi, telling Kim that he wants to hear about his mother from her and imprint the image of his mother in his heart. The MOFA Northeast Asia Division noted that it is impossible to make a reply at the present stage, because it has not yet received a reply from the Cabinet Secretariat, with which coordination is needed. 8) Coordination underway on 100 billion yen in assistance to Pakistan ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) April 14, 2009 It has been learned that the Japanese government is under final coordination on 1 billion dollars (approximately 100 billion yen) in assistance to Pakistan, which it will announce in a Pakistan donors meeting, which will be held on April 17. The meeting will be jointly hosted by the Japanese government and the World Bank. Of the 1 billion dollars, 70-80 percent will be provided in yen loans and the remaining in grand aid and technical cooperation. The Japanese government plans to use the 1 billion dollars for anti-poverty measures and support for education. Pakistan agreed last fall to receive 7.6 billion dollars (approximately 760 billion yen) in an emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In order to cover the shortfall, about 30 countries and international organizations will discuss measures to provide 4 billion dollars (approximately 400 billion yen) over two years. Japan will bear one-forth of the whole. Administrative Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka stressed at a press conference yesterday: "It is considerably significant for Japan to hold an international conference for Pakistan." 9) Discussion of image of Japan: First meeting of Peace of Mind TOKYO 00000839 007 OF 010 Realization Council SANKEI (Page 2) (Full) April 14, 2009 The government on the evening of April 13 held at the Kantei the first meeting of the Peace of Mind Realization Council designed for experts from the private sector to portray the future image of Japan. Prime Minister Taro Aso designated Yutaka Narita, supreme adviser to Dentsu Inc., to chair the panel. Showing the members a blue print of what a peace of mind society would like like, Aso asked them to set goals for major policy proposals and sort out their priorities. The prime minister in a speech given at the outset of the meeting said, "I would like you to discuss not only individual policies but also what image of a state Japan should aim at." Finance Minister, State Minister for Financial Services and State Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kaoru Yosano, who planned the meeting, stressed, "I would like you to pursue discussions freely from a transcendental standpoint. You don't need to give consideration to any specific parties or the cabinet's standpoint or interests." He also noted, "The rampancy of criticizing others or making complaints in increasing vehemence has deteriorated mutual trust. I would like to see the panel serve as a venue to widely arouse people's interest in the way responsibility should be taken and the way efforts should be made." He thus asked panel members to compile proposals without fear of being criticized. Several members then pointed out that the Koizumi cabinet's structural reform line has spread social and income disparities. Others criticized the small government initiative. In the meantime, many members voiced views in favor of the prime minister's pet argument that it is necessary to shoulder a medium-sized burden in order to aim for medium-sized welfare program. A hike in the consumption tax to secure stable resources to fund social security will likely top the agenda of future meetings. The panel will compile a report before the end of June. The prime minister will reflect the report in basic policy guidelines on economic and fiscal management and structural reforms for the fiscal 2009 national budget as well as in the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) manifesto for the next Lower House election the aim being differentiating the LDP from the Democratic Party of Japan. The panel has 15 members, such as former Internal Affairs Minister Hiroya Masuda. Toyota Motors Chairman Fujio Cho, Japanese Trade Union Confederation Chairman Tsuyoshi Takagi and Fuji Sankei Communications Group Chairman Hisashi Hieda. The prime minister, Yosano and Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura attended from the government. 10) DPJ suffers two successive defeats in gubernatorial elections; Dark clouds seem to be over idea of Ozawa being strong in elections ASAHI (Page 4) (Excerpts) April 14, 2009 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) candidates were defeated in succession in the gubernatorial elections in Chiba and Akita prefectures. DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa has yet to find a way to TOKYO 00000839 008 OF 010 turn around the situation that has resulted from an illegal political fund scandal involving his chief secretary. For the ruling coalition, as well, the outcomes of "small-scale unified local elections" were not good. Both ruling and opposition parties appear to be unable to find a favorable political wind to ride on. In the April 12 Akita gubernatorial race, the candidate backed by the DPJ prefectural chapter became the runner-up. The DPJ failed to cooperate in the election with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Japan Trade Unions Confederation (Rengo). DPJ headquarters and the party's Akita prefectural chapter lacked cooperative ties. Before the start of the official campaign for the Akita election, Ozawa expressed his annoyance, saying: "I received no word from the prefectural chapter." He did not send any senior party officials to the prefecture to support the candidate. Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, who has continued to deny Ozawa's responsibility for the election outcome, told reporters yesterday: "It was regrettable. In order to fight the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito, all our party members must play ball." All the more because the series of victories in the House of Councillors election and by-elections for the House of Representatives have been the basis for Ozawa's hold over the main opposition party, the consecutive defeats in the two gubernatorial elections are setbacks for him. With these defeats, Ozawa has failed to grab the initiative for turning around the situation. The work of coordinating candidates seems to be delaying in the DPJ. Ozawa will lead the selection of a candidate for a Lower House by-election for the Aichi No. 1 constituency to fill a seat fell vacant as an incumbent lower chamber member to run in the mayoral election of Nagoya City. A senor party member, however, said: "It will take some time for the selection." The DPJ has picked its candidate for a Lower House by-election for the Kanagawa No. 1 electoral district. Since the small opposition People's New Party (PNP) has fiercely rebutted to the DPJ pick, dark clouds are casting a shadow over the coalition of the two parties. Ozawa has refrained from stumping nationwide more than one month after the arrest of his state-funded secretary. As he is enthusiastic about resuming his campaign tour, he will likely to hit the road for the April 26 Nagoya mayoral election. Some party members, however, are pessimistic about such an idea, with one saying: "I will have to spend much time explaining the fund-raising scandal during campaign speeches." Hatoyama admits the difficulty of turning around the situation. In a party hosted by Lower House member Yosuke Kondo, who had pointed out in a meeting of the party's Lower House members the lack of Ozawa's explanations, Hatoyama said: "Many members who were silent (in the meeting) might have applauded (in their minds)." 11) DPJ member Maki in Diet criticized rival of company, his supporter; He is being investigated for suspected abuse of postal discount ASAHI (Top Play) (Excerpts) April 14, 2009 House of Representatives member Yoshio Maki of the Democratic Party of Japan made a statement in a Diet interpellation criticizing a TOKYO 00000839 009 OF 010 rival group of Hakusankai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, a welfare business support organization that was investigated in a suspected case of abuse of a postal discount offered to disability support groups. The organization's chairman has long supported Maki and has made political donations to his office. The criticized group was investigated by Japan Post Service Co. and was forced to suspend regular publications that had been sent illegally using the discount system. Meanwhile, Hakusankai has still continued its business. According to informed sources, the organization has increased clients for direct mail (DM) advertisements. Maki made the statement in question during a meeting of the Lower House Economy and Industry Committee on May 23, 2008. Citing regular publications that had been sent by three disability support groups in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, and other locations, under the postal discount system, he pointed out that such publications were carrying advertisements of invigorating drugs and erotic goods. He criticized the publications as a hotbed of vicious business practices and sought Japan Post to take countermeasures. The blamed group formed a partnership with an advertisement firm in Amagasaki and sent publications illegally using the discount system. But the group reportedly was engaged in fierce price competition with Hakusankai and Shinsei-Kigyo Co., an advertising agency in pursuit of orders for advertisements. The special investigation squad of the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office has arrested and indicted the president and other executives of Shinsei-Kigyo on suspicion of violating the Postal Law. Japan Post cancelled its authorization to Hakusankai for use of the discount system, claiming that it abused the system and demanding several hundred millions of yen as avoided postage payment. This February, the organization was raided by the special investigation squad in connection with a case involving Shinsei-Kigyo. According to several sources, the chairman of Hakusankai has long been a supporter of lawmaker Maki. His name was on the executive lists of several companies between 1997 and 2002. In addition, a man involved in managing Hakusankai was calling himself as a secretary to Maki for a certain period. The Hakusankai chairman provided the DPJ's chapter in Aichi Constituency No. 4, represented by Maki, with 120,000 yen in February, 2007 under the name of a private investigation agency in which the chairman serves as president. Maki was first elected to the Diet in 2000 after serving as secretary to a lawmaker. He is now in his third term. In October of last year, it was revealed that he had received funds from a political group in the multilevel marketing industry. 12) New Party Nippon leader Tanaka supports Ozawa; "Ozawa indispensable for next Lower House election," he says ASAHI (Page 4) (Full) April 14, 2009 New Party Nippon Representative Yasuo Tanaka contributed an article to the April 17 issue of the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) public relations newspaper, "Press DPJ." In it, Tanaka revealed his TOKYO 00000839 010 OF 010 support for DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, although there are calls for Ozawa to step down over the indictment of his secretary for violating the Political Funds Control Law over donations to his fund management organization. The dominant view now in the DPJ is that Ozawa should continue serving as party head, but depending on the result of the next House of Representatives election, (he should decide whether to quit his party post). Tanaka, however, intends to fully support him. He wrote in his article: "I will make strenuous efforts for President Ozawa in the final battle." Ozawa and Tanaka agreed in 2007 to form a unified parliamentary group in the House of Councillors. Since then, the two have maintained a good relationship, holding meetings. After the arrest of Ozawa's secretary, Tanaka has called on Ozawa to give him suggestions. The DPJ asked Tanaka to contribute an article to the Press DPJ, which has carried articles attacking the prosecutors. Tanaka unveiled his view in the article: "An Ozawa-led administration, which would completely change the present systems for appointments, budgets, and bills, will be feared by academic, political, bureaucratic circles;" and, "They will smile if a DPJ-led government does not include Ozawa." Referring to the DPJ's defeat in the Akita gubernatorial election, Tanaka stressed: "Ozawa's management capability and casting skills will be indispensable for the general election." ZUMWALT